9 Effective Solutions to Fix Discord Black Screen Share on Windows

ByJim Miller

Discord is a popular communication platform that offers various features like chats, bots, video, and audio chatting. One of its key features is screen sharing, which allows users to share their screens with others. However, some users may encounter a black screen when attempting to share their screen on Discord. If you're facing this issue, don't worry! We've compiled a list of effective solutions to help you fix the Discord black screen share problem on Windows.

1. Force Stop Discord

Sometimes, Discord may not completely close when you click the close button in the menu bar. To fix this, you need to force stop Discord using the Task Manager.

  1. Press the Windows key and search for “Task Manager.”
  2. Hit Enter to open the app and find Discord from the list.
  3. Click on Discord and select the “End task” button at the bottom.

Open the Discord app again and try sharing your screen. If you still see a black screen, proceed to the next solution.

2. Turn on Hardware Acceleration

Enabling hardware acceleration in Discord allows the app to utilize your computer's GPU for smoother performance during screen sharing.

  1. Open Discord on your computer and click on the Settings gear.
  2. Go to the Advanced menu and toggle on the Hardware Acceleration option.

Did enabling hardware acceleration fix the Discord black screen share error? If not, let's move on to the next solution.

3. Use Discord's Latest Screen Sharing Technology

Discord offers its own screen sharing technology that you can enable in the settings menu. This may help resolve the black screen issue.

  1. Launch Discord and go to the settings.
  2. Under App Settings, select Voice & Video.
  3. Enable the “Use our latest technology to capture your screen” toggle.

4. Close Other Background Apps

To ensure Discord can utilize your computer's full CPU potential, close any other apps or services running in the background. Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs before starting screen sharing in Discord.

5. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause issues with screen sharing in Discord. Visit the OEM website of your graphics drivers and download the latest drivers for your model. Once downloaded, use the Device Manager to install them.

  1. Right-click on the Windows key and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Display adapters and right-click on the GPU.
  3. Select Update driver and click on Search automatically for drivers.

After successful installation, try sharing your screen in Discord again.

6. Clear Discord Cache

Over time, Discord collects cache data to improve app performance. However, this cache data can sometimes interfere with screen sharing and result in a black screen error. To fix this, follow these steps to clear the Discord cache:

  1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run menu.
  2. Type “%appdata%” and hit Enter.
  3. Find the Discord folder from the list and delete it.

Restart your computer and check if the black screen issue is resolved.

7. Enable Reduced Motion

Enabling reduced motion in Discord reduces the amount and intensity of animations and other moving effects in the app's UI. This may help improve screen sharing performance.

  1. Open Discord and go to Settings.
  2. Select the Accessibility menu.
  3. Enable the Reduced Motion toggle and close the settings.

8. Update Discord App

Using an outdated version of Discord on Windows can cause compatibility issues. Check for updates in the Microsoft Store and install the newest version of Discord on your computer.

9. Reinstall Discord

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to uninstall Discord from your PC and reinstall it.

  1. Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to the Apps menu and select Apps & features.
  3. Scroll down to Discord and click on the three-dot menu next to it.
  4. Select Uninstall and remove the Discord app.
  5. Go to the Microsoft Store and reinstall the app.

By following these solutions, you can resolve the Discord black screen share problem and start screen sharing with ease.

Remember, screen sharing is an essential feature in many Discord communities. So, before you consider using alternative platforms like Zoom or Google Meet for screen sharing, try these solutions to fix the issue within Discord itself.