10 Fixes for Discord Stream Lagging in Windows

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Stream lagging errors when using Discord are common among Windows 10 users. These issues usually occur during gameplay when using the screen share feature. If you’ve experienced lagging issues with Discord, read through this guide to learn the causes and best fixes for this problem.

Tip: dealing with a Javascript error in Discord instead? Fix it easily by following our tips.

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What Causes Discord Stream Lag on Windows?

There are various reasons Discord might start lagging during a streaming session. Below you’ll find some of the most common ones.

Hardware acceleration issues – enabling hardware acceleration can improve Discord performance but cause streaming lag if you don’t have good hardware.
Running unnecessary programs – running programs consumes hardware resources, which can affect the performance of other apps, including Discord.
Outdated graphics card drivers – if the graphics card drivers in your system are outdated, they may prevent Discord from functioning properly.
Uncleared cache files – you may have a large number of uncleared cache files in your system, which could cause performance issues.
Voice/video setting issues – your audio or video settings may disagree with the Discord app settings.

Fix Discord Stream Lagging on Windows

Before resolving any Discord stream lag issues in your Windows PC, ensure that you have a stable Internet connection and the most recent version of Discord installed. If you still experience lagging, consider the following fixes.

1. Close Apps Not in Use

Closing open applications or browser windows is one of the simplest ways to fix Discord stream lag on Windows. On the other hand, if you’re using multiple streaming apps, note that they can sometimes interfere with Discord and cause errors. Try closing them to see if things go back to normal when streaming with Discord.

2. Disable Quality of Service

Another thing to try to fix Discord stream lagging is to disable the app’s quality of service packet feature.

Click the gear-shaped icon at the bottom-left corner of the app to open Settings.

Disable the “Quality of Packet High Packet Priority” option under “Voice & Video” on the right side.

3. Update Graphics Card Drivers

Outdated graphics card drivers could be at fault here, so it’s a good idea to update them to the latest version.

Press the Windows button, then search for and launch “Device Manager.”

Expand “Display Adapters,” right-click on your graphics card, and click on “Update Driver.”

4. Use Windows Troubleshooter

A poor connection could also be behind your Discord stream lag issues, especially if you’re experiencing lag in other programs and apps. Fortunately, Windows 10 and 11 provide a dedicated troubleshooter that will help you find and resolve any connection-related errors.

Open Settings on your PC by pressing Windows + I.
Go to “System -> Troubleshooter -> Other troubleshooters.”

Click on the “Run” button next to “Internet Connections” at the top.

Press on “Troubleshoot my Internet Connection” and wait for Windows to finish scanning, then follow the recommendations, if any.

If you’re on Windows 10, click on the search bar in Settings and type “Find and fix network problems,” then open the utility.

Click the next button in the pop-up, then follow the on-screen directions.

5. Use a VPN

Since your internet service provider (ISP) may restrict your connection speed to balance all connections and prevent network congestion, you may experience Discord stream lag issues. However, you can use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) like NordVPN, ExpressVPN or SurfShark to safely bypass these restrictions.

While VPN prices and features vary, you can find low-cost and even free VPN services. However, it is important to choose VPNs that provide high-quality services and a VPN server that is close to your location.

Tip: did you know that you can use a VPN on your mobile device as well? These are the best VPNs for your iPhone or Android.

6. Enable or Disable Video Codecs

You could also try to enable/disable video codecs in the Discord app to help solve your stream lag issues while using the app.

Open Settings in Discord.
Go to the “App Settings” section in the menu on the left and select “Voice & Video.”
Scroll down on the right and enable both Video Code options: “H.264 Hardware Acceleration” and “OpenH264 Video Codec.”

After completing this task, restart the Discord app to apply the changes.

7. Reset Voice Settings in Discord

Stream lag may occur due to changes in voice & video settings, such as input and output device settings or camera settings. This is why it might be helpful to reset these settings.

Go to Settings in the Discord app.
Select “Voice & Video” from the left sidebar, scroll down and click on “Reset Voice Settings” at the very bottom.

8. Enable/Disable Hardware Acceleration

If the system resources are not functioning properly during streaming, they may cause lag while you’re using Discord. To fix this issue, you can either enable or disable hardware acceleration:

Open Settings in the Discord app.
Go to “App Settings -> Advanced.”
Turn on “Hardware Acceleration” if it is off, and turn it off if it’s on.

Check Discord to see if the streaming is still slow.

9. Change Your Power Settings

If you’re PC is set on “Balanced” mode in Power Settings, your system will run with limited features to save power, potentially affecting the performance of other applications that require more power, including Discord. Fortunately, you can switch to another mode.

Open the Start menu and type “control” in the search bar above to open the Control Panel.

Type “Power” in the search box in the top-right corner.

Choose “Power Options” from the available options.
Select the “High-Performance” option (or similar, depending on your Windows version) under “Choose or customize a power plan.”

Restart the computer and launch Discord to see if the stream lag issue has been resolved.

10. Clear Discord Cache Files

Over time, cache and other temporary files may build up in your computer, causing issues like slow Discord streams. However, you can quickly clear the cache data in your Discord app to fix any stream lagging issues, but you will need to log in to Discord again.

Close the Discord application.
Press Windows + R on your keyboard to access the Run prompt.
Type %APPDATA%/Discord/Cache and press Enter to execute the command.

A folder containing all of the cache data for the Discord app will open. To select all of them, press Ctrl + A. To delete them, press Del.

Reopen Discord to see if there are still any slow streaming issues.

Internet issues may be the reason Discord is not working at its full potential. If your Wi-Fi network is not showing up in Windows, here’s how to fix it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I share my screen on Discord?

When in a voice channel, select the “Share Screen” option to share your screen on Discord easily, then choose the specific window you want to share with others.

How can I enhance my Discord stream quality?

In the Stream window, identify the Stop Streaming button and press on the tiny downward icon on top of it. Click on “Stream Quality” and make your selection. To stream at 1080p or 60 frames per second, you’ll need Discord Nitro.

Can I experience similar issues while streaming from a mobile device?

Yes. Resolve this by trying a few things, such as restarting your mobile device, closing unnecessary apps, updating your Discord app, checking your Internet connection, or clearing the Discord cache.

Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Ademilade Shodipe-Dosunmu.

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Ademilade Shodipe-Dosunmu

Ademilade is a resourceful and versatile content writer with a knack for technical writing, SEO writing, research, and editing an array of content for a number of diverse organizations. He is a technology enthusiast with over 5 years of experience with Windows and Android devices. Consequently, he aims to leverage this experience to demystify complex tech concepts for the everyday reader.

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