Discord is a popular communication platform for gamers and communities, but it can sometimes encounter freezing issues on Windows PC. This can be frustrating, primarily when we are in the middle of an important conversation or gaming session. Fortunately, there are several methods that can be performed to fix this issue and get Discord to work smoothly again.
In this blog, we will provide some common reasons that lead to the “Discord freezing on Windows” problem and solutions to fix it.
Common Causes of Discord Freezing on Windows PC
Some of the major causes that can freeze the Discord application on Windows PC are listed below.
- Outdated Discord Version: Running an outdated version of Discord can lead to freezing issues.
- Hardware Acceleration: Discord’s Hardware Acceleration feature, which utilizes your GPU to enhance performance, can sometimes cause freezing problems.
- Compatibility Mode: Enabling Compatibility Mode for Discord or running it in an older version of Windows may result in freezing.
- Corrupted Cache or App Data: Discord’s cache or app data can become corrupted over time, leading to freezing or crashing.
- Outdated Windows: Running an outdated version of Windows can contribute to Discord freezing.
- Installation Issues: A corrupted installation of Discord can lead to freezing problems.
After explaining the major causes, now let’s move on to the troubleshooting process to fix the Discord freezing issue on Windows PC.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Discord Freezing
To resolve Discord freezing on your Windows PC problem, follow these step-by-step troubleshooting methods:
- Update Discord
- Re-Open Discord
- Update Windows Drivers
- Clear the Discord Cache
- Uninstall and Reinstall Discord
- Use Discord’s Browser Version
Fix 1: Update Discord
When the Discord application is outdated, the user may encounter a “Discord keeps freezing” problem. The user’s top priority while fixing this issue is to check if the Discord application is updated or not. This can be done by performing the below steps.
Step 1: Execute the “%localappdata%”
First, open the “Run” utility by pressing its shortcut key of “Windows + R”, then type “%localappdata” and hit the “OK” button to execute it:
Step 2: Execute the Update File
Next, navigate to the Discord directory and then execute the “Update” executable file to update the Discord:
Fix 2: Re-Open Discord
If the problem still persists then closing the Discord application completely can also fix this issue. This can either be done by closing the Discord application by clicking on the “cross (X)” button available at the top right side or closing it from the bottom “tray” as well. Next, reopen the Discord application to check if the problem is resolved or not:
Fix 3: Update Windows Drivers
Outdated versions of Windows or device drivers can also be a major cause of Discord freezing issues. It is very important to frequently update Windows which can be done using the below steps.
Step 1: Launch Windows Update Settings
First, a user needs to launch the “Windows Update Settings” by pressing “Windows Key + I”:
Step 2: Click on “Check for Updates”
Now, navigate to the last option which is “Windows Update” and from the right side click on the “Check for updates” button. This will start updating the Windows if there are some pending updates left otherwise it will display a message stating that “You’re up to date”. Moreover, it is also highly recommended to toggle on the “Automatic Updates” which will start installing the updates whenever they arrive:
Fix 4: Clear the Discord Cache
Clearing the Discord cache can help to resolve freezing problems caused by corrupted cache files. To clear the Discord cache, follow the below steps.
Step 1: Execute %appdata%
To execute the “%appdata%”, launch the “Run” box using the “Window+R” key. Then, make a search for “%appdata%” and press the “OK” button:
Step 2: Remove Cache Data
This will open the Roaming directory and inside that, a user needs to navigate to the Discord folder. Next, open the Cache folder then the Cache_Data subfolder, and remove all the available files. A user also needs to completely close the Discord application before performing these steps:
After that, restart the Discord via the Start menu and check if the problem is fixed or not.
Fix 5: Uninstall and Reinstall Discord
If none of the above steps have resolved the freezing issue, try uninstalling and reinstalling Discord by following the below steps.
Step 1: Execute “appwiz.cpl”
To uninstall the Discord application first, open the Run utility, type “appwiz.cpl” in the “Open” menu, and press the “OK” button:
Step 2: Uninstall Discord Application
Now, choose the Discord application from the list and then click on “Uninstall” to completely remove the Discord application:
Step 3: Reinstall the Discord Application
After completely removing it, a user can install the latest version of the Discord application by downloading it from its official website:
Fix 6: Use Discord’s Browser Version
If the freezing issue persists even after reinstalling Discord, try using Discord’s browser version. This can be done in any preferred browser using the below steps.
Step 1: Open Discord Website
The first user needs to open the Discord website using its official link:
Step 2: Log in to the Discord Account
Next, click on the “Login” button available on the top right and then provide your credentials to access the Discord account:
That’s all on the guide “Fix Discord Keeps Freezing on Windows PC”.
Conclusion
The Discord keeps freezing issue usually occurs on Windows due to some reasons such as outdated Discord version, compatibility issues, or corrupted cache. To fix the stated issue, update Discord, completely reinstall the app, clear the Discord cache, or use Discord on a web browser. This post has provided detailed information and solution to fix “Discord Keeps Freezing on Windows PC”.