How To Remove Bots From Discord: Step-By-Step Server Cleanup

I’ve cleaned up dozens of Discord servers cluttered with inactive bots. The process is simpler than most admins realize—just requires knowing where to look in the interface.

Start with the server settings, then drill down to the members list. Bots appear with their distinctive tags, making them easy to spot. You’ll need Manage Server permissions to remove them.

Each bot takes two clicks to kick: one to open their profile, one to confirm removal. No special commands or third-party tools needed. I’ve done this during live streams with zero downtime for active members.

Works for any server size, from small gaming groups to large communities. Here’s the exact workflow.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the procedure I follow to clean up a server without disrupting active members.

Open Discord and navigate to your server. Click the server name at the top-left to open the dropdown menu. Select Server Settings—you must have Administrator or Manage Server permissions to proceed. This is non-negotiable; without these roles, you won’t see the options needed.

Verify you’re in the correct server by checking the name and icon in the top bar. If you manage multiple servers, it’s easy to accidentally start editing the wrong one. The settings panel will open on the left side of your screen.

In the Server Settings menu, click on Members under the User Management section. This loads a list of all users, including humans and bots. I always sort by Joined Date to spot recently added bots quickly—they often appear at the top if they were added last.

Use the search bar to filter for bots by typing bot: or the bot’s name if you know it. Discord automatically tags bot accounts with a BOT label next to their username, making them easy to identify visually.

Click on the bot’s username to open its profile panel. You’ll see two red options: Kick and Ban. Kick removes the bot but allows it to rejoin if reinvited; Ban permanently blocks it. For cleanup, I recommend Ban to prevent the bot from being added back accidentally.

After selecting Ban, confirm the action in the popup. Discord will ask for a reason—add a note like “Server cleanup” for your records. The bot is removed instantly, and its messages disappear from all channels it had access to.

Go to Roles in Server Settings and check each role assigned to bots. Some bots create their own roles with elevated permissions. Click the role, then scroll to Permissions and disable any that seem excessive, like Administrator or Manage Roles.

If a bot’s role is no longer needed, delete it entirely by clicking the Delete Role button at the bottom. This ensures no lingering permissions can be exploited if the bot is ever reinvited under a different account.

In Server Settings, open the Audit Log. This shows a history of all administrative actions, including bot additions. Look for entries labeled “Added to Server” with the BOT tag. If you see unfamiliar bots, note the user who added them—it might indicate a compromised moderator account.

If you find repeated bot additions from the same user, consider reviewing their permissions or removing their Manage Server role. This step helps prevent future unwanted bot additions and strengthens server security.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical insights will help you streamline the server cleanup process and avoid common pitfalls.

Permission Check: Before starting, double-check you have Administrator or Manage Server permissions. I once wasted 20 minutes troubleshooting why I couldn’t access settings, only to realize I was logged into the wrong account. Without these roles, Step 1 won’t work at all.

Sorting Strategy: In Step 2, sorting by Joined Date is a game-changer. Recently added bots often appear at the top, and the BOT label makes them easy to spot. I missed this trick early on and spent far too long scrolling through hundreds of members.

Role Review: Step 4 is critical—don’t skip it. Some bots create their own roles with elevated permissions. I found one bot that had given itself Administrator access, which could have been disastrous if I hadn’t caught it while reviewing roles.

Audit Log Insight: In Step 5, pay attention to repeated bot additions from the same user. This could indicate a compromised account. I once discovered a moderator’s credentials had been leaked, which explained the sudden influx of spam bots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Removing bots from your Discord server is a straightforward process with the right steps. Regularly audit permissions and stay vigilant to keep your community safe. Take action today—review your server’s bot list and remove any that no longer serve a purpose! 🚀