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Frustrated by Discord’s New UI? Try This Effective Oldcord Solution to Get the Old Look Back

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on

Categories Troubleshooting

Problem Description

Discord recently removed the “Desktop Visual Refresh” experiment, which many users relied on to keep the classic Discord interface. This forced migration to the new UI has caused significant frustration, as users find the updated design less intuitive and visually jarring. Community forums and subreddits are filled with complaints, with many users desperate for a way to revert to the familiar old layout.

Why the Issue Occurred

  • Discord discontinued the experimental toggle for the old UI, making the new design mandatory for most users.
  • No official option exists to revert to the previous look, leaving users searching for unofficial solutions.

Solution: Use the Oldcord Theme with BetterDiscord or Vencord

While Discord’s official client no longer supports the old UI, you can mimic it using the “Oldcord” theme—a community-created CSS theme that closely replicates the 2020 Discord appearance, including the old logo and font.

Note: Using client modifications like BetterDiscord or Vencord is technically against Discord’s Terms of Service, so proceed at your own risk.

Step-by-Step Guide: Applying the Oldcord Theme

Step 1: Install a Client Mod (BetterDiscord or Vencord)

BetterDiscord: Download and install from the official site.

Vencord: Download the installer from [vencord.dev]. Run the installer and follow the prompts to patch your Discord client.

Step 2: Download or Import the Oldcord Theme

For BetterDiscord:

  1. Download OldCord.theme.css from the [Oldcord GitHub page].
  2. Place the file in your BetterDiscord themes folder (%appdata%/BetterDiscord/themes on Windows).

For Vencord:

  1. Go to Settings > Themes > Open theme folder.
  2. Download and move OldCord.theme.css into this folder.
  3. Alternatively, paste the following in the Vencord Themes section: https://milbits.github.io/oldcord/src/main.css

Step 3: Apply the Theme

Enable the Oldcord theme in your client’s theme settings.

Step 4: (Optional) Use the Custom Import Method for Fewer Bugs

If you encounter issues with profile banners or cosmetics, manually import only the necessary CSS components, excluding the problematic profile.css:

@import url("https://milbits.github.io/oldcord/src/components/vars.css");
@import url("https://milbits.github.io/oldcord/src/components/color.css");
@import url("https://milbits.github.io/oldcord/src/components/imgs.css");
@import url("https://milbits.github.io/oldcord/src/components/other.css");
@import url("https://milbits.github.io/oldcord/src/components/redesign.css");

Paste these lines into your QuickCSS or theme editor, leaving out the profile module for better compatibility.

Known Issues and Community Feedback

  • Some icons (like the open folder) may appear squished.
  • Visual quirks may persist in the settings menu, but functionality remains intact.
  • Plugins like BetterFolders may conflict with Oldcord, but disabling them usually resolves issues.
  • Users report significant relief and satisfaction, calling the workaround a “life saver” and “savior”.

While not a perfect replica, the Oldcord theme is currently the most effective and positive workaround for users unhappy with Discord’s enforced UI update. The community continues to refine these solutions, so keep an eye on updates for even better compatibility and appearance.