Discord is one of the favorite apps of people that lets them communicate with each other. It has amazing services and features. One of them is this feature called Discord overlay. The overlay feature enables the users to talk with peers while playing a game on full screen. But, some users are facing issues with this overlay feature.
The users are complaining about this error as they couldn’t enjoy the game completely because this error doesn’t allow the users to communicate with their friends while playing. So, in this article, let us discover what causes Discord overlay error and how to fix it.
What Causes Discord Overlay to not Show Up?
The reasons are listed below, which could be the potential problems that cause this error.
Overlay option itself: This is the very basic reason that is responsible for the failure of this feature. Most of the users don’t actually know how to configure the settings properly. To make this overlay function work, users have to turn on this overlay option for the game they are playing, and also, they have to add that specific game to the Discord game list. If users didn’t do any one of these, then this error could occur.
Scaled Display: If you have set up your windows with a scaled display, then it might hide or prevent the overlay feature from showing up.
Overlay Location: As the overlay feature display can be moved around, users sometimes move it far out of the monitor screen. So, you couldn’t use this feature despite it is functioning correctly.
Antivirus: Sometimes, antivirus software blocks or flags the Discord overlay feature as threats and block the feature.
Hardware Acceleration: In hardware acceleration, the hardware is used to improve the efficiency of some functions than what is possible in software. If this hardware acceleration feature is turned on, it can result in issues with the overlay feature.
How to Fix Discord Overlay Not Working
Now, you understood why this overlay feature doesn’t work and the causes behind it. Let us now analyze how to fix this error using these nine 9 methods. But, before you try these methods, it is recommended to reboot the system or the Discord app. Sometimes, it’s just a minor error that can be fixed using a reboot. So, give it a shot before you actually try these nine methods.
Method 1: Turn on Game Overlay
This is the first method to try. The very basic method to resolve this error is to turn on the overlay option for your specified game. Follow the steps below, so that you can fix this issue by turning on the game overlay.
Step 1: Firstly, you have to open Discord.
Step 2: Now, you have to click on the settings icon, which is usually on the right side of your avatar.
Step 3: Now, you have to select overlay from the left panel
Step 4: In this step, the Enable in-game overlay option must be turned on.
Step 5: Now, again, from the left panel, you have to select Game Activity.
Step 6: You can now see the status of the overlay for a specific application. The specified application must be highlighted on the green color of the overlay is on. If the overlay feature isn’t turned on, you have to click on the monitor icon, and you will see the overlay feature turning on.
Step 7: If your game isn’t listed on the game list, then you add your game by just clicking on Add it! After clicking on it, you will get a drop-down menu, and you can select your games from that menu. Then, you have to click on add game. Now, repeat the above six steps to turn on the overlay option for your newly added game.
Now, check if the error is sorted or still the issue persists. If this method didn’t fix the issue, try the below methods.
Method 2: Turn off Hardware Acceleration
As hardware acceleration can prevent this feature from working, you can turn off the hardware acceleration to make overlay work. Follow the below steps to do so.
Step 1: Firstly, you have to open Discord
Step 2: Now, you have to click on the settings icon, which is usually on the right side of your avatar.
Step 3: Now, you have to select Appearance from the left panel.
Step 4: In the right panel, you will get a list of options. You have to scroll down till you reach hardware acceleration.
Step 6: Switch off hardware acceleration.
Step 7: If asked for any confirmation, clock ok and reboot the Discord app.
Check if the issue is fixed.
Method 3: Rescale the Display
As discussed in the causes, rescaling the display can also stop the overlay feature from working. Usually, some users set their display to various percentages instead of the default 100%. So, bringing back the display percentage to 100% can actually help to fix this error. Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Firstly, you have to hold the windows key and press I.
Step 2: Now, you need to click on the system.
Step 3: You can see the scale and layout option in the display section. You have to select the 100%(recommended) option.
Doing so sets the scaling to the default size. So, the overlay feature must be working now. Check if the issue is sorted.
Method 4: Move the Overlay
Sometimes, you might accidentally move the overlay feature too much of the screen. It is most likely possible that everything is working, but you are unable to see the overlay because of its location. So, relocating the overlay can solve the issue. Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Firstly, close the current game and then open Discord.
Step 2: Now, you need to press and hold the SHIFT, CTRL, and I buttons(SHIFT+CTRL+I) while you are in Discord. This will open a console of JavaScript on the right side of the screen.
Step 3: Now, you need to click on the >> icon (arrow), which is in the top right corner of the JavaScript console.
Step 4: You now need to select an application from the created new list.
Step 5: Then, you have to double click on Local Storage from the newly created panel on the left.
Step 6: Now, you will be able to see the newly created entry in the Local Storage. This new entry will be called https:\\discordapp.com. You then have to click on it.
Step 7: Now, right-click on the Overlay store(or overlay store V2). You will be finding this in the key column.
Step 8: Now, select the delete option.
Step 9: Lastly, you have to reboot Discord.
Now, launch the game and check if the issue is sorted.
Method 5: Update Discord
It could happen that this feature doesn’t work just because of a recent update which could introduce a bug. If you are facing the issue after any recent update, then this could be the case.
So, try updating again to the latest version of Discord so that the latest version could be error-free for the overlay feature.
Method 6: Run as Administrator
Sometimes, this overlay feature doesn’t work because it might not be granted all the permissions it needed. So, running the application in administrator mode can sort this issue. We can grant all the privileges that Discord needs to run without any errors. Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Firstly, you need to right-click on the Discord executable, which will be present on your desktop or in the Discord installation folder, and then select the Properties option.
Step 2: Now, in the properties, you need to click on the compatibility tab, and you need to press the Run this program as an administrator button.
Step 3: Then, you need to click on the apply button to make the necessary changes and then click on the OK button to exit out of the window.
Step 4: Lastly, run the Discord again and check if the issue is sorted.
Method 7: Allowing Through Antiviruses
Some of the antivirus and firewall applications have strict restrictions on third-party apps. So, it is possible they are preventing/stopping the overlay feature. So, adding an exception for Discord in both Firewall and other antivirus software can help in solving the issue. Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Firstly, you have to press the windows and R buttons simultaneously to launch the run prompt.
Step 2: Next, you have to type the control panel, and press enter to go to the control panel interface.
Step 3: Then, you need to click on the view by option and then select the Large icons options, and then you have to click on Windows Firewall Defender prom.
Step 4: Now, you have to select the button, Allow a feature or an app through Firewall on the left panel, and later click on the Change Settings option, and you need to accept the prompt.
Step 5: In this step, you have to make sure that you check two of the Public and Private options for Discord and related drivers/applications of it.
Step 6: Then, you have to save the changes you made and exit out of the window.
Step 7: Later, you have to press windows and I so that the settings will launch, and then you have to click on the Update and Security option.
Step 8: Now, you have to click on the Windows Security button, and then you need to click on the Virus and Threat Protection button.
Step 9: You now have to select the manage settings option in the Virus and Threat protection option.
Step 10: Now, you need to click on the Add or remove exclusions option by scrolling down in the next window.
Step 11: You have to click on the Add an exclusion option and then select folder from the drop-down menu
Step 12: Now, you need to specify the installation folder of Discord and exit out of this window after you save the changes.
Step 13: Check if the issue is resolved.
You have to make sure that Discord isn’t being blocked by third-party antivirus software.
Method 8: Reinstall Discord
Sometimes, some problems like storage failures or system failures while installing the Discord can really damage the functioning of Discord. So, in this step, we will be looking at how to reinstall Discord after completely removing it from your computer. Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Firstly, you have to press the windows and R buttons simultaneously on your keyboard to open the run command window.
Step 2: Next, you need to type control and then press enter to enter the control panel tab.
Step 3: Now, you have to scroll to the option View by>category, and then you need to select Uninstall a program.
Step 4: You will now get a pop-up window on your screen, which consists of a list of programs. Now, select Discord and then press the uninstall opt-in on the screen.
Step 5: Now, you will get some on-screen instructions. Follow them to completely remove Discord from your computer.
Step 6: Now, restart your PC after finishing the installation.
Step 7: You need to download the latest Discord version from their official website.
Step 8: Now, once the download is finished, you need to click on executable to run it on the PC, and you have to follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation.
Step 9: Lastly, check if your issue is sorted.
This could probably fix the Discord overlay not showing error.
Method 9: Disable Background Applications
In certain situations, some background programs may interfere and corrupt some functions of the Discord applications, which might stop the overlay feature from showing up. So, in this step, we will be learning how to disable the background applications on your computer. For that to happen, Follow the below steps:
Step 1: Firstly, press the Windows and R buttons simultaneously (Windows + R) to launch the run prompt and type MSConfig in the given bar.
Step 2: You now have to press enter for the execution of the command and launch the MSConfig window.
Step 3: Now, select the Startup tab, and then you have to click on each application that is set up to start at launch and then click on the Disable option one by one.
Step 4: Now, you need to click on the services tab and then check the box named Hide all Microsoft services.
Step 5: Also, click on the Disable all button to stop all applications and services from running at startup.
Step 6: Then, you have to click on OK and then restart your PC.
Step 7: After restarting, check if the issue is sorted. You can get out of this issue by permanently disabling the software, which is causing trouble.
Method 10: Use a VPN
VPN(Virtual Private Network) allows you to use the internet without exposing your original IP address so that you can browse the internet securely and access the web, even from servers of other countries.
It might happen that Minecraft has restrictions in your demographic area, or it is banned. So, using a VPN can help you in accessing Discord servers. But, you have to make sure that you use a trusted VPN. It is recommended to use the Nord VPN. You need to select the plan and install the software.
Method 11: Use Overlay Hotkey
If a hotkey that you assigned for enabling the overlay at the start is overlapping with any other hotkey that you have configured on Discord, then that could be the reason for the malfunctioning of this overlay feature. To solve this issue, the steps below:
Step 1: Firstly, you need to open the Discord app and go to settings in it.
Step 2: Now, under app settings on the left panel, you will find an icon overlay. You have to click on it.
Step 3: In this step, you need to locate an option of the current hotkey besides the Enable in-game overlay option.
Step 4: Lastly, you need to reconfigure the new hotkey here and use it later to open the overlay feature when you reopen the game.
Check if the issue is resolved.
Method 12: Restart Discord Completely
At the time of installation, it is possible that Discord isn’t stated properly on your computer. So, we need to disable it completely on your PC, and you then need to restart it to check the issue is sorted.
Step1: Firstly, you have to press the windows and R buttons simultaneously on your keyboard to open the run command window.
Step 2: Next, you need to type taskmgr and then press enter which will launch the task manager.
Step 3: Now, you need to click on processes in the task manager which will show you a list of the processes that are active.
Step 4: Now, you need to click on the Discord process. Next, you need to select the end task button on the task manager.
Step 5: In this step, you need to make sure that the list is scanned carefully and disable every instance of the Discord app.
Step 6: Lastly, check if the issue is resolved.
Method 13: Disable other Versions
If you are running both the normal and PTB versions of discord simultaneously, then this overlay error could occur. You have to make sure that these versions don’t run simultaneously. Change the settings to run only a single version of Discord.
Check if the issue is resolved.
Method 14: Contact Discord Support
If you have tried every method mentioned above and nothing has worked out for you, then you can contact discord support. Their official website has a separate section for support called Support Section which helps in resolving some issues. For, instant help there are some articles included on their page. You can type in the keywords of the problems that you are facing. So, they can help you. You can also contact them via Twitter by making a tweet of your problem.
Conclusion
We hope that we provided effective solutions to the overlay feature not showing errors. Try them all, one by one and we hope that your problem with the overlay feature gets sorted.