Discord Voice and Video Troubleshooting Guide

Bubbles
  • Updated

Having trouble with Discord voice or video? Whether you can't hear others, they can't hear you, or your video isn't working - we're here to help.

This troubleshooting guide will walk you through common solutions for audio and video issues to get you back to chatting with your friends in no time.

What this article covers:

Essential Discord Settings to Check First

Before you start troubleshooting voice, audio, or video issues in Discord, check these basic settings first. A quick review of these common settings often solves the problem and saves you from needing to try more complex solutions.

By identifying and fixing simple settings issues upfront, you may be able to skip the more detailed troubleshooting steps completely!

Mute or Deafen

When troubleshooting voice and audio issues, start by checking your mute and deafen status. Look at the mic [] or headset icon []—if there's a slash through it, that means your voice and audio is disabled.

Mic and Headset Icon

Keep in mind that server administrators can also mute or deafen users at the server level. If you've been server muted or deafened, you'll need to contact an admin or the server owner to have these restrictions lifted.

Channel or Role Permissions

Start by identifying whether your audio or video issues are affecting all servers and channels, or just specific ones. This helps narrow down the source of the problem. If you're only experiencing issues in certain servers or channels, it's likely related to permissions. 

In these cases, you'll need to check with the server owner or administrators to ensure you have the necessary voice permissions enabled. These include:

  • Connect - Allows you to join voice channels 
  • Speak - Enables your microphone in voice channels 
  • Video - Permits you to share your camera in voice channels

Voice Channel Permissions: Connect, Speak, and Video

Volume Settings

Having trouble hearing someone specific in a call? You might have accidentally adjusted their individual volume settings. Here's how to fix it:

  • Desktop and Browser Users: Right-click on the user's profile in the voice channel or voice call and adjust their volume using the slider in the menu that appears.
  • Mobile Users: In a voice call, longpress the user’s profile and you'll find a volume slider to adjust their individual volume level.

    

Adjusting a user’s volume: Desktop (Left) and Mobile (Right)

This simple adjustment often resolves issues when you can't hear a particular person while everyone else sounds fine.

Desktop Troubleshooting

If you've installed our desktop app on Mac or Windows, here are some helpful troubleshooting steps.

Initial Steps

1. Check that your operating system (OS) is compatible with our app. 

  • Head over to our OS/system requirements article to learn more.

2. Make sure that your OS is fully up to date for your computer! 

3. Make sure that your Discord app is fully up to date! 

  • You can refresh your client completely by pressing Ctrl/CMD + R. 
  • Sometimes, you may need to completely exit and quit the active Discord program, and then restart Discord.

4.  If you’re using a headset/headphones/webcam, make sure your USB or input jack is securely connected to your computer. 

5. Check your app permissions for Discord and make sure you have microphone and camera enabled permissions for Discord.

Security & Privacy on Mac

6. For Windows users, be sure to check your drivers for audio, webcam, and graphics card. Keeping your device drivers up to date is essential for optimal performance. Visit these official guides to update your drivers:

Voice & Video Setting Steps

Follow these steps in your Voice & Video settings to troubleshoot common issues:

1. Open User Settings by pressing the cogwheel [] in the bottom left corner and select Voice & Video in the left sidebar. 

Navigating to Voice & Video Settings 

2. Under the Voice tab, verify your Input Mode is set correctly (not accidentally on Push to Talk). 

Input Mode under Voice Tab

3. Select the correct input and output devices in the settings for your microphone and speakers/headphones.

Input Device and Output Device under Voice Tab

4. Adjust volume settings for both input and output to appropriate levels.

Input Volume and Output Volume under Voice Tab

5. If issues persist, try selecting Reset Voice and Video Settings under the Debugging tab in your Voice & Video settings. 

Reset Voice and Video Settings under Debugging Tab

6. For connection issues, locate Ensure Quality of Service High Packet Priority under the Voice tab in Voice & Video settings.

Example of enabled Ensure Quality of Service High Packet Priority setting 

Advanced Steps

1. Restart your computer/device. 

  • This can help complete pending updates and refresh system resources.

2. Try re-installing the Discord app completely.

3. Test Different USB Ports. 

  • Try connecting your headset, headphones, or webcam to different USB ports to rule out port-specific issues.

4. Disable Krisp Noise Suppression.

  • Navigate to User Settings > Voice & Video settings. 
  • Under the Voice tab, try disabling Noise Suppression to see if it improves audio quality. For more details, see the Krisp FAQ. 

Noise Suppression Settings under Voice Tab

5. Scan your device for any potential malware.

  • Run a complete virus scan on your device.
  • If threats are found, remove them and restart your device.
  • Temporarily disable your antivirus and test Discord again. 

6. Try Discord Beta.

Since it's not officially released yet and is a pre-release build, it may break occasionally, but it’s also a useful testing tool to see if the newest version of code helps resolve your issue.

7. If the above steps didn’t work and the issues persist, submit a ticket to our support team with:

  • A detailed description of your issue
  • Your OS and version (e.g., Windows 10)
  • Affected clients (browser, mobile, desktop)
  • Screenshots of Voice & Video settings
  • List of input/output devices
  • Debug log (found in Voice & Video settings > Debugging tab)

Debug Logging under Debugging Tab

Troubleshooting Steps for PC/Window Users Only 

1. For PC/Windows users, try running Discord as admin on your device.

  • To do so, right-click the Discord shortcut and select Run as administrator. 

Run as administrator Shortcut

2. Try disabling optional microphone enhancements on your device.

  • Go to the Sound Control Panel, select the Recording tab, then right-click your selected recording device to choose the Properties option from the drop-down menu. You can also select your recording device and choose Properties in the bottom right-hand corner. 

Sound Control Panel on Windows

3. In Voice & Video tab, scroll down to the Audio Subsystem settings, to change your system from Standard to Legacy (or vice versa)

Audio Subsystem setting

4. For video issues in particular,  navigate to Voice & Video settings > Video tab, scroll down to the Advanced section and disable the Hardware Acceleration. 

Example of enabled Hardware Acceleration setting 

Browser Troubleshooting

If you're logging in through https://discord.com/ and using our app on a browser like Chrome, Firefox or Safari, follow these troubleshooting steps to help you resolve your audio, voice, video issues. 

Initial Steps

1. Check that your browser and browser version is compatible with our app. 

  • Navigate here to double-check your browser compatibility.

2. Check that you have given permissions to Discord to use your microphone and camera with the browser. You can check this by following these guides here:

3. Lastly, try some of these steps in the Desktop Users section that are relevant for your device and OS:

  • Make sure that your OS is fully up to date for your computer.  
  • If you’re using a headset, headphones, or webcam, make sure your USB or input jack is securely connected to your computer. 
  • Try connecting your headset, headphones, or webcam to different USB ports to rule out port-specific issues.
  • Ensure your audio, webcam, and graphics card drivers and software are up to date.
  • Scan your device for any potential malware and remove threats if found.
  • Try restarting your computer/device.

Voice & Video Setting Steps

Navigate to User Settings by pressing the cogwheel [] in the bottom left corner and select Voice & Video in the left sidebar. Here you can: 

1. Check your input mode to ensure you’re not accidentally on Push to Talk mode.

Input Mode: Voice Activity and Push to Talk (Limited) on Desktop

2. Review your input and output device settings, adjusting volume levels and making sure the correct input device is selected.

Input and Output Device Settings with Volume Controls

3. Try resetting your voice and audio settings by going to Voice & Video settings > Debugging tab and pressing Reset Voice and Video Settings. 

Reset Voice and Video Settings under Debugging Tab

4. If none of the above steps resolve your issue, submit a ticket to our support team with the following information:

  • Your browser and version (for example: Chrome Version 83.0.4103.106 (Official Build) (64-bit))
  • Where you're experiencing the issue (browser, mobile, or desktop)
  • Screenshots of all your Voice & Video settings
  • A list of your input and output devices

Mobile Troubleshooting

If you're using Discord on your mobile device, give these troubleshooting steps below a shot! 

Initial Steps

1. Check that your OS is compatible with our app. 

  • Head over to this article to check your OS compatibility.

2. Make sure that your OS is fully up to date for your device.

If you are experiencing low resolution or low quality video on iOS 16.4, we recommend upgrading to iOS 16.5.

3. Make sure that your Discord app is fully up to date. 

4. Check your app permissions for Discord and make sure you have enabled microphone and camera permissions for Discord. 

5. Try turning off battery saver mode on your device.

6.  Try switching from wifi to data or data to wifi to see if there’s a difference.

  • iOS Steps: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201299
  • Android Steps: Depending on the manufacturer of your phone, you can switch between data and wifi by tapping into Settings, and then select your Network & Internet options.

7. Check your volume settings for your device.

Voice Setting Steps

Follow these steps in your Voice settings to troubleshoot common issues on mobile:

1. Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner, then tap the cogwheel [] in the upper-right corner to open your User Settings. Scroll down and tap Voice.

 

Navigating to Voice settings on Mobile

2. Check your input mode to ensure you’re not accidentally on Push to Talk mode.

Input Mode: Push to Talk and Voice Activity

3. Review your input and output device settings, adjusting volume levels and making sure the correct input device is selected.

4. Try enabling and disabling the following settings to see if there’s a difference and is impacting your voice/audio:

  • Auto Sensitivity
  • Noise Suppression
  • Echo Cancellation
  • Noise Reduction
  • Automatic Gain Control

For iOS 

If you’re running into any voice related issues while using iOS, you can try the steps below: 

1. Tap your avatar in the bottom-right corner, then tap the cogwheel [] in the upper-right corner to open your User Settings. Scroll down and tap Voice.

2. Then, scroll to Developer Settings and tap Cache Actions > Clear Caches.

 

Settings: Cache Actions (Left) and Clear Caches (Right) 

3. Next, we can tweak your Voice settings.

  • Go to User Settings > Voice, then swap between Voice Activity and Push to Talk.
  • Try enabling the CallKit integration. This allows you to stay connected to Discord voice while using other applications. If you’d like to learn more about the CallKit integration, you can check out this article. 
    • The option to enable CallKit can be found by going to Discord’s User Settings > Notifications > enable Integrate calls with the Phone app.
    • If it’s already enabled, try disabling then re-enabling it.

 

Settings: Notifications (Left) and Integrate calls with Phone app (Right) 

4. Additionally, if you’re experiencing output issues, be sure to have the correct output selected.

  • If you’re using a Bluetooth device, select the correct device through AirPlay.
    • The AirPlay button can be found when pressing on the bluetooth icon while in a call. You can, then, select the Bluetooth device that you’d like to connect to Discord.

 

Accessing AirPlay on iOS: Bluetooth icon (Left) and AirPlay selection menu (Right) 

If you are using Discord via iOS, you will have to enable AirPlay to select an external output source if you prefer not to use speakerphone.   

5. If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the above steps, submit a ticket to our support team with the following information:

  • A clear description of your issue
  • Your device and OS version (for example: iPadOS 13, iOS 13, iOS 16)
  • Your Discord app version (for example: Version 26.1)
  • Which clients you're experiencing the issue on (browser, mobile, and/or desktop)
  • Screenshots of all your Voice & Video settings
  • A list of input and output devices you're using (if applicable)

Discord Audio Issues and Fixes

Experiencing Discord audio issues? Let's explore some quick troubleshooting steps to resolve the most common audio issues, and get you back to chatting with your friends. If you're experiencing issues where you can't hear anyone on Discord or other users' audio isn't coming through, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

No Sound from Others

If you can't hear other users in voice channels even though you see the green indicator around their icons, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your operating system and audio drivers are up to date—outdated drivers are a common cause of audio issues.

2. Verify your output device settings in Discord by navigating to User Settings > Voice & Video settings. 

3. Under the Voice tab, check the Output Device dropdown menu. Make sure it matches the audio device you want to use.

Output Device under Voice tab on Desktop

4. Still no sound? Double-check your PC's playback devices and ensure your preferred audio device is enabled. As a last resort, try disabling other audio devices and launching Discord as administrator.

5. Ensure you're not deafened or the channel volume isn't muted. 

If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the above steps, submit a ticket to our support team

Microphone Not Working

Is your microphone not working in Discord? Follow these simple steps to get back to chatting:

1. Update your system and audio drivers first - this resolves many common audio issues quickly.

2. Check your Discord input settings by going to User Settings > Voice & Video settings > Voice tab. 

3. Select your microphone from the Input Device dropdown menu. Use the Mic Test feature by pressing the Let's Check button to confirm your microphone works.

   

Input Device (left) and Mic Test (right)

4. Look for the mute icon [] in your channel or server. Remember that server permissions might affect your ability to speak.

5. As a last resort, restart your device and reset your voice settings at User Settings > Voice & Video > Debugging tab > Reset Voice and Video Settings to restore everything.

Reset Voice and Video Settings under Debugging tab

If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the above steps, submit a ticket to our support team

Audio Quality Issues

If you're experiencing intermittent audio issues or choppy sound quality, try these solutions:

1. Test your internet connection speed and stability.

2. Head into User Settings > Voice & Video settings > Voice tab to disable the Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority setting. 

Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority setting on Desktop

3. For optimal performance, close any resource-heavy applications running in the background.

If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the above steps, submit a ticket to our support team

Screen Share Issues

If you're having trouble with screen sharing, follow these steps:

1. Check that Discord has permission to access your screen in your system settings.

2. Update your device's drivers and operating system to the latest versions.

3. Try adjusting these Discord settings under User Settings > Voice & Video settings. Under the Video tab, disable Hardware Acceleration. 

Hardware Acceleration setting on Desktop

4. If issues persist, try lowering your screen share quality and frame rate settings. 

5. Make sure you have enough bandwidth - screen sharing requires a stable internet connection.

If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the above steps, submit a ticket to our support team

Discord Video Issues and Fixes

Having video issues with Discord? Let's walk through some troubleshooting steps to fix common video problems and get your stream working again. If you can't Go Live or you're experiencing poor stream quality, try the steps below.

1. Keep your device's operating system and drivers up-to-date and your graphics card software.

2. Head over to User Settings > Voice & Video > Video, then disable Hardware Acceleration to see if that helps. 

3. If all else fails, see if the newest version of code helps resolve your issue.

If you're still experiencing issues after trying all the above steps, submit a ticket to our support team.

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