How To Get Discord to Work at Your School or College

Evan Gower April 2, 2023

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When you are at a school, college, or governmental institution, chances are that your access to certain websites is limited. This is especially true for social platforms or content sharing websites that can exchange sensitive data. Since Discord is both, your school or college probably won’t allow you to visit download it or even visit the website.

How To Get Discord to Work at Your School or College

Thankfully, there are options online that can help you to bypass this issue and use the app even if it’s initially blocked. It mostly depends on the type of block and your preferences. This article will explain how to use Discord in school even if it seems impossible at first.

Use a VPN to Access Discord

If the web filters on your school’s computer recognize web proxy servers, you need to take anonymous browsing up a notch. In this case, you need to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

The difference between a VPN and web proxy is simple. The web proxy server can only handle the traffic that goes through the web browser and the web site that you’ve entered. On the other hand, a VPN can mask your entire device and your IP address. This also includes software that is not related to the web browser, such as the Discord app.

For the sake of tutorials, let’s cover how to get started using a VPN to access Discord on your work or school network.

Assuming you aren’t already, login to your school or work network.
After creating an account with ExpressVPN and logging in, open up the app and click on the Connect button.
If you want a specific region to connect in or a list of recommended locations, click on the ellipsis menu button (the three horizontal dots) and then select VPN Locations.
Now that you’re connected to your ExpressVPN network, go to Discord using either the app or browser and login.

Try the Browser App

Sometimes, computers in schools and colleges don’t block any specific app. Instead, they simply prevent users from downloading an executable (EXE) file, which prevents you from installing the app (like Discord) on the computer.

Before you move on to more complex options, you should check if this is the case for you. If it is, the solution is easy. Discord has a web browser app that acts almost the same as the regular app, except that you can use your browser to log in instead of downloading it.

Go to the web browser version of the app. If it loads, you can just type in your credentials and wait for the app to load. Then, you should be able to use the app in the browser with the same features as if you downloaded it. But if it doesn’t load, you’ll have to move on to more complex methods.

Copy the IP Address (Windows Only)

Some schools use keyword-based content blockers to prevent you from accessing websites. Instead of blocking the VPN, these tools will block certain words that a website may contain. This is one of the easiest ways for schools to block websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Fortunately, you can avoid content blockers easily if you’re on Windows.

Click the Start menu, start typing ‘command prompt’ until the icon shows up in the task menu, and click on it to open the Command Prompt.
Now, type ‘ping discordapp.com’ and press Enter.
This should display the website’s IP address.
Then, copy the IP in the Google Search Bar and hit Enter, you should hopefully see a page similar to the one shown below.

This should avoid keyword blocker.

Use a Web Proxy

A web proxy server should be enough for you to bypass the filters in your school or college and access the Discord web site and app.

This method hides your public IP address and it routes all web traffic through different servers. If you can open the web proxy server normally on your school’s computer, you will be able to use it to gain access to the Discord website.

Keep in mind that you should use reliable and secure web proxy servers. For example, Hidester is user-friendly and completely free. Once you open this web proxy, just copy the Discord website URL and press the ‘Surf anonymously’ button. When the browser takes you to the Discord web app, just log in and use it without downloading the EXE file.

Other than Hidester, you can try out Hide.me, Proxysite, Kproxy, and Whoer. They are all secure, free, and extremely simple. They mostly work on the same principle, too.

Install Discord from External Storage

If the browser in your school blocks certain websites and doesn’t allow downloads, you can try and install the app from external storage. Download the Discord app from another network – for example, at home – and transfer it to the computer via an SD card or USB drive.

If you’re in luck, you’ll be able to set up the app on your computer and use it without the need to access the web browser. Some school and college computers allow the installation of files, while some will ask for the administrator’s permission.

Use Discord App from Another Device

Unless the router in your school blocked Discord’s IP address specifically, you should still be able to use the app on other devices. For example, you can download Discord from the Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iTunes). Set it up on your phone or tablet and you can use it regardless of the web browser’s restrictions.

Utilize the Alpha Testing Version of Discord

Often times, the frontrunner versions of programs go left unchecked when institutions block them. If you’re lucky enough, then your school or workplace neglected to limit access to the Alpha version on Discord.

Try accessing canary.discordapp in your browser, hopefully this works for you. If you have issues with typing it out, then use the IP method mentions above and type ‘ping canary.discordapp‘ into your Command Prompt and copy the IP address for use.

Use a TOR Mirror

As mentioned in the comments, you can try your luck with a TOR mirror to access Discord on a school or work network that has banned it from access/use. The success of this method will vary depending on your network’s firewalls and other security measures.

You might have to try several different mirrors in order for this method to work.

Browse Carefully

There’s a reason why schools and other institutions block websites like Discord. These sites are a distraction, and they allow students to share sensitive data. You should be particularly careful when you’re using a VPN, as certain websites and executable files contain malicious data which can harm the computer and get you into trouble. So, even if you can bypass these blocks, make sure to use your skills responsibly.

Remember, if you can easily search of a way to workaround their firewalls and website restrictions, then so can your school/work administrators. If they’re diligent, then nothing remains effective forever.

Are there any other ways to bypass filters in colleges and schools? Share your tips with other readers in the comments below.