C# Discord bot GetChannel method returns null - what am I doing wrong?

Other Questions Discord bot
1

I’m having trouble with my Discord bot code and I can’t figure out what’s wrong. I have a method that’s supposed to get a channel using GetChannel but it keeps returning null even though I’m using the right channel ID.

Here’s my code:

private void SetupScheduledMessage(string text, int targetMonth, int targetDay)
{
    var textChannel = botClient.GetChannel(MyChannelId);
    InitializeTimer(500);
    scheduledTimer.Elapsed += new ElapsedEventHandler(CheckDate);
    void CheckDate(object source, System.Timers.ElapsedEventArgs args)
    {
        DateTime currentDate = DateTime.Today;
        if(currentDate.Month == targetMonth && currentDate.Day == targetDay)
        {
            textChannel.SendMessage(text);
        }
    }
}

The botClient is defined earlier in my class. Every time this runs, I get an error saying textChannel is null on the line where I try to send the message. I triple checked the channel ID and it’s definitely correct. Has anyone run into this issue before? What could be causing GetChannel to return null?

2

Classic bot timing issue. You’re calling GetChannel during setup, but the bot hasn’t fully loaded guild data yet. Even though it looks connected, Discord.NET needs time to cache channels and other info. Move your GetChannel call inside CheckDate right before sending the message - grab the channel when you actually need it, not during setup. Also double-check your channel ID format is ulong, not string. If you’re still getting null, add debug logging to confirm your bot joined the guild and can see other channels.

3

I hit this exact problem before - it’s usually timing. GetChannel can return null if you call it too early, even when the bot looks connected. Instead of storing the channel as a variable, try calling GetChannel inside your CheckDate method. This grabs the channel when you actually need it, not during startup. Also double-check your bot has permissions for that channel - wrong permissions will make GetChannel return null even with the right ID. Still having trouble? Try GetChannelAsync with await instead. Some Discord.NET versions handle async channel calls way better.

4

sounds like ur bot ain’t ready yet when GetChannel runs. try adding a ready event handler and check if u request GetChannel after the bot’s up. also, make sure the bot has permission to see that channel, it could return null even with the right ID.