If your Discord screen share has no audio, you are not alone. This is one of the most common Discord issues, especially when streaming games, videos, or apps with custom audio outputs.
The good news: most screen share audio problems are fixable in a few minutes once you know where to look.
This guide walks you through step-by-step fixes that work for Windows, macOS, and browser users.
Quick checklist (try this first)
Before going deep, test these:
- Restart Discord
- Restart your computer
- Rejoin the voice channel
- Make sure you are sharing the application window, not your whole screen
If audio suddenly works, you likely had a routing or session glitch.
Fix 1: Share the app window, not your full screen
This is the #1 cause of Discord screen share having no audio.
When you click Screen Share, you will see two options:
- Screens
- Applications
Always choose the Application Window when you need audio.
Why this matters:
Discord can capture audio from apps. It usually cannot capture system-wide audio when you share your entire screen.
Fix 2: Enable “Share system audio” (Windows)
When selecting an app to share:
Look for:
☑ Share audio
☑ Sound
☑ Application audio
If you do not check this box, Discord will stream video only.
Note: macOS handles this differently and may require extra permissions or drivers depending on the app.
Fix 3: Make sure the app is using the correct audio output
If your game or video player is sending audio to the wrong device, Discord cannot capture it.
Check:
- Windows Sound Output Device
- App-specific audio routing
- Headset vs speakers mismatch
If you are using virtual audio tools, confirm they are routing correctly.
For example, if you experiment with voice or audio tools like CopyKitten, make sure your system output device is still set correctly and not routed to a virtual cable unless you intend it.
Fix 4: Disable hardware acceleration in Discord
Hardware acceleration can break screen capture audio in some GPU and driver setups.
To disable:
- Open Discord Settings
- Go to Advanced
- Turn off Hardware Acceleration
- Restart Discord
Many users fix screen share audio instantly with this step.
Fix 5: Run Discord as administrator (Windows)
Some apps block audio capture unless Discord has higher permissions.
Try:
- Close Discord completely
- Right-click Discord
- Click Run as administrator
Then test screen share again.
Fix 6: Check Windows sound settings
Go to:
Sound Settings → Advanced Sound Options → App Volume and Device Preferences
Make sure:
- The app you are sharing is not muted
- The app is using the correct output device
- Discord is using the same audio device
Fix 7: Update audio and GPU drivers
Outdated drivers can break capture and streaming audio.
Update:
- Audio drivers
- GPU drivers
- Motherboard chipset drivers (sometimes overlooked)
Then reboot your PC.
Fix 8: macOS specific fixes
If you are on Mac:
Grant screen recording permission
System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording → Enable Discord
Grant microphone permission
Even for screen share audio, Discord sometimes needs mic permission enabled.
Restart after permission changes
macOS often requires a full app restart.
Fix 9: Browser Discord screen share no audio
If you are using Discord in Chrome, Edge, or another browser:
Try:
- Switching browsers
- Disabling extensions
- Re-granting screen share permission
- Making sure “Share audio” is checked
Desktop Discord usually works more reliably for audio sharing.
Common screen share audio problems and fixes
Screen share video works but audio is silent
→ Usually wrong share mode (screen vs app window)
Audio is delayed or stuttering
→ Disable hardware acceleration
→ Close background apps
→ Lower stream quality
Audio works for games but not video players
→ Some video apps use protected audio paths
→ Try another player or browser
Audio stops after a few minutes
→ GPU driver issue
→ App switching audio devices automatically
Why Discord screen share audio breaks so often
Modern computers often have:
- Multiple audio devices
- Virtual audio routing
- GPU audio outputs
- Per-app audio settings
Discord screen share relies on capturing audio at the app level. If anything in that chain changes, audio disappears.
FAQ: Discord screen share no audio
Why does Discord screen share have no sound for YouTube or Netflix?
Some streaming platforms use protected audio paths that prevent capture. Try another browser or player, but note some content cannot be captured by design.
Why can people hear my mic but not my screen share?
Mic audio and screen share audio use different capture paths. Your mic working does not guarantee app audio capture will work.
Does using voice tools or audio routing apps break screen share audio?
Sometimes. Virtual audio devices can change where sound is routed. Double-check output devices if you use audio tools or voice AI software.
Final thoughts
If your Discord screen share has no audio, start with these three fixes:
- Share the app window, not the screen
- Make sure Share Audio is enabled
- Confirm your app output device is correct
Most users solve it right there.
From there, move into hardware acceleration, permissions, and driver updates.