How to Fix a Javascript Error in Windows 10

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If you're seeing an error that says "a JavaScript error occurred in the main process" or "a fatal JavaScript error occurred" when trying to open or install Discord, there are several potential fixes. While these fixes are designed to resolve this error on Discord, they should work to resolve similar errors in other apps, including Microsoft Teams. We'll show you how to troubleshoot JavaScript errors for Discord, Microsoft Teams, and other Windows 10 apps.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix Javascript Errors

  • Check your antivirus software and create an exception for the app you're installing.
  • Delete the app data from your computer and uninstall the app before downloading it again.
  • Repair the Windows Visual C++ in your system app settings.
  • Try running the app as an administrator.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Unblocking the Installer in Your Antivirus Suite

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  1. If you're unable to install Discord or another app on your PC because of a JavaScript error, such as "a JavaScript error occurred in the main process," your antivirus software may be blocking the installer. You can fix this by adding an exclusion for the installer.
    • If you're using Windows Security, which comes for free with Windows, type security into the search bar and then click Windows Security . [1]
    • The remaining steps will cover unblocking an installer with Windows Security, but your antivirus suite may have different menu options.
  2. This gives you a general overview of your antivirus settings.
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  3. This opens the settings for your antivirus protection.
  4. If you're using Windows Security, click Add an exclusion , select File , and then open your download folder and select DiscordSetup.exe (or the name of the installer you're trying to run). [2]
  5. Once you've allowed the installer to run, you should resolve JavaScript errors that occur during installation.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Deleting AppData and Reinstalling

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  1. If you get a JavaScript error when trying to launch or install Discord or another app, the application data may be corrupt. If the app is running right now, you'll want to close it so you can properly delete and reinstall it. Make sure it's not minimized to your taskbar.
    • To be sure it's closed, press Control + Alt + Delete and click Task Manager . If you see a that the app is running, click to select it, and then click End Task . [3]
    • Even if you've only tried installing the app and were not successful, you should still use this method before you try to install again.
  2. This activates the Windows search bar.
  3. This opens a File Explorer window to your application data. [4]
  4. For example, if you're trying to fix Discord, you'll want to delete the "Discord" folder. Here's how:
    • Click the folder once to select it. Don't open the folder—just select it for now.
    • Hold down the Shift key as you press Delete .
    • Click Yes .
  5. This activates the Windows search bar again.
  6. This opens a File Explorer window to your local app data. [5]
  7. Just hold down the Shift key as you press Delete , and then confirm deletion. [6]
    • If you don't see this folder, just skip this step.
  8. Here's how:
    • Open the Windows menu and click the Settings gear.
    • Go to Apps > Apps & features .
    • Select the app and click Uninstall . If you don't see the app here, just move to the next step.
    • Click Uninstall to confirm.
  9. If you're reinstalling Discord, you can download the installer from https://discord.com/download . Once downloaded, double-click the installer and follow the on-screen instructions—this should fix just about all installation errors. [7]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Repairing Microsoft Visual C ++ (Microsoft Teams)

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  1. If you're getting an error that says "a JavaScript error occurred in the main process" when trying to install Microsoft Teams, this may indicate a problem with the C++ libraries installed on your PC.
    • While this method is known to work for Teams, it may also resolve the same issue in other apps.
  2. This opens the Settings panel to the Apps list.
  3. This option is in the left panel. [8]
  4. You'll probably see several instances of Visual ++ here—you'll want to click the one that has the most recent date.
  5. You should see one of these two options here.
  6. This performs a few repair steps to the C++ libraries.
    • If prompted, enter your administrator password to confirm.
  7. This should resolve most JavaScript installation errors with Microsoft Teams on Windows 10.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Running the App as an Administrator

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  1. If you get a JavaScript error when trying to start Discord or another app, certain processes may be failing because they need more permissions. If the app is running right now, you'll want to close it. Make sure it's not minimized to your taskbar.
    • To be sure it's closed, press Control + Alt + Delete and click Task Manager . If you see a process for the app running, click to select it, and then click End Task .
  2. A menu will expand.
  3. If you don't see this option, you may have to click More first. This takes you to the app's install location.
  4. If you've run a few Discord updates, you may have several folders beginning with app- and ending with a number. Double-click the one with the most recent version number. [9]
    • If you're trying to fix a different app, you'll usually see that app right here in the folder you've opened. If not, look around for a file with the app's name—it may end with ".exe."
  5. Properties for the selected app will appear.
  6. It's at the top of the window.
  7. This gives the app permission to everything on your PC, which may clear up issues caused by access rights. [10]
  8. This saves your changes.
  9. Now that you've set the app to run as an administrator, starting it by double-clicking its icon on your desktop or in the Windows menu will run it with elevated privileges.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Why am I getting a Javascript error with WordPress?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Check the website on other devices, like another computer or a tablet. If the same error shows up, there's an issue with the code that needs to be looked at. It also helps to make sure that Java is up-to-date on your computer, since a lot of people don't even update Java anymore (since it's updated with the operating system).
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about fixing javascript errors, check out our in-depth interview with Luigi Oppido .

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/stay-protected-with-windows-security-2ae0363d-0ada-c064-8b56-6a39afb6a963
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-an-exclusion-to-windows-security-811816c0-4dfd-af4a-47e4-c301afe13b26
      3. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/209099387--Windows-Installer-Errors
      4. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/209099387--Windows-Installer-Errors
      5. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004307527--Windows-Corrupt-Installation
      6. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/209099387--Windows-Installer-Errors
      7. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004307527--Windows-Corrupt-Installation
      8. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/repair-apps-and-programs-in-windows-10-e90eefe4-d0a2-7c1b-dd59-949a9030f317
      9. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/209099387--Windows-Installer-Errors
      1. ↑ https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/209099387--Windows-Installer-Errors

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Unblock the installer in your antivirus software.
      2. Try deleting the app's folders in AppData and LocalAppData and then reinstalling.
      3. Repair the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ in Apps & Features.
      4. Run the app as an administrator.

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