Are you tired of experiencing lag while streaming on Discord? Nobody wants to deal with the frustration of watching a laggy stream, but unfortunately, it’s a common issue that Discord users face when sharing their screen or streaming. The reasons for this can vary from outdated drivers to a poor internet connection. However, with the right information and troubleshooting, you can overcome this problem and enjoy a smooth streaming experience. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of Discord streaming lag and provide you with solutions that users have tested.
Common Causes of Discord Stream Lag
When it comes to lag issues during Discord streaming, there are numerous factors that could be the root cause of the problem. To simplify the matter, we have compiled a list of common reasons that may be responsible for Discord stream lag. However, it’s important to note that each user’s experience may differ, so it’s essential to explore all the potential causes and solutions in order to find the one that works best for you.
- Slower internet or unstable connection
- GPU acceleration issues
- Resource-intensive programs running in the background
- Discord server issues
- Outdated Discord client
Effective Methods to Eliminate Discord Stream Lag
We have listed proven methods to help you eliminate Discord stream lag. These solutions have been gathered from various sources and can certainly improve your streaming experience.
Method 01: Directly Connect Ethernet Cable to PC
Connecting your PC directly to the internet via Ethernet cable is an optimal solution for reducing Discord stream lag. Ethernet cables offer low latency, which means that data can be sent and received more quickly, resulting in a faster and more responsive streaming experience. This is especially beneficial for online gaming and can significantly improve your Discord streaming experience.
Method 02: Restart Discord as Administrator
Running Discord as an administrator can help to reduce stream lag by providing the application with elevated privileges, allowing it to access system resources more efficiently. By following these simple steps, you can improve your Discord streaming experience and enjoy a smoother, more seamless stream:
- Quit Discord completely by right-clicking on the Discord icon in the taskbar.
- Now Right-click on the Discord shortcut on your desktop or taskbar.
- Choose “Run as administrator”.
- Log in to Discord as usual.
- Try the stream again to confirm if the streaming has improved.
Method 03: Lower the Stream Quality/FPS
Lowering the quality and FPS can result in a slightly low crisp stream, it can ultimately advance the streaming experience by reducing lag and buffering. By following these steps, you can lower the stream Quality/FPS:
- Start an audio or video call in Discord and click on the “Screen Share” icon at the bottom left of the screen.
- Choose the screen to share.
- In the “Stream Quality” section, lower the resolution to reduce the amount of data being transmitted. If you’re experiencing FPS lag, try reducing the “FPS” setting to 30 or lower.
- Once you’ve adjusted the settings, click on “Go Live” to start streaming with the new settings in effect.
Method 04: Disable Hardware Accelerated Encoding
Disabling the OpenH264 video codec option can help to reduce lag and other performance issues as Discord will no longer use this codec to compress video. Simply go through these steps to disable it:
- Open Discord then navigate to the gear icon located at the bottom to access User Settings.
- In the left-hand menu, select “Voice & Video”.
- Scroll down to the “Video Codec” section and toggle off the OpenH264 Video Codec option, which will also disable hardware acceleration.
- Restart Discord for the changes to take effect.
Method 05: Cleaning Discord Cache
Over time, Discord’s cache and cookie files can accumulate and cause streaming issues. To avoid this, it’s recommended to regularly clear them. Here are the steps to do so:
- Exit the Discord application and press the combination of Windows key + R simultaneously to open up the Run window.
- Type “%appdata%\Discord” in the Run window and hit Enter.
- Navigate to the “Cache” folder.
- Select all the files in the Cache folder and delete them.
This will clear Discord’s cache files and free up space on your system, potentially improving streaming performance.
Conclusion
Discord streaming lag can be a frustrating issue, but there are steps you can take to reduce it. By following methods shared, you can improve your streaming experience and enjoy lag-free streams. Remember to check your internet connection, close unnecessary programs. With a slight troubleshooting, you can enjoy smooth and seamless streaming on Discord.
