All these problems result due to packet loss. But what causes packet loss on Discord, and how can you get rid of it? Let’s find out.
What Causes Packet Loss on Discord?
Before we head into how to fix packet loss on Discord, we have to understand what a packet is, why Discord is losing them, and why that’s a bad thing.
In order to connect to a server, your computer needs to communicate with it. It does so by sending small bundles of data known as “packets” down the internet toward the destination.
While traveling from your computer to the destination, some packets get lost, making your stream buffer or causing strange audio or graphical errors. There are several reasons why packets get lost before reaching their destination, but more often than not, your network connection is the main culprit.
Here are some of the most common reasons that can cause packet loss:
You’re likely to experience packet loss when there’s something wrong with the hardware sending the packets. Sometimes the hardware is working fine, but there are so many applications consuming the internet that things go awry. Packet loss can also occur due to corruption in your current network profile.
How to Fix Packet Loss on Discord
Packet loss is one of the most common network issues. And now that you know what causes it let’s check out what to do when you experience packet loss on Discord.
1. Close All Network Consuming Applications from the Background
Packet loss mainly occurs on Discord due to overloaded hardware. The solution, in this case, is to close all the unnecessary applications that are consuming your networking connection in the background. To do this, follow the below steps:
Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc hotkeys to open the Task Manager. In the Process tab, look for the app consuming the most bandwidth. You can check it by looking at the Network section associated with all the running applications. Right-click on the bandwidth-consuming application, and choose End task from the context menu.
Relaunch Discord and check if you’re still facing the problem. If yes, try the next solution on the list.
2. Troubleshoot Your Connection
You must be using a strong and stable connection to use platforms like Discord. If this isn’t the case, you become prone to network issues like packet loss.
To check your connection, you can use an internet-speed checking website. If the result shows you are getting a comparatively lower speed than the plan you have opted for, you must contact your ISP.
On top of that, there are various things you can do on your own to troubleshoot your network connection.
3. Is Discord Down?
Sometimes, the issue can be on Discord’s end rather than yours. If Discord servers are currently facing downtime, it will impact many users, not just you. You can check how things are faring by visiting the Discord server status page.
On the status page, look at the sections like the API. If the servers are down, you can’t do much other than wait until they become operational again.
4. Adjust Discord Settings
There are plenty of network-related settings on Discord, which, if configured wrong, can cause packet loss. You must adjust these settings properly to eliminate the problem.
Open Discord on your computer and click on the Gear icon at the bottom left corner. Choose Voice & Video from the left panel. Disable the toggle next to Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority.
Discord’s Krisp feature can sometimes suppress your voice, making you feel you’re experiencing packet loss. You must disable this feature if there’s no major disturbance coming from your background.
To disable the Krisp feature, open the settings menu on Discord, and choose Voice & Video from the left panel. Scroll down and choose None under the Noise Suppression section.
5. Clear the DNS Cache
Your computer’s DNS cache converts domain names to IP addresses. But sometimes, the conversion can get interrupted due to the corrupt DNS cache. You will have to clear your computer’s DNS cache as a solution to it. Here’s how:
Launch the Start menu by pressing the Win key. In the search bar, type Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator from the right pane. In the elevated Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
That’s it. Wait until you see a message indicating the cache has been successfully cleared. Then, give a quick restart to your computer and check for the problem.
6. Download the Latest Network Driver Update
Similar to any other driver, you must update the network driver regularly. An updated network driver ensures your system is free from connection issues like packet loss.
You can download the latest network driver update by following the below steps:
Press the Win +X hotkeys to open the Power menu. Choose Device Manager from the context menu. Right-click on the installed network adapters and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers option from the window that crops up.
Windows will now search for and download any available network driver update. Once done, resume the talk with your friends and check for the problem.
7. Reset Windows’ Network Settings
If you’re still encountering the issue, then probably there’s something wrong with your current network profile. The solution, in this case, is to reset the network settings on Windows. Here’s how to do it:
Open the Settings menu by pressing the Win + I hotkeys. Choose Network & internet from the left panel. Scroll down and choose Advanced network settings. Choose Network reset under More settings. Click Reset now next to Network reset. Click Yes to the window that crops up.
Fixing Packet Loss on Discord
Packet loss is frustrating, especially if you experience it in chatting platforms like Discord. It mainly appears due to a weak connection. Fortunately, you can quickly fix packet loss on Discord by following the above fixes.
Now that you’ve gotten rid of packet loss, why not find and join some of the best Discord servers?
