How to Stream on Discord: Go Live & Fix Audio

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Discord’s Go Live lets you share your screen or a specific application window with friends, servers, or even a larger audience. It’s a quick way to stream games, show off a project, or host a watch party. This guide covers the entire process, from starting a stream to troubleshooting the most common audio problems, so your viewers hear you and your content clearly.

What You’ll Need

A Discord account (free or Nitro) and the Discord desktop app installed.
A microphone (built-in, USB, or headset) for voice chat.
For streaming games, the game should be installed and running on your PC.
Stable internet connection (upload speed of at least 3–5 Mbps for 720p).

Step-by-Step

Open Discord and join a voice channel. Go to a server where you have permission to speak, and click on a voice channel to connect. You can also start a stream in a DM or group DM by starting a voice call.
Click the “Share Your Screen” button. In the voice channel footer (bottom-left corner of the voice channel panel), you’ll see a monitor icon with an arrow. Click it to open the stream setup window.
Choose what to share. You’ll see two tabs: “Screens” and “Applications.” Select the entire screen, a specific monitor, or a specific application window. For games, it’s best to choose the game’s window specifically so viewers don’t see your desktop or other apps.
Set stream quality (optional). Below the preview, you can choose the stream resolution and frame rate. Higher quality (e.g., 1080p/60fps) requires more upload bandwidth and may require Discord Nitro for some options. Select the quality that matches your internet speed.
Click “Go Live.” The stream will start immediately. You’ll see a red “LIVE” indicator, and your viewers will be able to join and watch.
Adjust audio sources (if needed). Before or during the stream, click the voice channel’s name to open the voice settings. You can adjust your microphone input volume, and choose which audio sources are included in the stream (e.g., your mic, system audio, or specific applications).
Stop the stream. When you’re done, click the red “Stop Streaming” button in the voice channel panel or press the shortcut (usually Ctrl+Shift+S).

Common Mistakes

Sharing the wrong screen. If you have multiple monitors, you might accidentally share a blank or private screen. Always double-check the preview before going live.
Not enabling “Include system audio.” If your viewers can’t hear game sounds or music, it’s likely because system audio is off. In the stream setup, look for the speaker icon next to “System Audio” and make sure it’s not muted.
Using the wrong microphone. Discord might default to a different input device than the one you’re using. Check your voice settings to ensure the correct mic is selected.
Streaming at too high a quality. If your upload speed is low, streaming at 1080p will cause buffering and lag for viewers. Start with 720p and adjust if needed.
Forgetting to stop the stream. When you leave the voice channel, the stream stops automatically, but it’s easy to forget and keep broadcasting your desktop while you do other things.

Tips

Use a wired connection. Ethernet is more stable than Wi-Fi and reduces dropped frames.
Close unnecessary apps. Browsers, downloads, and other software can eat up bandwidth and CPU, affecting stream quality.
Test your audio before going live. Do a quick voice check with a friend or use Discord’s “Let’s Check” feature in voice settings.
Use push-to-talk. If your mic picks up background noise, setting up push-to-talk in voice settings can keep your stream clean.
For game audio, use “Application” sharing. Sharing a specific game window often includes its audio automatically, and you can control its volume in the stream settings.

Troubleshooting

Viewers can’t hear my game audio. Ensure “System Audio” is enabled in the stream setup window. If you’re sharing an application, check that the app’s audio is not muted in Discord’s voice settings. Also, try restarting the stream.

Viewers can’t hear me (my mic). Check your microphone in Discord’s voice settings (the gear icon next to your name). Make sure the correct input device is selected and that the input volume is not too low. Test with the “Let’s Check” feature.

Stream is laggy or blurry. Lower the stream resolution and frame rate in the stream setup. Close other programs that use the internet or CPU. If you’re on Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or use a wired connection.

No video at all. Make sure you’ve selected a screen or application, and that the window you’re sharing is not minimized. Restart Discord if the preview is black.

Stream keeps disconnecting. Check your internet connection. If it’s stable, try lowering the stream quality. Also, some networks block or throttle streaming; try a different network if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream without a microphone? Yes, you can stream without a mic, but viewers won’t hear you. You can type in chat, but it’s not as interactive.

Can I stream to a server without a voice channel? No, you must be in a voice channel to start a stream. You can create a temporary voice channel if you have permission.

How many people can watch my stream? Free users can have up to 10 viewers; Discord Nitro users can have up to 50 viewers. The stream quality also varies by plan.

Can I stream a game that is not in my library? Yes, you can share any application window, including games from other platforms like Steam or Epic Games.

Why does my stream have a black screen? This often happens when sharing a game that uses anti-cheat software or is in exclusive fullscreen mode. Try running the game in windowed or borderless mode, or share your entire screen instead.

Can I stream on mobile? Yes, the Discord mobile app supports screen sharing during voice calls, but the features are more limited than on desktop.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.