Has your Discord server ever crashed during a great chat or special event? That can certainly be a stressful situation, but don't fret. Sometimes it is just a matter of following some basic steps and maintaining your cool in order to keep your community together.
"Hey friends, looks like Discord is having some issues and I'm sorting it out. Please be patient!" Or something to that effect.
If Discord itself is down, maybe use backup spaces like Twitter or Reddit or Telegram to send out an update to people don't feel lost.
• Restarting the app
• Clearing their cache
• Taking airplane mode on and off (mobile)
In the meantime, you can check bots, logs, and server settings. If it's a big issue, tell them to check the status checker for confirmation.
The next time Discord is down, think of it as a chance to showcase your leadership. Your members will trust you even more.
Identify why Discord is out of service.
First, you should determine why Discord is down. Is it for everyone down, or just your server? Sometimes traffic can cause Discord to hang, or a bot can cause an issue in your server. At this point, navigate to a Discord status check to determine if the issue is global or local. This is an easy way to rule things out, prevent wasted time, and avoid panic. Just make sure you are reading the correct location!Keep Calm and Communicate with Members.
As a moderator, your voice carries weight. If you keep calm when Discord goes down and interferes with your community, others will tend to follow your lead. Just a quick note to let them know you are aware of the issue is all it takes. Something brief like:"Hey friends, looks like Discord is having some issues and I'm sorting it out. Please be patient!" Or something to that effect.
If Discord itself is down, maybe use backup spaces like Twitter or Reddit or Telegram to send out an update to people don't feel lost.
Monitor Updates Closely
Watch Discord’s official status page or Twitter page closely. Sometimes people report things quicker than the official team. Keep an eye on both methods to stay in the know.Encourage Members to Attempt Basic Troubleshooting
You aren't required to fix everything. Encourage members to all try:• Restarting the app
• Clearing their cache
• Taking airplane mode on and off (mobile)
In the meantime, you can check bots, logs, and server settings. If it's a big issue, tell them to check the status checker for confirmation.
Get Ready for Next Time
There will be downtime again; however, you can be prepared. Here are some ways to be prepared:- Create a step by step guide for mods on what to do during downtime.
- Set up alerts with bots to monitor downtime.
- Do a run through with your mod team so that everyone knows their part.
Final Thoughts
Server downtime does not have to be a death sentence for your community. If you keep calm, update people, and have a backup plan, what was once seen as a stressful moment is now a break.The next time Discord is down, think of it as a chance to showcase your leadership. Your members will trust you even more.
