Everybody that works or stays within schools, colleges, and governmental institutions understands that their access to certain websites and platforms is restricted. This may be to reduce distraction or prevent the unauthorized exchange of sensitive data. If the website or platform is a content-sharing platform or a social network, this restriction is more likely. Seeing as Discord is an effective combination of both, it is not surprising that Discord is banned in many schools and educational institutions. This article will focus on how to unblock Discord at school. 

While the use of a VPN is the most popular method of accessing any blocked social media platforms, there are other ways of bypassing the restriction. 

Other ways of accessing Discord In your School

1. Using the Browser App

Sometimes, the restriction or blockade installed on your school computer or wi-fi network doesn’t block any particular app from working. Instead, this restriction blocks the computer from downloading any Exe file, which means you cannot download and install the Discord app. If this is the case, there are other ways through which you can access Discord without using a VPN. 

You can use the web browser app version of Discord. Since the restriction is only on the download and installation of apps, the web browser app allows you to use the app without downloading or installing it. Try out the web browser, enter your credentials and wait for the app to load. If it doesn’t load, you can try out other methods.  

2. Copy the IP address

Another way through which schools and institutions block the use of social media platforms is through the use of keyword-based content blockers. These blockers block certain words that a website may contain and this is one of the most commonly used methods for blocking Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. If this is the type of blockade used in your school, you may not need to use a VPN especially if your computer uses Windows operating system. 

You can avoid these content blockers through the following steps; 

  • Click on the Start menu and select the command prompt. 
  • Open the command prompt and type “ping discordapp.com” and press Enter
  • This command will display the IP address for Discord. You can copy the IP address and paste it into the Google Search bar and press Enter. This should load the sign-in page for the discord web browser app. 

Other ways of bypassing the restriction include 

  • Using a web proxy
  • Installing Discord from external storage
  • Utilize the Alpha Testing Version of Discord
  • Use a TOR Mirror

Best VPNs to Unblock Discord in School

Virtual Private Network is an acronym for Virtual Private Network. It’s an indispensable tool for bypassing restrictions and blockades on the internet and also maintaining your anonymity on the internet. The VPN is particularly very useful in locations where these contents are blocked. A VPN secures your internet data from hackers and malware while also concealing your location, allowing you to access websites and stream content that might otherwise be unavailable in your location.

If you are looking to bypass the restriction on your school network preventing you from using Discord, using a VPN is the best way to go about it. The following VPNs will allow you to bypass the restrictions and use Discord within your school premises:

  • Hotspot Shield: This VPN is one of the fastest in the world. It is by far the most affordable option on the list. Hotspot Shield protects your data with military-grade encryption and gives you access to geo-blocked content from anywhere in the world. It does, however, allow up to 25 simultaneous connections and provides new members a 45-day money-back guarantee on its premium plan.
  • IPVanish: A reliable VPN. This VPN places a high priority on security and adheres to a rigid No-log policy to ensure that your data is not accessible to online snoopers. IPVanish provides a unique feature that allows you to connect to the fastest and most reliable server in your city. It has more than 2000 servers in 75 countries and supports an unlimited number of concurrent connections.
  • SurfShark: This is yet another useful tool. This VPN unblocks many streaming platforms and other blocked or restricted sites. It boasts 3200 servers in 65 locations, has blistering connection speeds fast enough to stream in HD, provides dependable data protection, and is incredibly affordable at $3.98 per month. It comes with an easy-to-use app that lets you connect to as many devices as you wish.

Choosing the best VPN for unblocking Discord in school

In choosing the ideal VPN service, you may need to consider the following factors

  • Security and Privacy: An ideal VPN service should keep your connection and data safe from third parties, including your Internet Service provider. This means that the VPN must feature powerful encryption, a kill switch, a no-logs policy, and a leak protection protocol. These features are some of the basic security protocols that an ideal VPN service should possess. There are some extra security features that high-end VPNs possess.
  • Speed: This is another vital factor that determines how much you enjoy using the VPN. Nobody likes a slow internet connection, and as a result, the VPN you choose must allow you to browse as fast as possible. 
  • Server selection: this refers to the number of servers available on a VPN service. Here is why this factor is important; the server available on the VPN determines the number of options you have in bypassing the restriction and accessing Discord. 
  • Value of Money: Not every VPN is worth the price tag that comes with it. Therefore, the value you receive for using the VPN must be worth the price tag. This is why it is advisable to go for affordable VPN services with premium offerings. This way, you get quality VPN services while paying less.  

By considering the factors discussed above, you are more likely to choose a very good VPN service that will help you unblock Discord within your school premises.

How to unblock Discord in school 

1. Choose a good VPN service

You need a very good VPN service to help you bypass the ban on Discord in succeeding sections, we will touch on some of the best VPNs that can help you with this.

2. Create an Account or Login

If you are new to the selected VPN service, you will need to create an account before you can use the VPN service. To do this, you will need to provide certain pieces of information, such as your email address, preferred username, and preferred password.

If you have an account with the VPN service before, all you have to do is log in with the information you already provided when creating the account.

3. Connect the VPN to a server near you

You need to connect the VPN to any of the servers available. You should choose a VPN server near you. This will make the connection faster and also ensure that the content available on Discord is relevant to your location.

4. Connect to Discord and Enjoy

Once you are connected, you can open Discord and start chatting or catching up with the latest updates on your channels. If you are not able to load the content, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, and reloading the page. It should work this time.