How to Fix Discord Streaming Laggy with 11 Effective Solutions [2024]

Part 1: What Causes Discord Stream Lagging on Windows/Mac

People often ask why is Discord stream laggy, and to this inquiry, there are several reasons, some common while some major. Let's walk into their details!

1. Low FPS and stream lag

The low frame rate can be the reason behind the choppy or laggy Discord stream, especially in games streaming. When FPS drops, the lag spikes, so this issue must be resolved. Along with this, an unstable internet connection can also be a problem.

2. Improper voice settings

You may have chosen a voice or video setting recently, which isn't go right with the other app settings. Since the improper voice/video settings are another cause of laggy stream, you should reset them to default from the Voice & Video option of the user settings. Also, if you come across problems like Discord streaming with no sound, click here to check the solutions.

3. Outdated Drivers

If your system's graphics and audio Drivers aren't updated with time, you will encounter the incompatibility issue of Drivers with the Discord updates. And this results in a laggy Discord stream for viewers. Not only the Drivers but also keep the system updated to resolve the relevant issues.

4. Discord overlay

Overlays are the elements on the Discord screen while playing/streaming games with friends in their channel, especially the friends' Discord icons. Although it's a rare issue, you should check it atleast once by disabling this option. Go to the Game Overlay option in user settings and turn it off.

5. Software conflict

You may not have heard this before, but it's a situation where some software are working at the same time. So they are using the CPU resources at the same time, thus automatically lowering the performance of your system. To overcome this, close all the software other than Discord, which will usually start working. If there is an issue while ending these programs, try the Task Manager.

Part 2: 11 Simple Ways to Fix Discord Stream Lagging

Have you ever wondered why your Discord stream is laggy while streaming live? There can be many factors, like FPS or outdated drivers, that can result in Discord streaming lagging. Here are a few ways to fix these issues and enjoy uninterrupted streaming on your Discord.

Fix 1. Update Discord

For the first solution, you might be facing a problem with your Discord due to an outdated version. Having a previous version might cause different features to malfunction and make your Discord streaming laggy. For fixing bugs, glitches, or amending all performance issues, it is vital to update your Discord as follows:

1. Use the Windows + R combination to start the Run program. As it launches, type %localappdata% and click OK to open the Local folder.

   

2. Look for the Discord folder and continue to launch Update to update Discord successfully.

   

Fix 2. Check Internet Issues

It is important to ensure internet connection stability while managing your Discord streaming. If your Discord streaming is lagging for viewers, it is necessary to restart your internet connection. Consider shifting your network connection if the current option is not working on your computer.

To check the internet connection status, you can find the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar. Right-click the icon and select the Network and Internet settings to open the respective screen.

Fix 3. Close Unnecessary Programs

Software conflicts and unwanted programs in your Windows computer can cause multiple issues. Discord streaming getting laggy is one of the many issues that can arise due to one of the applications running in the background having a conflict with Discord. The simple and effective way to eliminate this threat is by closing the unnecessary programs from the Task Manager, which is done as follows:

On your computer’s taskbar, right-click and select the Task Manager option to open it on a new window. Lead into the Processes tab and scroll down to discover the unnecessary programs running on your computer. When selecting it, look for the End task button on the top to close it down.

Fix 4. Use VPN

At times, live streaming on Discord consumes a lot of bandwidth, causing your internet service provider to limit your connection speed. This is where you will need a VPN because it will change your location, and you will bypass network throttling. Tweaking your IP address and countering all geo-restrictions will help fix your laggy stream on Discord.

Fix 5. Clear Discord Cache

If you are failing to discover a consistent solution to the problem of Discord video stream lagging, it is essential to try clearing your platform's cache. This exists in the form of folders across your computer's AppData folder. To understand how it is executed properly, follow the simple step-by-step instructions provided below:

1. Open the Run program with the Windows + R key combination or search across the taskbar available at the bottom of the screen. Add in %appdata% and click OK to open the AppData folder on your computer.

   

2. Look for the Discord folder in the list and delete all files in that folder to clear out its cache.

   

Fix 6. Select Smoother Video Setting

Another thing Discord users can do to fix laggy streaming is to change screen sharing settings. With a selection of better quality, you can smoothen the overall streaming, which is done by following the steps as follows:

When setting up a channel, open a voice channel and discover the Share Your Screen option on the bottom-left side. A prompt appears asking you to set up the screen sharing settings, select your screen, and proceed toward its quality settings. There, you will find the Stream Quality section, which needs to be set to Smoother Video. Once done, click the Go Live button to start streaming your video properly across Discord.

Fix 7. Enable Video Codec

To eliminate the Discord stream lagging for viewers, enabling video codec can often work as a great solution. Here is how you can enable the video codec in Discord to ensure crisp video results:

1. Launch the Discord application on your computer and navigate to the User Settings by clicking the cogwheel next to your profile name.

   

2. Now select Voice & Video from the left panel and scroll down to the bottom of the interface. Here, enable the video codec slider adjacent to the OpenH264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc. Consequently, restart the software to make it run smoothly when sharing your screen.

   

Fix 8. Turn Off Overlay

If you are facing interruptions because of lagging while streaming on Discord, turning off the Overlay option can potentially help you fix the lagging issues. Sometimes, too many resources might result in the slower speed of any program, thus you need to follow the provided steps for resolving streaming issues:

To turn off the respective option, simply go to User Settings by pressing the Gear icon next to your profile name. When accessing the Game Overlay section, disable the button adjacent to the Enable in-game overlay option to turn it off successfully across Discord.

Fix 9. Reset Voice Setting

One of the ways to alleviate Discord stream lagging for viewers is by resetting your voice configurations. You can check whether the voice settings are accurately optimized or if there are any conflicts in configuration. To understand the steps associated with resetting the voice settings on Discord, look ahead into the steps:

When accessing Discord's User Settings, look for the Voice & Video section. Following this, scroll to the bottom of the settings screen and select Reset Voice Settings. Once all settings are revamped, readjust your mic and voice configurations according to your streaming requirements.

Fix 10. Turn Off Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration is generally used to improve the overall performance of your computer system. However, it can turn out to be a hindrance to smoother streaming operations across Discord. The right approach to avoid Discord streaming laggy issues is by turning it off, which is done as follows:

Navigate to Discord’s Users Settings and select the Voice & Video section. Now, click the toggle adjacent to Hardware Acceleration to turn off the settings on your Discord.

Fix 11. Reinstall Application

If none of the provided solutions have helped fix your "Discord stream lagging for viewers” issue, you might need to revamp settings from the root. This is done by uninstalling the application from your computer and re-installing it again. To understand how this simple operation is executed, follow the steps provided below:

You need to access the “Search” bar on the bottom of your Windows taskbar and search for Add or remove programs. This will open a new window where you should look for the Discord app. On tapping the three dots, select Uninstall from the available options. Follow the available instructions on the screen to uninstall Discord from your computer. Lead to the official website from your browser and re-install Discord on your Windows device.

Part 3: Start a Smooth Discord Streaming with HitPawScreen Recorder

After reviewing the above details, you must have known about the main problems and solutions of laggy Discord streaming. But if you want to start a smooth Discord streaming without getting indulged in other situations, HitPaw Screen Recorder proves to be your best partner. By using its virtual camera, you can quickly start streaming on Discord. You can stream the content, presenter, or presenter plus screen in different situations. Additionally, it lets you record the screen or stream if required. Even you can record the games, lectures, and devices, i.e., iPhone, iPad, and Webcam.

Let's follow the detailed guide on how to solve the Discord stream lagging issue for viewers by using HitPaw Screen Recorder:

• Step 1: The first point involves downloading and launching the software on your system. Now, select the text/voice channel and the server, and adjust the connected video and voice settings quickly. Next, you need to press the small "User Settings" icon from the lower left side of the column.

• Step 2:Scroll down and choose the "Voice & Video" option under the "App Settings." Again you have to move down and open the "Camera" drop-down menu from "Video Settings" and select "HitPaw Virtual Camera." Finally, hit the "Esc" button and go for any option (Screen/Video) under the "Voice Connected" category.

• Step 3: Next, adjust the aspects like quality, resolution, and channel. In the end, click the "Live" tab. From the HitPaw Screen Recorder interface, click Live > Livestreaming, and then "Add a source to get started." Now, choose Window > Discord. This streaming will display on the screen-sharing HitPaw interface. And that's all!

Part 4: Best Screen Recoder and AI Video Editor Recommended

Looking for a smoother and uninterrupted way to record your Discord stream? The screen recording feature of HitPaw Edimakor comes to your rescue. With amazing video editing and AI-influenced features, this unique editing tool provides high-quality screen recording options. With many customizable options, Edimakor provides high-quality recordings and real-time editing of live streaming without making Discord streaming laggy. You can edit and save the recorded streams with ease and adjust the quality of your recorded video by setting up the resolution and format configurations.

To keep a track record of your live streams on Discord, you can record the live streaming with HitPaw Edimakor. Go through these steps to learn how to record Discord live streaming with the Edimakor screen recording feature:

Step 1: Launch the HitPaw Application

To start recording the Discord live streaming, install the Edimakor software from their official website and launch it on your computer. Click the Create a video button to set up a new video project and access the next interface.

Step 2: Start the Discord Live Stream Recording

Look for the Record option on the top-left and select Record PC Screen out of the available options. This leads you to select the window for recording, switch to the Discord live stream window, and select the appropriate area for recording. You can also tap the Space bar on your keyboard to select the entire window. After defining the settings for your device’s sound, microphone, and camera, click the Red button to start.

Step 3: Stop and Edit Your Recording

Once the live streaming is completed, turn off the recording by pressing the Red button again. The recorded stream will be automatically saved to your Edimakor interface and timeline. You can enhance your recorded video by utilizing different editing options across the platform.

Step 4: Save Your Recorded Live Stream

To save your Discord live stream, click the Export button. The platform will ask for settings like video resolution, destination folder, name of the file, and format. Input your desired setting and hit the Export button to save your recording.

Part 5: FAQs on Discord Stream Lagging Issue

Conclusion

Streaming or screen sharing can be quite intensive, often leading to lag issues during gameplay streaming, which can be frustrating. To help you fix Discord stream lagging and freezing for viewers, we've outlined various problems and their relevant solutions above. Additionally, for a seamless streaming experience, consider using HitPaw Screen Recorder. It's known for its stability and versatility, making it an excellent choice.

Moreover, if you're looking to enhance your user interaction by recording your streams, HitPaw Edimakor is the perfect tool. This all-in-one screen recording and video editing software offers high-quality recording options and impressive editing features, catering to both novice and expert video editors alike.