Mastering Discord Streaming: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Discord is a popular free voice communication platform that lets people from around the world connect and chat about anything they’re interested in. Its simple process for live streaming makes it a favorite for streamers at all levels of experience.

You can broadcast anything—such as gameplay, Netflix shows, tutorials, and more. It’s a great space for communities to gather, socialize, and share their passions.

It shares many features with Twitch, but what sets Discord apart is its built-in voice chat capability. This feature enables followers to talk to streamers directly, creating a more interactive experience. It also helps streamers grow their audience and build tighter communities by fostering real-time engagement. Streaming on Discord is often simpler than platforms like Twitch and YouTube since there are fewer rules and technical hurdles; just click a “Go Live” button, and your stream becomes visible on your profile.

However, it’s important to note that Discord’s streaming is limited to the desktop app for Windows and Mac—mobile devices and web browsers do not support live streaming. If you’re used to Twitch’s more advanced streaming options, you’ll find Discord’s features are more basic, but the platform may still be worth trying if you want a ready audience that’s more eager to interact and get involved.

Now, let’s walk through how to start streaming on Discord with a clear, step-by-step guide.

To get started streaming, you need to have your own server and a voice channel set up. You also need to install the Discord app on your computer or Mac. Visit the Discord download page and select the “Download for Mac/Windows” option. After downloading, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Once installed, launch the app. You can log in using a QR code, email, or phone number.

If you’re new to Discord, click on “Register” to create an account. Once logged in, you’ll see your current servers listed on the left, along with options to add new servers or explore existing public ones. To create your own server, click the large green “Plus (+)” icon. This opens a “Create a Server” window featuring several template options like gaming, arts & crafts, or local communities. Alternatively, you can choose “Create My Own” to start with a blank slate.

Add an icon to your server and choose a name that represents it.

Make sure to review Discord’s community guidelines (Community Guidelines) before moving forward.

Your server setup is now complete. You can start inviting friends, share various content types, host live streams, accept donations, and more. For organizing different topics, you can create multiple text and voice channels, allowing members to be grouped by shared interests. A default “General” channel will be available for both voice and text communication.

Creating additional channels is straightforward—simply click on the “+” icon next to either the “Voice Channels” or “Text Channels” tab. Then, pick the channel type, assign a name, and click “Create Channel.” You also have the option to make channels private, restricting access to specific members or roles. Once channels are set up, you’re ready to start streaming on any chosen channel.

Streaming on Discord is limited to the desktop app available for Mac and Windows; it does not support streaming directly from browsers like Chrome, Safari, or mobile devices such as iPhones or Android phones. When streaming games, Discord detects the game automatically and displays it in the chat window—its system recognizes almost every game you might want to stream. Besides gaming, you can also stream your favorite shows or any screen content, choosing whether to show just a specific application or your entire desktop. The platform’s recognition system is particularly optimized for game streaming.

First, open Discord and join a voice channel within the server you want to stream from. Click on the desired voice channel—in most servers, a default “General” channel is available. Once you join, a “Start Video” option will appear in the lower-left corner of the screen, allowing you to turn on your camera and begin your live stream.The image illustrates a Discord voice channel. To start sharing video, click the “Video” button to turn on your camera so you can be seen on screen. To share your screen, select the “Screen” option, which allows you to display your desktop or specific windows to your viewers. When you enable video, your camera feed will immediately appear alongside your shared screen, with no need for additional webcam setup.

Please note, that audio sharing is only supported on Windows 10 or macOS version 10.13 and later. For help enabling audio on your macOS device, follow this guide here. Once you press the “Video” button, your primary device will automatically switch into video mode, and you’ll be live for sharing visuals.

The third image shows the Discord video interface, where your screen will be visible to others. Sharing your screen is simple: click the screen icon to bring up a window where you can choose to share an entire desktop, a specific application window, or an individual screen. From this menu, select what you want to share, and you’ll soon be redirected to the stream settings where you can adjust the streaming quality options.

If you’re a standard Discord user, your streaming resolution is limited to 720p at 30 frames per second. To enjoy higher definitions with smoother motion at 60 fps, and access other chat features, you need to subscribe to Discord Nitro. This premium plan costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. When you’re ready to broadcast, just click the “Go Live” button on the right side to share your screen with your audience.

During streaming, you can switch to a different screen or application by clicking the “Screen” button, then selecting “Change Windows.” This allows you to display other programs or content without stopping your stream.

Once you’re set up, your friends can join your live stream by entering the voice channel you’re broadcasting in.

Head to the server’s voice channel you wish to share your stream in, and your friends will be able to join and watch your stream in real-time.

If your server is new or empty, you can invite friends manually either by clicking “Invite” buttons for individual friends or by sharing an invite link.

Copy this link and share it with anyone you want to invite to your server. You can also customize the invite link by clicking on “Edit invite link,” where you can adjust expiry dates, maximum user numbers, and access permissions. This way, you can control who joins and what they can do within your server.

To end your live stream on Discord, click on the red Disconnect button located at the bottom of your Discord window.

Alternatively, you can click on the small disconnect icon situated at the bottom-left corner of the screen, just above the “Screen” button.

If you’re already inside a server where someone is broadcasting live, you can join their stream with just one click. Look for a red “Live” badge next to their username, indicating they are currently streaming. Click on the server’s username in the voice channel, and a window will appear, giving you the option to watch their stream. Press the “Join Stream” button to start viewing immediately.

You can double-click on the stream window to enlarge it to full screen. To reduce it back to the smaller size, press the “Esc” key.

When streaming your game on Discord, you don’t need to manually add the game. The platform automatically detects what you are playing. First, open your Discord server and start your game as usual. The game will appear on the bottom-left corner of your screen along with a “Go Live” panel that shows the game’s name and a “Stream” button. Click this button to begin broadcasting your gameplay.

Once you press the Stream button, a Picture-in-Picture window will appear, giving you a preview of your stream. You can hover over this window to access options for adjusting settings or ending your stream.

Often, Discord automatically recognizes the game you’re playing and offers an option to stream it. However, some games might not be detected by default, and this isn’t something to worry about. If Discord isn’t recognizing your game, you can manually add it. To do this, open your User Settings by clicking the gear icon located at the bottom-left corner of the screen.

Next, select the Activity Status tab within the Activity Settings section. You will see a message saying “No game detected” along with a link below that reads “Not seeing your game? Add it!”. Click this link, then choose your game from the drop-down menu that appears. After selecting the game, click the “Add Game” button.

Keep in mind that this drop-down will display all active applications on your system, not just games. This includes media players, browsers, and other running programs. After adding your game, the “No game detected” message will turn green and show the name of the game you are now streaming.

Once your game is set, proceed as usual by clicking the “Stream” button in the bottom-left panel to start sharing your gameplay.

If you’re looking to build a gaming community or increase your presence on various servers, knowing how to expand your audience on Discord is a valuable skill for streamers. A dedicated Discord server is an excellent tool for establishing your brand, attracting new followers, and promoting your content. Here are some quick tips to engage your current viewers and draw in new ones.

Organizing events on Discord can significantly boost your stream viewership. You might hold special giveaways, gaming tournaments, or Q&A sessions to encourage people to join and stay active on your server. Events like these not only attract more visitors but can also motivate your current members to invite friends, increasing your community size.

Advertising your server on popular Discord server directories is an effective way to attract new members. These listings act as directories where you can describe your community and include links, which makes them easy for users to discover. They help like-minded gamers find your server, connect, and join discussions. Listings often categorize servers by topics, making it simpler for users to find communities aligned with their interests.

One useful platform to try is Discords.com. Adding your server to these listings can significantly increase its visibility and bring in potential new members.

Beyond that, your server can also be featured on these popular server listing sites:

Always remember to list your server only once or twice to avoid appearing spammy. Overposting can lead to removal from these listings and even a permanent ban.

If you’re aiming to grow your Discord community, Reddit can be a powerful platform. Start by posting about your server in the r/discordservers subreddit. This dedicated Discord community allows you to share a single link to your server. With over 114,000 members, it offers an excellent opportunity to reach a broad audience and attract new members.

When live streaming on Discord, engaging with your viewers in real-time is key. Responding to chat messages, sharing GIFs, and participating in discussions can significantly boost viewer involvement. Streaming to an engaged audience often leads to more meaningful conversations, fostering a strong sense of community. As your community grows tighter, current members will naturally promote your server by inviting others, helping your community expand organically.

Discord servers function like small, interconnected communities where people share ideas, stories, and interests. It’s similar to real-world groups, providing opportunities to make friends and discuss common hobbies like gaming. This shared connection is what makes Discord different from platforms like Twitch, where the focus is more on broadcasting to thousands of viewers. While many users on streaming platforms aim to generate income, Discord offers its own ways to earn money through your community.

Here are some straightforward methods to monetize your server:

Integrating your Patreon account with your Discord server opens up many possibilities. Discord has built-in support for Patreon, allowing you to offer exclusive access to private channels, permit link sharing, and invite members to private streams and voice chats. In return, followers can support you through Patreon memberships, creating a steady revenue stream.

DonateBot is a Discord bot designed to facilitate donations via PayPal. Installing and authorizing the bot in your server enables your members to donate easily. You can then thank donors with special perks like custom roles, or monetize by selling merchandise or digital products and receiving payments through PayPal.

In addition to Patreon and donations, you can earn commissions by recommending affiliate products to your members. Promote relevant and valuable items, clearly disclosing that your links are affiliate-based. For example, if your focus is financial advice, recommending a trusted stockbroker with your affiliate link during a live stream and pinning it in a channel can generate income as your audience makes purchases.

Voice channels let users communicate over audio and video. They are simple to use and are one of Discord’s core features, making it easy to hang out with friends or community members without making calls.

Yes, Discord allows you to stream your full screen. You can select this option in the stream settings before starting your broadcast.

Discord offers several screen sharing choices, including sharing a specific window, the entire desktop, or selecting a particular screen to broadcast.

Unfortunately, no. Discord does not automatically record or save your streams. To keep highlights or recordings, you’ll need to use external software like Shadowplay or other capture tools.

As of 2025, up to 50 people can join your Discord stream simultaneously.

This guide covered everything you need to know about streaming on Discord, from setting up your server to engaging and growing your community. With the increasing popularity of game streaming with live commentary, it’s important to stand out and build a dedicated audience. Once you establish a solid community, you can monetize your streams and generate income from your server.

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