Discord can feel like a busy clubhouse. People join. Bots chatter. Friends post memes. Then Discord drops a friendly welcome message somewhere. But what if it lands in the wrong channel? Good news. You can change it. It only takes a few clicks.
TLDR: Discord sends its built in welcome messages to the channel set as the System Messages Channel. To change it, open Server Settings, go to Overview, and pick a new channel under System Messages Channel. You can also turn welcome messages off there. If a bot is sending welcomes, change the bot settings instead.
What “Welcome” Means in Discord
First, let’s clear up the mystery.
Discord has a built in welcome message. It appears when someone joins your server. It may say something like, “Welcome, human!” or “Glad you are here!” Discord likes to act cheerful. Sometimes very cheerful.
This message is called a system message. It is controlled by your server settings. It is not the same as a bot welcome message.
That part matters.
If Discord itself sends the welcome, you change it in Server Settings. If a bot sends the welcome, you change it in the bot dashboard or with bot commands.
Think of it like this:
- Discord welcome: Controlled by Discord server settings.
- Bot welcome: Controlled by the bot.
- Welcome Screen: A special page shown to new members in Community servers.
They sound similar. They are not the same thing. Sneaky, right?
How to Change Where Discord Sends Welcome Messages on Desktop
This is the main method. It works in the Discord desktop app. It also works in a web browser.
Follow these steps:
- Open Discord.
- Go to your server.
- Click the server name in the top left.
- Click Server Settings.
- Click Overview.
- Find System Messages Channel.
- Open the drop down menu.
- Choose the channel you want.
- Click Save Changes, if Discord asks.
That’s it. Your welcome messages now go to the new channel.
You can send them to a channel like #welcome, #general, or #arrivals. Pick whatever feels right for your server.
A fun server might use #new friends. A serious server might use #announcements. A gaming server might use #spawn point. You are the boss of the tiny digital kingdom.
How to Turn Off Discord Welcome Messages
Maybe you do not want Discord to welcome people at all. That is fine. Some servers like a clean chat. Some servers use a bot instead. Some servers just enjoy peace.
To turn off welcome messages:
- Open your server.
- Click the server name.
- Go to Server Settings.
- Click Overview.
- Look for System Messages Channel.
- Choose No System Messages, if available.
- Or uncheck the welcome message options below it.
You may see settings like:
- Send a random welcome message when someone joins this server
- Prompt members to reply to welcome messages with a sticker
- Send a message when someone boosts this server
Turn off the ones you do not want. Leave on the ones you like.
If you only want to stop welcome messages, turn off the welcome option. If you also want to stop boost messages, turn that off too.
How to Change Welcome Messages on Mobile
You can also change the welcome channel on the Discord mobile app. The buttons are smaller. Your thumbs may suffer. But it works.
Here is the way:
- Open the Discord app.
- Tap your server.
- Tap the server name at the top.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Overview.
- Find System Messages Channel.
- Choose a new channel.
- Save, if needed.
If you do not see the option, check your permissions. You need the right role. Usually, you need Manage Server permission.
If you are not the owner or an admin, you may not be able to change it. In that case, ask someone with power. Bring snacks. It helps.
Which Channel Should You Choose?
This choice seems small. But it can change how your server feels.
A welcome message is the first little wave a new person sees. If it appears in a messy channel, it may get buried. If it appears in the right place, it feels warm and useful.
Here are some good choices:
- #welcome: Best for most servers. Simple and clear.
- #general: Good for small servers where everyone chats in one place.
- #introductions: Great if you want new members to say hello.
- #rules: Not always ideal. It can clutter important information.
- #announcements: Use with care. Welcome spam can annoy people.
For most servers, use a dedicated #welcome channel. It keeps things tidy. It also makes new members feel expected.
You can pin a message there too. Add a short guide. Tell people where to start. Keep it friendly.
For example:
“Welcome! Start by reading #rules. Then say hi in #introductions. We are happy you are here.”
Short. Sweet. No giant wall of text. Nobody wants to read a novel before posting a frog meme.
What If a Bot Sends the Welcome Message?
This is where many people get tricked.
You may change the Discord system channel and still see welcome messages in the old place. That usually means a bot is doing it.
Popular bots can send custom welcome messages. They may add images, roles, buttons, or fancy text. They may even tag the new member.
To fix bot welcome messages, you need to change the bot settings.
Try this:
- Find the bot that sends the message.
- Check the message name or profile picture.
- Open that bot’s dashboard, if it has one.
- Look for Welcome, Greeting, or Join Message.
- Change the channel there.
- Save the settings.
Some bots use commands instead. A command may look like this:
/welcome channel #welcome
Or:
!setwelcome #welcome
Every bot is different. Bots are like cats. They all have their own rules. And some refuse to explain themselves.
How to Tell If Discord or a Bot Sent It
Look at who posted the message.
- If it looks like a normal system message from Discord, it is probably built in.
- If it comes from a named bot, it is a bot welcome.
- If it has a custom image or fancy embed, it is usually a bot.
- If it mentions roles or gives instructions, it may be a bot.
Also check your server’s bot list.
Go to Server Settings, then look at Integrations or Members. You can see which bots are in your server. If one has welcome features, that may be your culprit.
What About the Discord Welcome Screen?
The Welcome Screen is different from welcome messages.
A Welcome Screen is a special page. It appears when someone joins certain Community servers. It can show useful channels. It can tell new members where to go first.
To change the Welcome Screen:
- Open Server Settings.
- Go to Welcome Screen.
- Add or remove recommended channels.
- Edit the descriptions.
- Save your changes.
This does not change where Discord sends system welcome messages. It changes what new members see when arriving.
Use both if you want a smooth join experience. The Welcome Screen can guide people. The welcome message can make the chat feel alive.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
Sometimes Discord settings act weird. Do not panic. Most problems are simple.
You Do Not See Server Settings
You may not have permission. You need to be the server owner or have a role with Manage Server.
The Channel Is Missing
Discord may not show channels you cannot manage. Check channel permissions. Make sure the channel still exists.
Messages Still Go to the Old Channel
A bot may be sending them. Check bot settings. Also refresh Discord.
Welcome Messages Stopped Completely
The welcome option may be turned off. Go back to Overview. Check the system message settings.
New Members Cannot See the Welcome Channel
Check permissions. The @everyone role needs permission to view the channel. If they cannot see it, the welcome message is not very useful.
Tips for a Great Welcome Channel
A welcome channel should be easy. It should not feel like homework.
Try these tips:
- Keep it clean. Do not let every bot spam there.
- Add a pinned guide. Tell people where to start.
- Use friendly language. Make it sound human.
- Link important channels. Mention rules and introductions.
- Avoid too many pings. Nobody likes instant chaos.
You can also make the channel read only. That way, only Discord or bots can post welcome messages. Or you can let people reply. That creates a warmer space.
There is no perfect setup. It depends on your server.
A small friend server can be relaxed. A big public server may need structure. A gaming clan may want hype. A study group may want calm. A potato fan club may want potato emojis. That is valid.
Best Simple Setup
If you want the easiest setup, do this:
- Create a channel called #welcome.
- Set it as the System Messages Channel.
- Turn on Discord welcome messages.
- Pin a short starter message.
- If using a bot, set the bot to the same channel.
This keeps everything in one place. New members know where to look. Old members do not get welcome spam in general chat.
Final Thoughts
Changing where Discord sends welcome messages is simple once you know where to look. The magic spot is Server Settings, then Overview, then System Messages Channel.
If Discord sends the welcome, change it there. If a bot sends it, change the bot. If you want new members to see a guided entry page, edit the Welcome Screen.
That is the whole trick.
Now your server can greet people in the right place. No more lost hellos. No more welcome messages landing in the meme swamp. Just a tidy, friendly entrance with a little digital confetti.