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How to Fix Discord Lagging
Linsey Knerl
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February 6, 2023
Whether you’re playing a game or simply chatting with your friends, the last thing you want to deal with is lag. And when it pops up in a Discord server, it can have a serious impact and potentially ruin whatever you’re doing. The good news is that while lag is common, it’s not impossible to fix.
Here are some of the more common causes for Discord running slow and what you can do to fix it.
Best ways to fix Discord lagging
Ugh, why is Discord so laggy?, you think to yourself. The problem may be related to the app or it could be your PC or internet connection. To kick lag to the curb, go through the following list of issues and address them one by one.
1. CHECK THE DISCORD SERVERS
Discord has tech issues like any other company, and you can check its status here. If the Discord servers are down, there’s not much you can do but wait it out. It can also stop you from dealing with the rest of the troubleshooting tips.
2. CLOSE OTHER APPS AND SOFTWARE
Discord doesn’t consume a lot of processing resources on a computer. But if your computer already struggles to run apps, this lightweight app may put it over the edge. Try closing out unnecessary apps to give Discord more CPU power to work with.
- Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del at the same time.
- If your Performance Tab shows high CPU use (anywhere near 100%), you need to close something.
- Click on the Processes tab and look for any apps with a high resource use. They may be highlighted for you with an orange or yellow line. Some common problem apps include Google Chrome, gaming apps, and backup storage services.
- Click on any process you want to stop and then click End Task. Avoid closing anything related to Windows, because this can make your computer unstable.
Once your CPU use goes down to a reasonable level, your Discord experience may improve immediately.
3. CLEAR YOUR DISCORD CACHE
Discord will store some data on your computer to make it run quicker the next time you open it. But this data can accumulate over time and become a problem. To clean up these files, close Discord by clicking on its icon in your system tray at the bottom of your screen.
Then follow these steps:
- Click R and the Windows Key at the same time.
- When the Run window pops up, type “%appdata%” and press Enter.
- In the folder that comes up, find a folder inside it labeled Discord.
- Find the Cache folder and delete it.
Deleting the cache means you’ll need to log back into Discord the next time you start it up, but you should have a smoother experience.
4. CHANGE YOUR LAPTOP’S POWER SETTINGS
If your laptop is prioritizing energy efficiency over performance, this could affect Discord. To check this, right-click on the battery icon in your System Tray. Click on it to open the Power Menu and check that it is set to High performance.
5. RESET DISCORD VOICE SETTINGS
Discord may be acting up due to glitches related to voice settings. You can reset these settings by opening Discord and clicking on the Settings icon, which resembles a gear. Once you find the Voice Settings, you can reset them by scrolling to the bottom and clicking on the Reset button. You can now set up your mic and speaker preferences again to use Discord as you had it.
6. UPDATE DISCORD
Occasionally, Discord itself needs a refresh. You can see if you’re using the most recent version by going to your System Tray at the bottom of your computer screen, looking for the Discord icon, and right-clicking Check for Updates.
If updates are available, Discord will restart after you download and install the update. You can also try manually restarting both your computer and Discord afterward to see if the new update helps with Discord stream lagging.
7. RESET NETWORK SETTINGS
Your internet connection may be the cause of your Discord issues, especially if you’re dealing with lagging errors on other online programs and apps. A quick network reset could help fix this problem.
Be careful not to lose important network information with this step. Before you reset your network, be sure to write down your network name and passwords or keys. Also, your internet service provider (ISP) may require you to manually enter your settings after a reset. To make this process as smooth as possible, write down your IP addresses, gateways, and any related information.
After you compile your internet connection information, perform a reset by clicking on the internet icon in your Taskbar and selecting Open Network and Internet Settings. The icon may look like a WiFi icon or globe. In this new window, look for the Reset option and click it.
You’ll have to re-enter all your login information to get online the next time.
8. DISABLE HARDWARE ACCELERATION
Hardware acceleration is designed to help computers perform better. Sometimes, your current settings can cause lag issues. Check to see if this feature is on or off in Discord by clicking on the settings within the software. Click over to Advanced to see your hardware acceleration settings.
Switching from Enable to Disable, or vice versa, may solve the issue.
9. UPDATE DRIVERS
Using your PC driver management system may get you up and running quickly again. Your choice of driver assistance tool will depend on your operating system and CPU, but you should consider running yours to check for any updates. If Discord appears on the list, be sure to allow for the driver to update, then restart your computer.
Tip: The Intel driver assistant tool is a popular option.
10. REINSTALL DISCORD
A good, clean copy of Discord may be the solution to your problem. Here’s how to perform a clean reinstall:
- Click R and the Windows Key at the same time.
- When the Run window pops up, type “%appdata%” and press Enter.
- In the folder that comes up, find the folder labeled Discord.
- Delete the Discord folder.
- Click R and the Windows Key at the same time again.
- When the Run window pops up, type “%localappdata%” and press Enter.
- In the folder that comes up, find the folder labeled Discord.
- Delete the Discord folder.
- Restart your computer.
- Download Discord again to your computer.
- Log-in and start using Discord as you did before.
11. USE A VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) isn't only a good idea to use for lagging Discord; it’s also a safer way to browse and work online. While VPNs vary in cost and features, you may have access to one through your antivirus software. Or, if you’re considering paying for a VPN, it may be able to help with your Discord lagging issues.
On the other hand, a poor VPN service may cause your ping rate to go up, leading to a lackluster Discord experience. Be sure to pick a VPN server that's close to your location or to the Discord server you use often. Make sure it is secure, too, and not open to others.
Is Discord slow on your mobile device?
The issues and fixes listed above assume you are using Discord on your PC or laptop. If you’re using Discord on your mobile device, you may have a completely separate issue. As a result, some of the solutions in our guide will work, like reinstalling Discord, but others simply won’t apply.
UPDATE YOUR DEVICE’S OPERATING SYSTEM
Is your phone or tablet frequently disconnecting from Discord? The best first step you can take is the most obvious: turn your phone off and on again. Then, check to see that your phone operating system is up to date.
CHECK THE POWER SETTINGS
You should also check your device’s power settings, especially if you use power-saver features. Be sure you aren’t trying to save battery power by limiting features.
DELETE AND REINSTALL DISCORD
If nothing else works, it’s time to uninstall and reinstall the Discord app. A clean reinstall may be the ticket to getting back on your favorite server in less time and with less lag.
Summary
Discord server lag is frustrating and may cause you to miss out on important updates and conversations with your friends and community. You may not want to take extra time out to try all these fixes, but it’s best to narrow down the problem and address it right away. Some of the solutions may actually help you with other programs and apps, too, so you may have a better gaming and browsing experience overall.
