Streaming your gameplay on Discord can be a fun way to connect with friends and share your gaming experiences. However, game crashes while streaming are a common frustration that can disrupt your session. These crashes might happen due to various reasons including hardware limitations, software conflicts, or incorrect settings.
Fortunately, there are several straightforward solutions you can try to fix game crashes while streaming on Discord in Windows 11. This guide will walk you through each step in a clear and simple manner, helping you get back to smooth streaming.
By following these step-by-step instructions, even beginners can troubleshoot and resolve common problems that cause crashes. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the detailed fixes.
Understanding why crashes happen can also help you prevent them in the future, ensuring a more enjoyable streaming experience.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks
Before you begin troubleshooting, make sure you have completed these quick checks. These are important because they address common causes of crashes and save you time later.
- Update Windows 11: Keeping your operating system updated ensures compatibility with Discord and games. Go to Settings > Windows Update to check for updates.
- Check Discord Version: Open Discord and make sure it’s updated to the latest version. Discord usually updates automatically, but you can manually check by clicking Settings > About.
- Close Unnecessary Background Apps: Running too many programs can strain your system and cause crashes. Use Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to close apps you don’t need.
- Verify Game Requirements: Ensure your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements for the game you are streaming.
Step 1: Run Discord and Your Game as Administrator
Running both Discord and your game with administrator privileges can fix permission-related issues that cause crashes. Sometimes, Windows restricts apps from accessing necessary resources unless they are granted administrator rights.
- Close both Discord and your game completely.
- Right-click the Discord shortcut or executable, then select Run as administrator.
- Do the same for your game’s shortcut or executable.
- Try streaming again to see if the crash is resolved.
Step 2: Disable Hardware Acceleration in Discord
Hardware acceleration allows Discord to use your GPU for better performance, but it can sometimes conflict with games and cause crashes. Disabling it can help.
- Open Discord and click the Settings icon (gear symbol) at the bottom left.
- Scroll down to the Advanced section.
- Toggle off Hardware Acceleration.
- Restart Discord to apply the changes.
Disabling hardware acceleration reduces GPU load from Discord, making more resources available for your game stream.
Step 3: Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers often cause game instability and crashes. Keeping your drivers updated ensures compatibility with your games and streaming software.
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Follow prompts if an update is found, then restart your PC.
Alternatively, you can visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) to download the latest drivers manually.
Step 4: Adjust Discord’s Stream Quality Settings
Streaming at very high quality or frame rates can overload your system, especially if your hardware is limited. Lowering these settings may prevent crashes.
- In Discord, start streaming your game.
- Click the Stream Quality button (usually represented by a gear icon).
- Reduce the resolution (e.g., from 1080p to 720p).
- Lower the frame rate to 30 FPS or less.
- Check if the game remains stable while streaming.
Step 5: Close Overlapping Screen Capture or Overlay Apps
Apps like NVIDIA GeForce Experience, MSI Afterburner, or other overlay tools sometimes conflict with Discord’s streaming features.
- Exit any screen recording or overlay programs before streaming.
- Disable in-game overlays in apps like Steam or Discord itself by going to Settings > Overlay and toggling off overlays.
This reduces the chance of software conflicts causing your game to crash.
Step 6: Configure Discord’s Compatibility Mode
If Discord or your game is not fully compatible with Windows 11, setting compatibility mode can help stabilize the apps.
- Right-click the Discord shortcut and select Properties.
- Go to the Compatibility tab.
- Check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 10.
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Repeat the same for your game executable.
- Launch and test streaming again.
Advanced Option: Use Discord’s Legacy Screen Share
If the newer Discord streaming method causes crashes, switching to legacy screen share mode can sometimes help.
- Open Discord and go to Settings > Voice & Video.
- Scroll down to find Use our latest technology to capture your screen (experimental).
- Toggle this option off to use the legacy screen share method.
- Restart Discord and try streaming again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does my game crash only when I stream on Discord?
Streaming uses additional system resources like CPU and GPU. If your PC is under heavy load or there are software conflicts, the game can become unstable and crash.
Can my internet connection cause game crashes while streaming?
Internet issues usually cause lag or disconnects, not crashes. However, very poor network conditions might indirectly affect performance. Ensure you have a stable connection.
Is it better to stream using Discord’s game capture or screen share?
Game capture is usually more efficient and provides better quality. However, if it causes crashes, using screen share (especially legacy mode) is a good alternative.
Do I need a powerful PC to stream without crashes?
A stronger PC with a good CPU, GPU, and sufficient RAM generally streams more smoothly. Lower-end systems may struggle and require reduced streaming quality settings.
Can antivirus software cause game crashes during streaming?
Yes, some antivirus programs may interfere with Discord or your game. Temporarily disabling antivirus or adding exceptions for these apps can help.
When Nothing Works: Final Resort Options
If you have tried all the steps above and your game still crashes while streaming on Discord, consider these last options:
- Reinstall Discord and Your Game: A clean reinstall can fix corrupted files.
- Check Event Viewer: Use Windows Event Viewer to find crash logs that might indicate the root cause.
- Contact Discord Support: Visit Discord’s official support for personalized help.
- Seek Game-Specific Forums: Sometimes game crashes are related to the game itself. Look for solutions on official or community forums.
- Consider Hardware Upgrades: If your PC struggles with streaming and gaming simultaneously, upgrading RAM, GPU, or CPU might be necessary.
Conclusion
Game crashes while streaming on Discord in Windows 11 can be frustrating, but they are often fixable with some simple troubleshooting. Start by running apps as administrator and disabling hardware acceleration to avoid common conflicts. Keeping your graphics drivers and Windows updated is crucial for stability.
Adjusting stream quality settings and closing unnecessary overlays can also reduce stress on your system. If needed, compatibility mode and legacy screen share provide alternative approaches to maintain smooth streaming.
By following these step-by-step solutions, you can enjoy your game streams without interruptions. Remember, persistence and gradual troubleshooting are key to identifying the exact cause and solution for your setup.