![How to Fix Discord Error 20012 — Installation Failed [2026]](/images/blog/discord-error-20012-hero.webp)
Discord Error 20012: Installation Failed
Quick fix: Completely remove old Discord — Press Win + R > %appdata% > delete the Discord folder. Full step-by-step below.
What Causes Discord Error 20012?
Discord error 20012 (Installation Failed) can be triggered by several issues:
- Corrupted Discord installation files
- Previous Discord not fully uninstalled
- Antivirus blocking installation
- Insufficient permissions
- Windows Installer service issues
| Cause | Best fix |
|---|---|
| Corrupted Discord installation files | Completely remove old Discord |
| Previous Discord not fully uninstalled | Run installer as Administrator |
| Antivirus blocking installation | Disable antivirus temporarily |
| Insufficient permissions | Clear Windows temp files |
| Windows Installer service issues | Reinstall via Discord PTB |
How to Fix Discord Error 20012 — Step by Step
Completely remove old Discord
Press Win + R > %appdata% > delete the Discord folder.
Press Win + R > %localappdata% > delete the Discord folder.
Restart your computer, then reinstall Discord.
Run installer as Administrator
Right-click the Discord setup file > Run as administrator. This ensures it has full permissions to install.
Disable antivirus temporarily
Your antivirus may quarantine Discord files during installation. Temporarily disable it, install Discord, then re-enable and add Discord to the exceptions list.
Clear Windows temp files
Press Win + R > %temp% > delete all files in the folder (skip any in use). Then retry the installation.
Reinstall via Discord PTB
If the main installer fails, try Discord PTB (Public Test Build) from discord.com/api/downloads/distributions/app/installers/latest?channel=ptb&platform=win&arch=x64. PTB uses a different installer that often works when the main one doesn't.
Prefer we just handle it for you? Leave your email — a tech replies fast.
Remote fix, same-day, from $119.99. No fix, no fee.
Still Getting Error 20012?
IT Cares can diagnose and fix this error remotely — usually in under 30 minutes.
Can't fix it yourself? Skip the trial-and-error.
Our certified bilingual tech remotes in, reads your system logs, and resolves it on the spot — same day, from $119.99. No fix, no fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Discord error 20012 happen?
Leftover files from a previous Discord installation conflict with the new installer. A complete cleanup of AppData folders fixes it in most cases.
Do I lose my Discord data?
No. Your messages, servers, and friends list are stored on Discord's servers, not your computer. Reinstalling only affects the local app.
Can I use Discord Web while fixing this?
Yes. Visit discord.com/app in any browser for full Discord access while you fix the desktop app.
Why does antivirus flag Discord?
Discord's auto-updater and overlay features trigger some antivirus heuristics. These are false positives — Discord is safe.
What if none of the fixes work?
Try installing Discord Canary (the alpha version). If even Canary fails, there may be a deeper Windows Installer problem — run sfc /scannow first.
Comments
Have a question about error 20012? Leave a comment below.
Leave a Comment