11 Effective Solutions to Fix Discord Stream Lagging on Windows 10/11

ByJim Miller

Discord users love to share their screens and stream their gameplay using the Screen Share feature. However, one common complaint among Discord users is stream lagging on their Windows 10/11 computers. If you're experiencing this issue, don't worry! In this article, we will share several solutions to fix Discord stream lagging error and ensure a smooth streaming experience. Let's dive in.

Before We Begin

Before we explore the solutions, let's quickly check a few things to ensure a smooth streaming experience on Discord:

  • Check your internet connection. Use Fast.com to test your internet speed and make sure you have enough data left.
  • If you're using a VPN or proxy, try disabling them as they can significantly reduce loading and streaming speed.
  • Update your Discord app to the latest version. If you downloaded it from the Microsoft Store, go to Library > Get updates. If you downloaded the setup file directly from Discord, reinstall it.

Now that we have covered the basics, let's move on to the solutions.

Close Apps

Close any other apps that might be competing for bandwidth, such as torrents, streaming apps like Netflix, and active browser downloads. Additionally, consider closing unnecessary tabs and windows to free up system resources.

Enable/Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration allows Discord to use your computer's dedicated GPU to render images and videos. Try enabling or disabling hardware acceleration to see if it improves Discord screen sharing performance.

  1. Click on the cog icon at the bottom of the left sidebar to open Settings.
  2. Under the Advanced section in the left sidebar, you will find Hardware Acceleration. Toggle it off if it's enabled and vice versa.

Enable Video Codec

Discord has many layers and features, including audio and video calls and live streaming. Enabling or disabling video codecs can help prevent lag during streaming on Discord.

  1. Open Discord settings by clicking on the cog icon in the sidebar.
  2. Go to the Voice & Video section in the left sidebar.
  3. Scroll down and enable both Video Code options: H.264 Hardware Acceleration and OpenH264 Video Codec.

Disable QoS Packet

Disabling the Quality of Service (QoS) feature in Discord can help resolve streaming issues for some users.

  1. Go to Discord settings via the cog icon.
  2. Under the Voice & Video section in the left sidebar, disable the Quality of Packet High Packet Priority option.

Turn Off Overlay in Discord

Disabling the overlay in Discord can improve performance and reduce streaming lags. Here's how:

  1. Open Discord settings by clicking on the cog icon in the sidebar.
  2. Under Game Overlay section in the left sidebar, disable the toggle next to Enable in-game overlay option.

Clear Discord Cache

Clearing Discord's cache can help resolve issues like lagging during screen sharing. Here's how to do it:

  1. Press Windows+R to open the Run prompt.
  2. Type “%APPDATA%/Discord/Cache” in the command field and press Enter.
  3. The command will open a folder containing the cache files. Select all the files (Ctrl+A) and delete them.

Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for network-related issues. Running the troubleshooter can help improve your internet speed and connection.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings.
  2. Search for “Find and fix network problems” using the search bar in the upper left corner and open it.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

Disable Vsync

If you're using a high refresh rate display, try disabling Vsync and reducing the FPS to 60. This has helped several users resolve Discord stream lagging issues.

Update Graphics Card Drivers

Updating your graphics card drivers can improve Discord screen sharing performance. Here's how to do it:

  1. Press the Windows button and search for “Device Manager” to open it.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section and right-click on your graphics card.
  3. Select Update driver and follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers.

Reset Discord Voice Settings

If you're experiencing voice issues while streaming on Discord, it's worth resetting your voice settings to troubleshoot the problem.

  1. Open Discord settings by clicking on the cog icon in the left sidebar.
  2. Select Voice & Video in the left sidebar.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on Reset Voice Settings.

Nitro Plan

Consider upgrading to Discord Nitro for additional features, including higher stream rates and HD video streaming. Nitro users can stream up to 4K and 60fps, providing a smoother streaming experience. Nitro is available for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

Stream Away

Discord's screen share feature is highly popular among gamers and troubleshooters. However, lagging during live streaming can ruin the experience for both streamers and viewers. By following the solutions mentioned above, you can ensure a lag-free streaming experience on Discord.

Now that you've resolved your Discord stream lagging issues, why not check where your Discord account is logged in? Learn how to check your Discord account's login locations here.