Discord, a widely used communication platform, allows you to chat with fellow gamers, join servers, and play video games. However, sometimes you may notice lagging, particularly when streaming, playing video games, or having voice calls. Several factors can contribute to Discord problems such as not opening, crashing, or having audio issues. This article explores the most common reason for this, and how to fix some of the most common Discord problems on Windows 11 and enjoy a smooth and hassle-free experience.
How to Fix Discord Problems on Windows 11
There are several possible reasons cause Discord not working, crashes or not opening, raging from Slow internet to Outdated Discord version, temporary glitches, insufficient privileges, and corrupted cache are common.
- Unstable or slow internet can cause lag, disconnections, or difficulty connecting in Discord.
- Using an outdated Discord version may result in crashes, compatibility issues, or performance problems.
- Discord may experience temporary glitches, leading to issues like not opening or sudden crashes.
- Running Discord without sufficient privileges can lead to permission-related problems, hindering its functionality.
- Over time, Discord’s cache may become corrupted, causing unexpected behavior, missing features, or performance issues.
- Security software may block Discord, identifying it as a potential threat or causing issues with voice chat.
Sometimes, Restarting Discord can resolve temporary glitches and refresh the application.
Check the Discord Server Status
Before you start troubleshooting your local Discord app, you should check if there are any global service issues affecting Discord’s servers. Sometimes, Discord may be down or undergoing maintenance, which can prevent you from connecting or using the app.
To check the Discord server status:
- Go to https://discord.com/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
- Click on Status to open the Discord status page.
- Look for any service incidents or disruptions highlighted in red or yellow.
- If there are any issues reported, wait until they are resolved before trying to use Discord again.
In addition, A stable internet connection is essential for Discord to function optimally. Ensure you have a reliable and high-speed internet connection to prevent Discord problems.
Run Discord as an Administrator
Sometimes, Discord may need more permissions than usual to access certain system resources or features. If you don’t grant these permissions, Discord may crash or fail to load properly. Running Discord as an administrator can solve this problem by giving the app full access to your system.
To run Discord as an administrator:
- Right-click on the Discord shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu, Select Properties from the context menu.
- In the Properties window, go to the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.
- Click Apply and OK to save the changes, Launch Discord and see if it works.
Adjust the Date and Time Settings
Discord relies on secure connections that require your computer to have the correct current date and time. If your date or time settings are inaccurate, it can disrupt Discord’s functionality and cause connection errors.
To adjust your date and time settings:
- Right-click on the date and time icon in the lower right corner of your taskbar and select Adjust date/time from the menu.
- Alternatively, press the Windows key + I to open settings, Go to Time and Language -> Date & time.
- In the Date & time settings window, toggle on the Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically options.
- If these options are already on, toggle them off and then on again to refresh your date and time settings.
- Restart Discord and see if it works.
Update Discord
Discord releases regular updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. If you are using an outdated version of Discord, you may encounter various problems with the app. To avoid this, you should always keep your Discord app updated to the latest version.
Running an outdated version may result in compatibility issues with the latest Windows updates.
- Open Discord and click on the gear icon in the lower left corner of the app window.
- Select Check for Updates from the menu that appears.
- Wait for Discord to download and install any available updates.
- Restart Discord and see if it works.
Alternatively, Visit the official Discord website to Download the latest version of Discord. Install the update by following the on-screen instructions.
Windows updates often include improvements to system stability and compatibility. Ensure your Windows 11 operating system is up to date.
Clear Discord’s App Data
Discord stores some data on your computer, such as cache, cookies, and settings. Sometimes, this data may become corrupted or outdated, which can cause Discord to malfunction or not open at all. To fix this problem, you need to clear Discord’s app data from your system.
clearing your Discord cache might help resolve your lagging issues.
- First Close Discord if it is running, end Discord process on taskmanager,
- Press Windows key + R, type %APPDATA%/Discord/Cache and press Enter to open Discord’s cache folder
- Once the Cache folder is open, press Ctrl + A to select all content and hit the Delete key. Restart Discord and check if your lagging and slow performance issues are resolved.
Temporarily Disable Windows Firewall
Windows Security (Defender) Firewall is a built-in security feature that protects your computer from malicious attacks and unauthorized access. However, sometimes it may also block legitimate apps or programs that need internet access, such as Discord. To fix this problem, you can temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall and see if it helps.
- Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
- Go to Privacy & security then Click on Windows Security then click on Open Windows Security.
- Click on Firewall & Network Protection in Windows Security,
- Click on Private network (active) under Network type in the Firewall & network protection window.
- Toggle off Windows Defender Firewall under Private network settings in the Private network (active) window.
Launch Discord and see if it works. If it does, you can re-enable Windows Defender Firewall and add Discord as an exception to the firewall rules.
- Click on Allow an app through the firewall under Firewall & Network Protection in the Windows Security window.
- Click on Change settings in the Allowed apps window, Scroll down to locate Discord and allow it for both private and public Network.
- If didn’t find discord in the app list, Click on Allow another app then Click on Browse in the Add an app window.
- Navigate to the location where you installed Discord, usually C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Discord, and select the Discord.exe file.
- Click on Add in the Add an app window, Check the boxes next to Private and Public under Network types in the Allowed apps and features window.
- Click on OK to save the changes.
Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature that allows Discord to use your computer’s hardware resources, such as GPU, to improve its performance and quality. However, sometimes hardware acceleration may cause Discord to crash or freeze on Windows 11, especially if your hardware is outdated or incompatible. To fix this problem, you can disable hardware acceleration in Discord’s settings.
- Open Discord and go to User Settings (gear icon).
- Navigate to “Advanced” section in the left sidebar.
- Here disable the “Hardware Acceleration” option.
- After disabling hardware acceleration, a pop-up window appears asking you to confirm your selection. Click Okay on the window to save your changes and restart Discord.
Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot is a troubleshooting technique that allows you to start your computer with only the essential services and programs running. This can help you identify and isolate any software conflicts or compatibility issues that may be causing Discord problems on Windows 11.
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box, type msconfig and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
- Go to the Services tab and check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services at the bottom of the window.
- Click on Disable all to disable all the non-Microsoft services in the list.
- Now Go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
- Disable all the startup items listed by right-clicking on each and selecting “Disable.”
- Go back to the System Configuration window and click “Apply” and then “OK.”
- You will be prompted to restart your computer. Allow the restart to take effect.
Restart your computer and launch Discord. If Discord works, then one of the services or programs you disabled is causing the problem. You can enable them one by one until you find the culprit and uninstall or update it.
Reinstall Discord
If none of the above methods work, then you may need to reinstall Discord on your Windows 11 computer. This can help you fix any installation errors or corrupted files that may be affecting Discord’s functionality.
First, you need to uninstall Discord
- Close the Discord app and terminate all Discord processes from the Task Manager.
- Press Windows + X select Installed apps, find the Discord app, click three dot next to the app and click Uninstall.
Download and install Discord latest version
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process. Restart your computer and download Discord from https://discord.com/download.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
Update Your Graphics Card Drivers
Your graphics card drivers are essential for displaying graphics and animations on your screen, especially when you are using Discord to stream games or watch videos. If your graphics card drivers are outdated or incompatible, they may cause Discord to crash or freeze on Windows 11. To fix this problem, you need to update your graphics card drivers to the latest version.
- Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open the Device Manager window.
- Expand the Display adapters category and right-click on your graphics card device, Select Update driver from the context menu.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software in the Update Drivers window.
- Wait for Windows to search for and install any available driver updates for your graphics card device.
- Restart your computer and launch Discord.
Alternatively, you can also download the latest graphics card drivers from the official website of your graphics card manufacturer, such as Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA. Then, run the downloaded setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.
What to do if Discord Crashes randomly?
- If Discord crashes frequently or randomly on your Windows 11 PC, you may need to check your system resources, update your drivers, or disable hardware acceleration.
What to do if Discord Won’t Open or not working?
- If Discord won’t open on your Windows 11 PC, restart your computer. Right-click on the Discord shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu and select “Run as administrator”. Try Clear Discord cache, update or reinstall the Discord app.
Discord audio stream not working, what to do?
- To fix the Discord Audio problem, you need to check your audio settings, adjust your input and output devices, or update your audio drivers.
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