9 Fixes For Discord Lagging Or Running Slow Issues

Ah, Discord! My go-to hub for those late-night gaming sessions, lively debates about whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it does, by the way), and, of course, the sweet cacophony of meme-sharing. It’s an incredible platform for community building, that is, until it starts lagging or running slow. That’s when the fun takes a back seat and frustration comes to the forefront. I know, I’ve been there. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and go through 16 solid fixes I’ve tried and tested to solve this vexing issue.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

This is as basic as it gets, but we often overlook the simple stuff. Is your internet connection acting up? Run a quick speed test using tools like Speedtest by Ookla or Fast.com. If it’s slower than usual, consider resetting your router or contacting your internet service provider.

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2. Close Unnecessary Background Applications

Your device’s resources are not unlimited. Having too many applications running in the background can make Discord (and any other program) slow. Close any unnecessary apps, especially resource-intensive ones. A quick peek at your task manager should reveal the culprits.

3. Update Discord

Is your Discord application up to date? A lagging Discord may be a sign you’ve missed a crucial update. You can check this by heading to Discord’s official website and comparing your current version.

4. Lower Discord’s CPU Priority

Sometimes, Discord can hog more CPU resources than it needs. You can manually lower its priority to help your system run more smoothly:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the Details tab.
3. Find Discord in the list, right-click on it, and choose Set priority.
4. You might want to set it to Below normal or Low, depending on your system’s specifications and what other processes are running. Be careful, though – going too low might make Discord start lagging again.

Remember, troubleshooting is part science, part art. What works for one person might not work for another. The key is to keep experimenting until you find the solution that works for your specific situation.

5. Change the Server Region

If your Discord server is located far from your actual location, it can cause latency issues. Consider changing your server to a region closer to you. Remember, the server owner or someone with administrative rights needs to do this.

6. Clear Discord Cache

Like any other application, Discord stores temporary data – cache. Over time, these files can accumulate and cause the app to run slow. Clearing Discord’s cache can often speed things up. Here’s a simple guide to help you with this.

7. Disable Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration allows Discord to use your GPU to make things run more smoothly. However, if your GPU isn’t powerful enough, it can have the opposite effect. You might want to try disabling this feature.

8. Update Graphics and Sound Drivers

Why it’s important:
Graphics and sound drivers act as intermediaries between your computer’s hardware (like graphics cards and sound cards) and software applications, including Discord. Keeping these drivers up-to-date ensures optimal performance, compatibility, and reduced chances of software glitches.

Steps to update drivers on Windows:

1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager from the menu.
2. Update Graphics Driver:
   • Expand the Display adapters section.
   • Right-click on your graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060) and select Update driver.
   • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows find and install the latest driver for you.
3. Update Sound Driver:
   • Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
   • Right-click on your sound device (e.g., Realtek High Definition Audio) and select Update driver.
   • Follow the same steps as above to update the driver.
4. Manufacturer’s Website: Alternatively, visit the official website of your graphics or sound card manufacturer (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Realtek). They usually have the latest drivers available for download. Make sure to download the driver compatible with your OS version and system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
5. Restart Your PC: Once drivers are updated, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

9. Disable Unnecessary Notifications

Why it’s important:
Excessive notifications can distract you, hog system resources, and, in some cases, cause applications to lag. By streamlining notifications on Discord, you can improve app performance and enhance your user experience.

Steps to disable unnecessary notifications on Discord:

1. Open Discord and Go to User Settings: Click on the gear icon located at the bottom left, near your username.
2. Navigate to Notifications: In the left sidebar, under the App Settings section, select Notifications.
3. Adjust Notification Settings: Here, you can:
   • Disable Desktop Notifications if you don’t want pop-ups every time there’s an activity on Discord.
   • Manage sounds for specific activities, such as message send, user join, or voice disconnected. Toggle off sounds for events you find non-essential.
4. Server-specific Notifications:
   • Go back to the main Discord interface.
   • Right-click on any server icon on the left sidebar and choose Notification Settings.
   • Opt for Only @mentions to receive notifications only when someone mentions you.
   • Alternatively, you can mute the server or specific channels within the server.
5. Direct Messages (DMs) Notifications: If you’re receiving too many notifications from direct messages, consider enabling the Do Not Disturb mode, which mutes all notifications except for mentions.