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How to fix Discord black screen or grey screen issue?

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  • 5 min read

Discord is a popular communication platform gamers, communities, and professionals use. However, users sometimes encounter a black or grey screen when launching the application. This can be frustrating, but several methods can resolve this issue.

This guide will equip you with solutions to tackle this frustrating glitch and get you back to chatting with your friends. You can watch the video below or continue reading the article.

Below we have discussed:

Also read: How to transfer ownership on Discord?


What causes this issue?

Several reasons might be responsible for Discord’s black screen or grey screen issue and we have mentioned the most common ones:

  • Temporary glitches.
  • Poor internet connection.
  • The Discord server is down.
  • Corrupted cache or temporary files.
  • Discord settings causing the issue.

How to fix the issue?

Here are six methods to help you ix the issue:

Restart Discord

Sometimes, a quick refresh is all it takes. Close the Discord app entirely. For good measure, you can even use your task manager to end any lingering Discord processes. Then, relaunch the app. This might be enough to clear a temporary glitch. To open the task manager press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys, find the Discord processes, select them and then click on the End task button.


Check your internet connection

Before attempting more technical solutions, verify that your internet connection is stable. An unreliable or weak connection can lead to issues with Discord.

  • Restart your router: Unplug it, wait for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • Switch to a wired connection: If you’re on WiFi, try using an Ethernet cable for a more stable connection.

Check Discord server status

It’s always a good idea to check if the problem is on Discord’s end. Visit the Discord Status page to see if there are any ongoing server issues. If there’s an outage, you’ll need to wait until Discord resolves the issue.


Delete Discord temp files/cache

Clearing the cache can help fix various issues with Discord, including the black screen or grey screen problem. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run prompt, type %appdata% and hit enter.

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Step 2: Right-click on the Discord folder, and then in the dropdown menu, click on the Delete option. You can also select the Discord folder and press the Delete button on your keyboard.

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Disable a few settings in Discord

There are a few settings available in Discord that might cause the black and grey screen issue with Discord. Disabling them is the best option. Follow the steps below to disable them:

Step 1: Open Discord and click on the Settings (Gear) icon.

Step 2: Click on the Voice & Video option in the sidebar and then on the right side scroll down to the Video Codec section and turn the toggle off beside the OpenH264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc. option. You can also disable the Hardware Acceleration from here.

Step 3: On the same page scroll down to the Screen Share section and turn the toggle off beside Use our advanced technology to capture your screen option.


Reinstall Discord

If the above methods fail, a clean reinstall might be necessary. Uninstall Discord completely, then download the latest version from the official website and reinstall. This ensures a fresh installation free of any corrupted files.

The black or grey screen issue on Discord can be a nuisance, but following the steps outlined above should help you get back to a smooth, uninterrupted Discord experience. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Discord support for further assistance.

Also read: What to do if Discord keeps crashing on Windows?

Akash Singh

Akash Singh

Akash is a law graduate who likes to go for bike rides on the weekends soul-searching for answers to his many existential questions. You can contact him here: singhakash95@pm.me

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