How to Stream on Discord Without Black Screen?

While streaming on Discord, one of the most common issues users face is the black screen. If you’re also encountering the same problem, software conflicts, outdated graphic drivers, or even streaming of copyrighted content could be the underlying causes. 

Fortunately, you can fix this issue easily with simple steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven fixes for common black-screen issues, so you’ll have streaming on Discord running in no time. Keep reading the guide to learn about solutions. 

Common Fixes to Stream on Discord Without Black Screen

End Running Discord Tasks

Several running Discord tasks in the background can be the reason for a black or malfunctioning stream. That’s why, the first thing you should do is end the running tasks using the steps below and relaunch Discord:

1. First, move the cursor to the taskbar. Then, right-click and click on the Task Manager option. 

2. In the Task Manager window, you’ll see a tile named Discord. Click on the arrow next to Discord, and you’ll then see several processes running under the Discord tile. 
3. Now, right-click on each task consecutively and click on the End Task option. Make sure you end all the tasks. 

Once you’re done, launch Discord again and check if the black screen issue goes away. If not, read on and attempt the next fix. 

Run Discord and Streaming Content in Admin Mode

You might not be able to stream properly if Discord doesn’t have access to all the necessary permissions or features. To fix that, run both the Discord and streaming content as administrator with the following steps:

Note: Before you start, ensure you have closed all the background running processes as mentioned above!

1. Firstly, close the Discord application. Also, quit the streaming content, whether it’s a game, media player, or streaming platform. 

2. Now, from the search bar, search for the Discord app. When it appears, right-click on Discord and click the Run as Administrator button.

3. A User Account Control window will appear asking for your permission. Simply choose the Yes button.
4. Next, repeat the same for a game or streaming application and run it in Admin mode. 

Lastly, try streaming on Discord and see if the black screen issue appears.

Turn Off Hardware Acceleration in Both Discord and Browser

When the Hardware Acceleration feature is turned on, Discord uses your system’s GPU to run the application smoothly. However, this feature sometimes causes malfunctions with streaming or screen-sharing, so turning it off might help:

1. First, launch the Discord application. Next, in the bottom-left corner, click on the Settings icon. 

2. In the Settings menu, locate the Appearance option on the right side, then click it. You’ll then see the Hardware Acceleration option inside the Appearance window. 
3. Click the toggle button next to Hardware Acceleration to turn it off if it’s on. 

4. A Change Hardware Acceleration window will appear. Simply click on Okay to confirm the action. 

We also suggest you turn off Hardware Acceleration in your browser if you’re using Discord or streaming via the browser. Here’s how to do it:

On Chrome: Click the three dots (menu) in the top-left corner. Next, click Settings, then the System tab. From there, turn off the toggle next to “Use graphics acceleration when available.”

On Microsoft Edge: Click the three dots button and head over to Settings. Next, locate and go to System and Performance. Then, click on the “Graphics acceleration” tab. Switch off the toggle in front of “Use graphics acceleration when available.”

After you’re done, relaunch the Discord and application/ browser and test streaming again!

Switch to Windowed Mode

Another reason could be that the app or the game you’re sharing is running in full-screen mode. So, switching to the windowed mode might solve the black screen problem:

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Firstly, stop streaming the content. Then, open the game or app that you want to stream on Discord.
2. Next, on your keyboard, press Alt + Enter (Windows) or Command + F (⌘ + F) (Mac) at the same time. Once you do so, the content screen automatically switches to windowed mode.

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Update Your Discord App

You might have an outdated version of the Discord app, which is causing the black screen issue while streaming. So, updating the application will resolve any software-related bugs or glitches. Here’s how you can update:

1. Firstly, from the taskbar, search for the Discord application. Then, launch the Discord app.

2. After you’ve launched the app, right-click on the Discord icon on the taskbar. 

3. Click on the “Check for Updates” button. If an update is available, download and install the update. Make sure your PC has a stable internet connection to complete this step.

Once the app is updated, quit and relaunch the app, and try streaming again.

Update Graphics Drivers

Your Discord app might be encountering issues streaming because your system’s graphics drivers are outdated. So, try updating the graphics drivers to see if that resolves the issue:

Note: Ensure your PC is connected to a stable internet before you start updating!

1. Using your PC’s keyboard, press the Windows + X key at the same time. Doing so launches a menu. From there, locate and click on Device Manager.

2. Next, locate the Display Adapters tab, then click the arrow next to it. This will expand the menu and reveal the graphics driver.
3. Now select the graphics driver, right-click on it, and then select the Update Driver button. 

4. Next, when prompted, select the “Search automatically for drivers” option. Your system will run the search and update the driver, if available. 

Once you’ve updated the graphics driver, restart your PC. Then, launch the streaming app in windowed mode and start streaming on Discord.

Enable In-Game Overlay Option

If you’re streaming gameplay on Discord and the In-Game overlay feature isn’t enabled, you might encounter the black screen issue. To resolve that:

1. Open the Discord app on your computer. Next, at the bottom left, click the gear icon and head to the User Settings.

2. Then, from the left menu, scroll down and click Game Overlay. Toggle on the switch next to “Enable the in-game overlay.”

Once you’re done enabling, try streaming the game again. If the issue persists, try the next step!

Reinstall Discord

If none of the above steps worked so far, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Discord app. Sometimes, the corrupted cache file prevents the app from working properly. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press both Windows + X keys simultaneously. When the menu appears, locate and click on the “Apps and Features” option.

2. From the Apps & Features window, locate the Discord app in the list. Once located, click on it and select Uninstall. Again, choose Uninstall to confirm the choice.

3. After you’ve uninstalled the app, you’ll then need to delete any saved files in the “AppData” folder. To do that, press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run window.
4. Next, type “%appdata%” and hit the OK button. Doing so will open the AppData folder.

5. Now, locate the Discord folder, select it, and right-click on it. Then, choose Delete to delete any leftover data files.

6. Next, you’ll also need to delete any residual files from local app data. To do so, again press the Windows + R keys. Then, type “%localappdata%” and select the OK button.

7. Scroll down to the Discord folder, right-click on it, and click on the Delete button. Then, the complete uninstallation will be done.

8. To reinstall Discord, head over to the Discord website. Then, download and install the application on your system.

If the issue persists, we suggest trying the top four explained solutions.

Conclusion

To stream on Discord without facing the black screen issue, make sure you consecutively try all the fixes that we explained in this guide. These quick fixes will help you resolve the issue and enjoy smooth streaming.

FAQs

1. Why is my Discord streaming screen black?

There could be several possibilities for this. Outdated graphics drivers, any hardware acceleration issues, or conflicts with background apps might also be the reason. If you’re streaming copyrighted content on Discord, this could also be the reason.

2. How to get rid of the black screen when streaming on Discord?

You can fix it in a few simple steps: update your system’s graphics drivers, disable hardware acceleration, and run Discord as an administrator. Reinstalling the Discord app might also help.

3. Is screen sharing Netflix on Discord illegal?

Yes. It is illegal to stream copyrighted content on Discord without permission. If you try to do so, the streaming screen might stay black.