How to Fix Discord High CPU Usage on Windows 10/11

Calvince Nyawara
Tired of your computer slowing down because of Discord? Learn how to fix Discord high CPU usage with these simple solutions!

Discord is one of the most popular communication apps for gamers, but it can be frustrating when it starts to consume a lot of CPU resources. High CPU usage can cause lag, freeze, and crash issues, and it can also slow down your computer. In this article, we'll go through the reasons behind high CPU usage on Discord and how to fix it.

Table of Contents 

Reasons for High CPU Usage on Discord

CPU usage is the percentage of processing power used by an app or software on your computer. Discord is a CPU-intensive app, especially when you're in a voice or video call, and it can use up to 80% or more of your CPU resources. High CPU usage can cause various issues, including slow performance, overheating, and even damage to your hardware.

There are several reasons why Discord might be consuming high CPU resources. Here are some of the common ones:

  • Background Processes - Discord has several background processes that can consume CPU resources, including checking for updates, syncing files, and scanning for malware. These processes can run in the background and cause high CPU usage.
  • Discord Settings - Discord has various settings that can affect CPU usage, including voice and video settings, overlay, and hardware acceleration. If these settings are not optimized, they can consume more CPU resources than necessary.
  • Discord bots - Discord bots are third-party programs that can automate various tasks on your Discord server, such as moderating chat, playing music, or displaying information. However, some bots can cause high CPU usage, especially if they have memory leaks or are poorly optimized.
  • Hardware Issues - High CPU usage can also be caused by hardware issues, such as overheating, outdated drivers, or a faulty CPU. If your CPU is running at high temperatures, it can cause the computer to slow down or crash.

After checking for these issues, you can take measures to fix Discord's high CPU usage on Windows 10/11.

How to Fix Discord’s High CPU Usage Issue

High CPU usage on Discord can cause sluggish performance and other issues, making it difficult for users to fully enjoy the app's features. In this section, we will explore various methods that can help reduce CPU usage, improving the app performance and providing a smoother experience for users.

By following the tips outlined in this section, you can optimize your system and get the most out of Discord.

1. Disable Hardware Acceleration

This solution involves turning off hardware acceleration in Discord's settings, which can reduce the strain on your computer's CPU and potentially lower the high CPU usage caused by the application.

  1. Open your Discord client and click on the User Settings icon next to your user details.
    The User Settings button in Discord
  2. Scroll down until you see Advanced in the menu on the left side, and click on it once. This will open Discord’s advanced settings. Here, make sure that Hardware Acceleration is turned off. 
    Disabling Hardware Acceleration in Discord
  3. Click on the X button in the upper right corner, or press the Esc key to close your settings. Now, try if Discord is still using too much CPU.

You may need to restart the Discord client for the changes to take place. Follow the instructions below to do this.

2. Restart Discord Completely

Restarting Discord can help clear any temporary files or processes that may be contributing to high CPU usage. These files can be accumulated over time and take up system resources, so restarting the application can help clear them out.

  1. Right-click on an empty space in your taskbar (or the Start menu icon if you’re using Windows 11) and choose Task Manager from the context menu.
    Opening the Task Manager on Windows 11
  2. Stay on the Processes tab. Click on the Discord application from your process list, and then click on the End task button in the top right of the window, as seen in the image below.
    End Task in the Task Manager
  3. Discord should completely shut down, terminating any background processes it has running on your device. Now, you should try and relaunch Discord, then see if it’s still consuming high CPU.

3. Update Discord to the Latest Version

Updating Discord to the latest version can include performance improvements that can help reduce high CPU usage. Having the latest version ensures that your application is running optimally and not consuming unnecessary resources.

  1. Open the Discord app, and make sure it’s in focus.
  2. Press the Ctrl + R keyboard shortcut to refresh the app. This is going to force Discord to restart itself and look for updates.
    Discord refreshing
  3. If a new update is available, Discord will start installing it right away. See if the new update fixed the CPU usage of your app.

4. Change Your Voice Settings

Adjusting your voice settings can help reduce the strain on your CPU by optimizing how Discord processes audio. Some settings like echo cancellation, noise suppression, and automatic gain control can consume more resources than necessary, so it's best to disable or reduce them.

  1. Launch your Discord application and select the User Settings icon located beside your user information.
  2. Go to App Settings in the left-side menu, and then select Voice & Video. Here, make sure that the following settings are all disabled: OpenH364 Video Codec, Echo Cancellation, and Noise Suppression.
    Changing Voice settings in Discord
  3. Scroll further down, and disable Automatic Gain Control as well.
    Disable Automatic Gain Control in Discord
  4. After making these adjustments, you can close the settings window and see if Discord’s CPU usage is fixed. If not, try restarting the client, or continue with a different solution!

5. Disable Discord Overlay

Disabling the Discord overlay can help reduce the CPU resources used by the application while gaming or using other programs. The overlay adds an extra layer of processing that can consume resources, so disabling it can improve performance.

  1. To access your overlay settings in Discord, first, open the application and then click on the User Settings icon located next to your user details.
  2. Scroll down in the left-side menu until you see Activity Settings. Click on Game Overlay, and make sure that the “Enable in-game overlay.” option is turned off.
    Disable the Discord overlay
  3. After making this change, close the settings window and see if Discord’s CPU consumption is fixed. If you’re still noticing a high CPU use from the app, restart it, or continue with a different method.

6. Reinstall Discord

Reinstalling Discord can help fix any corrupted files or issues that may be causing high CPU usage. It's possible that your Discord client may have become corrupted due to various reasons, so reinstalling the application can help fix these issues.

  1. Click on the Start menu and choose Settings. You can alternatively use the Windows + I keyboard shortcut as well.
  2. Switch to the Apps section using the menu on the left, and then click Installed apps. All of your installed applications will load on this page.
    Installed apps on Windows 11
  3. Find Discord in the list of installed software. Click on the 3 dots next to the application’s name, and click Uninstall from the list.
    Uninstall Discord
  4. After uninstalling Discord, navigate to the Discord download page and get the latest version of the app. Simply start the installer and follow all on-screen instructions.

7. Use Discord From Your Browser

Using Discord from your browser can be a solution for those experiencing high CPU usage from the Discord application, as it utilizes fewer system resources. While there are some limitations, using Discord from a browser is still an option for those who want to reduce the strain on their computer.

Navigate to discord.com in any browser of your choice, and then click on the Login button in the top right of the screen. Enter your credentials or use the QR code to sign in, and then click the Open Discord in your browser button.

You should automatically get redirected to the discord.com/channels/@me page, which is the browser app version of Discord. Feel free to bookmark this page for easy access in the future if you decide to stick to using Discord in your browser.

Conclusion

In conclusion, experiencing high CPU usage from Discord can be frustrating and impact your overall computer performance. However, there are several solutions available to help reduce this issue. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can troubleshoot the problem and find a solution that works for you.

We hope that these tips have been helpful in resolving any high CPU usage issues you may have been experiencing in Discord.

Tags: How To