Screen sharing on Discord is a great way to connect with friends, coworkers, or classmates. However, sometimes you might run into the issue where your screen shares but no audio is transmitted. This can be frustrating, especially when you want others to hear game sounds, videos, or presentations.
Fortunately, fixing the Discord screen share no audio problem on Windows 11 is usually straightforward. With a few easy steps, you can quickly get your sound back during screen sharing sessions.
This guide will walk you through simple and detailed solutions from the easiest checks to more advanced fixes. Each step includes explanations to help you understand why it matters.
By following this guide carefully, you should be able to enjoy smooth screen sharing with audio on Discord again.
Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks
Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, make sure of the following:
- Discord is up to date: Running the latest version ensures all features and bug fixes are applied.
- Your Windows 11 system sound is working properly: Check if other apps produce sound correctly.
- You have permission to share audio: Some apps or games may restrict audio capture.
- You are screen sharing the correct window or screen: Sharing a specific window that doesn’t output sound might cause no audio issues.
Step 1: Restart Discord and Your PC
Sometimes, temporary glitches cause audio problems. Restarting Discord refreshes the app and clears minor bugs.
- Close Discord completely by right-clicking the Discord icon in the system tray and choosing Quit Discord.
- Wait a few seconds, then reopen Discord.
- If the issue persists, restart your Windows 11 computer to reset system processes.
This simple step often resolves many common issues.
Step 2: Check Your Audio Settings in Discord
Discord has specific settings for input and output devices. Ensuring these are correct is essential for screen share audio to work.
- Open Discord and click the Settings icon (gear symbol) near your username.
- Go to Voice & Video from the left sidebar.
- Under Input Device and Output Device, select the correct microphone and speakers/headphones you want to use.
- Scroll down and make sure Use an experimental method to capture audio from applications is enabled. This helps Discord capture audio during screen share.
- Test your input and output devices by clicking Let’s Check to verify sound is working.
Proper device selection and enabling experimental capture are key to resolving audio capture issues.
Step 3: Choose the Correct Screen Share Option
Discord allows sharing either your entire screen or a specific application window. Audio sharing behaves differently between these options.
- Screen Sharing (Entire Screen): Usually shares audio automatically.
- Window Sharing (Specific App): Sometimes does not capture audio depending on the app.
When sharing, select the entire screen instead of just one window to ensure audio is included.
Step 4: Run Discord as Administrator
Windows 11 has strict permission controls. Running Discord with administrator rights can solve audio capture restrictions.
- Close Discord completely.
- Right-click the Discord shortcut or executable file.
- Select Run as administrator.
- Try screen sharing again with audio.
This grants Discord elevated permissions to capture system audio more reliably.
Step 5: Check Windows Sound Settings
Windows 11 sound settings can affect how audio is routed and captured. Follow these steps to verify:
- Right-click the sound icon on the taskbar and open Sound settings.
- Under Advanced sound options, click App volume and device preferences.
- Find Discord in the list and ensure output and input devices are set correctly.
- Make sure the volume is not muted or too low.
If Discord is missing, try reopening the app to refresh this list.
Step 6: Update Audio Drivers
Outdated or corrupted audio drivers can cause sound issues during screen sharing. To update your drivers:
- Press
Win + Xand select Device Manager. - Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
- Right-click your audio device and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software and follow instructions.
Restart your PC after updating drivers to apply changes.
Alternative Method: Use Discord Web Version
If the Discord desktop app continues to have audio issues, try using the web version:
- Open your preferred browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
- Go to discord.com/app and log in.
- Try screen sharing with audio in the browser.
This can help isolate whether the problem is with the app or your system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is my Discord screen share audio not working only for certain apps?
Some applications restrict audio capture for privacy or security reasons. Window sharing may not transmit audio if the app doesn’t allow capturing sound externally.
Do I need to enable any special settings in Windows 11 for Discord audio capture?
Generally, no special settings are required beyond ensuring Discord has proper audio device permissions and running it as administrator if needed.
Is my microphone involved in screen share audio?
No, screen share audio captures system sounds, not your microphone. Microphone audio is separate and controlled under Discord’s input settings.
Can antivirus or firewall block Discord screen share audio?
Yes, some security software can interfere with Discord’s audio capture. Temporarily disabling or adding Discord as an exception may help.
Why does sharing the entire screen work but sharing a window does not?
Screen sharing grabs all system audio, but window sharing depends on the specific app allowing audio capture. Using entire screen sharing is more reliable for audio.
When Nothing Works
If you have tried all the above steps and still face no audio during Discord screen sharing, consider the following options:
- Reinstall Discord: Uninstall and download the latest version from discord.com/download.
- Check Discord Status: Sometimes server-side issues affect features. Visit discordstatus.com for updates.
- Contact Discord Support: Submit a ticket at Discord Support for personalized help.
- Use Alternative Apps: If urgent, try other screen sharing tools as a temporary solution.
Conclusion
Fixing Discord screen share no audio issues on Windows 11 usually involves checking basic settings and permissions first, then moving on to driver updates and app configurations. Restarting Discord and your PC, verifying audio devices, running Discord as administrator, and choosing the right screen share option are key steps.
With patience and following this step-by-step guide, you can restore audio to your screen shares and enjoy seamless communication on Discord again.