Do you want to know how you can fix lags on Discord?
The dedicated Discord app for Windows is well-optimized and runs flawlessly, even when playing the most demanding games. With gaming in mind, Discord is simply developed to use minimal system resources.
However, despite its low requirement, it doesn’t mean that Discord doesn’t require some computing power.
Like any application, Discord also uses your CPU and RAM.
One of the most common reasons for lags on Discord is high CPU usage. This often occurs during long periods of gaming sessions or when there are a lot of games running in your system.
On the other hand, lags can also be due to slow network connections, corrupted installation files, and faulty servers.
To help you out, we’ve decided to show you how to address lags on Discord.
Let’s get started!
1. Check Discord Servers.
Although server-related problems are not the usual cause of lags on Discord, the app may still experience performance issues when the servers are not working correctly. Visit Discord’s status page and check if there are ongoing problems on the platform.
Unfortunately, server-related issues can’t be addressed on your end. In this case, the only thing you can do if the servers are down is to wait.
You can head to the following solution below if Discord’s servers are working.
2. Restart Your Computer.
If you experience performance issues on Windows, the first thing you can do is restart your computer. This should clear temporary data from your system and eliminate bugs and glitches that may have occurred during use.
Here’s how you can restart your computer:
- First, open the Start Menu on your Taskbar.
- After that, click on the Power Options tab.
- Lastly, choose Restart.
After restarting your system, go back to Discord to check if the problem is solved.
3. Close Unnecessary Applications.
When you experience lags on Discord, it may indicate that your system is running out of resources. If you’re using an entry-level system, we recommend closing down unnecessary applications running in the background.
Here’s how you can close resource-hungry apps on Windows:
- On your keyboard, press the CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys to open the Task Manager.
- Next, go to the Processes tab and click on Memory. This should sort the applications running based on their memory usage.
- Finally, identify the applications you’re not using and close them.
Now, go back to Discord and check if you’ll still experience lags.
4. Toggle Hardware Acceleration.
Hardware acceleration is a feature that enables applications to utilize your dedicated graphics card to improve performance. However, this feature won’t work that well if your system doesn’t have discrete graphics.
To fix lags on Discord, follow the guide below to enable/disable hardware acceleration:
- First, open Discord on your computer.
- After that, go to the Settings and access the Advanced tab.
- Lastly, turn On/Off Hardware Acceleration and see which settings work best for your system.
Restart Discord afterward and observe if you still encounter lags.
5. Clear Discord Cache.
Like any application, Discord uses cache to enhance its performance. However, app cache accumulates over time and could become corrupted. When this happens, the app won’t function properly.
To fix this, follow the guide below to clear Discord’s cache:
- Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run Command.
- After that, type ‘%appdata%’ and hit Enter to open the folder.
- Now, locate the Discord folder and access it.
- Finally, delete all the content of this folder and restart your computer.
Use Discord as you normally would and observe if you still encounter lags.
6. Check Your Network Connection.
Slow network connections could also cause lags on Discord. If you experience stutters and choppiness on voice and video chats, it may indicate an issue with your internet. To confirm this, run a test using Fast.com to measure your network’s speed.
If you’ve confirmed that your network is the problem, restart your modem or router to re-establish the connection with your ISP’s servers. Unplug your router from the outlet and let it rest for at least five seconds before plugging it back in.
Once done, re-run the test to check if the restart worked. If not, contact your service provider and ask them to fix their service.
7. Change Your Power Plan.
Windows features various power plans that can be changed depending on your usage. If you experience lags on Discord while gaming, check if your power plan is set to high-performance mode.
You can change your power plan by doing the following:
- Access the Start Menu on your computer.
- Next, look for ‘Choose A Power Plan’ and open it.
- Finally, ensure that High Performance is selected.
Restart Discord afterward and check if the problem is solved.
8. Turn Off VPN.
Virtual private networks are third-party tools that protect your network and data. They work by masking your IP address to hide your location and filtering your data to protect sensitive information like bank accounts and passwords.
However, not all VPNs work efficiently, and some could affect the quality of your internet connection.
If you experience lags on Discord, try turning off your VPN before using the platform.
On the other hand, try switching to PureVPN if you don’t want to go online without protection. Compared to other services, it works well with most applications and keeps your network stable while protecting your data.
PureVPN also works well with most streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max, and Disney+.
9. Reinstall Discord.
Some of Discord’s installation files may have gotten corrupted due to bugs and errors. If this is the case, the best thing to do is reinstall Discord on your system.
See the steps below to delete Discord on your computer:
- Launch the Control Panel on your computer and click on Uninstall a Program.
- Now, locate Discord from the list.
- Finally, right-click on the app and choose Uninstall.
Go to Discord’s website afterward and download the latest installer for your system.
That ends our guide for fixing lags on Discord. If you have questions or other concerns, please voice them out in the comment section, and we’ll be glad to help.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
