How To Fix Discord Screen Share Not Working Or Loading Forever

Are you experiencing issues with Discord screen share not working or loading indefinitely?

If so, you’re not alone.

Many users have faced similar challenges while trying to share their screens during calls or meetings.

The good news is that there are several effective solutions available to address this problem.

In this blog, we’ll explore a range of troubleshooting methods to help you resolve the issue and get your Discord screen share up and running smoothly. 

How To Fix Discord Screen Share Not Working Or Loading Forever?

To fix Discord screen share not working or loading forever, you can switch to borderless/windowed mode, restart Discord and your system, and update graphic drivers. Additionally, you can clear Discord cache, and run Discord as administrator.

1. Switch To Borderless/Windowed Mode

When Discord screen share is stuck on loading, it’s often because the application has trouble capturing content from games or applications running in full-screen mode.

Switching to borderless or windowed mode allows Discord to more easily access the visual content, thus resolving the loading issue.

• Minimize your game or application.
• Access the video or display settings within the game or application.
• Look for an option labeled “Windowed Mode” or “Borderless Window” and select it.
• Save the changes and resume your game or application.
• Try sharing your screen on Discord again to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Restart Discord And Your System

Sometimes, the simplest fix for resolving Discord screen share issues is to restart the application and your computer. This can clear temporary glitches and restore functionality.

For PC:

• Close Discord completely by exiting the app and ensuring it’s not running in the system tray or in the background.
• Restart your computer through the Start menu or by pressing the power button.
• Once your system boots up, relaunch Discord and attempt to use the screen share feature again.

For Android:

• Close the Discord app by swiping it away from the recent apps list.
• Restart your device by holding down the power button and selecting ‘Restart.’
• Once the device is back on, open Discord and try the screen share feature.

For iOS:

• Close Discord by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and pausing in the middle of the screen, then swipe up on the Discord app preview.
• Restart your iPhone by holding the side button and either volume button, then drag the ‘slide to power off’ slider.
• After your iPhone turns off, turn it back on by holding the side button.
• Open Discord and try the screen share feature again.

3. Update Graphics Drivers

Outdated graphics drivers can cause issues with Discord’s screen sharing feature. By updating your drivers, you ensure better compatibility and performance.

• Identify your graphics card model and manufacturer (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
• Visit the official website of your graphics card manufacturer.
• Find the ‘Drivers’ or ‘Support’ section and search for the most recent driver for your specific graphics card model.
• Download and install the driver, following the on-screen instructions.
• Restart your computer after the installation is complete and try using Discord screen share again.

4. Clear Discord Cache

Discord’s cache can sometimes get corrupted, which can lead to features like screen share not working properly. Clearing the cache can resolve these issues.

For PC:

• Completely exit Discord to ensure that all processes are terminated.
• Open the ‘Run’ dialog box by pressing Win + R on your keyboard.
• Type %appdata%/Discord/Cache and press Enter to navigate to the cache directory.
• Select all files within the cache folder and delete them.
• Open Discord again and check if the screen share is working.

For Android:

• Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Apps’ & notifications’ > ‘App info.’
• Find and select Discord.
• Tap ‘Storage & cache’ > ‘Clear Cache.’

For iOS:

• Go to iPhone settings.
• Go to General.
• Find Discord App and click on that.
• Tap on the Offload App button.
• Again, Reinstall the Discord App.

5. Run Discord As Administrator

Discord may require administrative permissions to function correctly, especially when it comes to accessing certain system resources for screen sharing.

• Locate the Discord executable file or shortcut on your desktop.
• Right-click on it and select ‘Run as administrator’ from the context menu.
• If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click ‘Yes’ to allow Discord to make changes to your device.
• Once Discord is running with administrative privileges, try to initiate screen sharing again.

6. Disable Hardware Acceleration In Discord

Hardware acceleration is a feature that allows Discord to use your GPU to improve performance. However, it can sometimes cause issues with screen sharing.

• Open Discord and go to ‘User Settings’ by clicking on the gear icon near your profile picture.
• Scroll down and click on ‘Appearance’ in the left-hand menu.
• Find the ‘Hardware Acceleration’ setting and toggle it off.
• Discord will ask to restart to apply the changes. Confirm and allow Discord to restart.
• After restarting, attempt to share your screen again to see if the issue has been resolved.

7. Adjust Discord’s Video Settings

Incorrect video settings within Discord may be the reason for screen share not working. Adjusting these settings can help establish a stable connection.

• Open Discord and click on the ‘User Settings’ gear icon.
• In the sidebar, click on ‘Voice & Video’.
• Scroll down to the ‘Video Diagnostics’ section and ensure that your video settings are correct for your device and network.
• If you are unsure about the optimal settings, you can use the ‘Test Video’ feature to help determine the best configuration.
• Save any changes you make and try to share your screen again.

8. Update Discord

Running an outdated version of Discord can lead to compatibility issues including problems with screen sharing. Ensuring that you have the latest version of Discord can introduce bug fixes and new features that may resolve your issue.

For PC:

• Open Discord.
• Press Ctrl + R to refresh the application and check for updates.
• If an update is needed, Discord will download and install it automatically.

For Android:

• Open the Google Play Store app.
• Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
• Select ‘Manage apps & device.’
• Find Discord in the ‘Updates available’ section and tap ‘Update.’

For iOS:

• Open the App Store.
• Tap your profile icon at the top of the screen.
• Scroll to see pending updates.
• Find Discord and tap ‘Update’ if an update is available.

9. Uninstall And Reinstall Discord

If updating doesn’t solve the problem, a fresh installation of Discord can ensure that all the files are set to their default state, and any corrupt data causing the screen share issue is removed.

For PC:

• Close Discord and end any background processes using Task Manager.
• Navigate to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Programs’ > ‘Programs and Features.’
• Find Discord in the list and click ‘Uninstall.’
• Download the latest version from the Discord website.
• Install Discord by following the setup instructions.

For Android:

• Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Apps’ & notifications’ > ‘App info.’
• Find and select Discord.
• Tap ‘Uninstall.’
• Download the latest version from the Google Play Store and install it.

For iOS:

• Press and hold the Discord app icon on your home screen.
• Tap ‘Remove App’ > ‘Delete App’ > ‘Delete.’
• Open the App Store, find Discord, and download the latest version.

10. Contact Discord Support

If you’ve tried all the above solutions and still face issues with Discord screen share, it may be time to seek help from the experts.

• Go to the Discord Support website.
• Fill out the form with as much detail as possible about the issue you’re experiencing. Be sure to include any error messages and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
• Submit the request and wait for a response from Discord’s support team.
• Follow any additional steps they provide to resolve your screen sharing issue.