I’ve been having some real issues with screen sharing on Discord since I’ve switched to Ubuntu, and it’s driving me a bit crazy! I used to use Discord on Windows, and everything worked like a charm, but now that I’m on Ubuntu, it seems like I’m hitting wall after wall whenever I try to share my screen during gaming sessions or when I’m just hanging out with friends.
So, I’ve got the latest version of Discord installed, and I’ve definitely checked all the permissions and settings I can think of. When I go to share my screen, I select the window I want to share, but it either just shows a black screen or freezes up completely. It’s super frustrating because everyone else can see their screens just fine, and I’m left awkwardly trying to explain things without being able to show my screen.
I’ve tried the usual stuff, like restarting Discord and my computer, but no luck. I’ve also made sure that my graphics drivers are up to date, which I heard can sometimes interfere with screen sharing functionality. But honestly, I’m a bit lost on what to do next. I’ve seen some people mention using the Flatpak version of Discord instead of the one available through the Ubuntu Software Center, which I might try, but I’m a little skeptical if that will honestly make a difference.
Has anyone else out there experienced similar issues on Ubuntu? Any tips or tricks that made it work for you? Maybe there’s a hidden setting I’m missing or a specific way to launch Discord that might help? I’ve searched online and tried a few things, but I haven’t found a solid solution. I feel like a total noob, and it’s been making my gaming nights really awkward.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! I just want to get back to sharing my screen without it being a huge hassle. Thanks in advance for any advice or solutions you might have!
Discord Screen Sharing Troubles on Ubuntu
It sounds super frustrating, and you’re definitely not alone! Lots of people have run into issues with Discord screen sharing on Ubuntu, especially after switching from Windows. Here are some things you could try:
1. Check Your Graphics Settings
If you haven’t already, try tweaking your graphics settings. Sometimes, using the ‘Windowed’ mode or adjusting the resolution helps out. You could also experiment with different graphics drivers. If you’re using open-source drivers, switching to proprietary ones (like from NVIDIA) might do the trick.
2. Try the Flatpak Version
You mentioned the Flatpak version, and honestly, a lot of people have found success switching to it! It can help with permission issues and might solve the black screen problem. Installing it is pretty straightforward:
flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord3. Set Proper Permissions
Make sure Discord has the permissions it needs. You can check this with the command:
xhost +SI:localuser:YOUR_USERNAMEReplace
YOUR_USERNAMEwith your actual username. This gives Discord permission to interact with your display server more smoothly.4. Run with Software Rendering
Sometimes running Discord with software rendering can help. You can launch Discord like this in the terminal:
DISCORD_USE_SOFTWARE_RENDERING=1 discord5. Update and Restart
Since you’re already on top of updating your drivers and software, giving everything one more restart might help! Also, make sure your system packages are updated:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade6. Look Into Alternative Methods
If Discord just isn’t cooperating, you could always check out other platforms for screen sharing, like Zoom or Skype, until you figure out what’s up!
Don’t feel bad about running into these issues! Ubuntu has its quirks, but with a bit of patience, you’ll get it sorted out. Good luck, and hopefully, you’ll be back to sharing your screen in no time!
Screen sharing issues on Discord while using Ubuntu can stem from several factors, including graphics drivers, window compositor settings, and the version of Discord you are using. Since you’ve noted that you’ve ensured your graphics drivers are updated, it may be beneficial to check your compositor settings. Some users have found that disabling certain compositor effects (like “vsync” or “rendering”) can resolve screen sharing problems. To check this, you can look for the settings in your desktop environment or consider using a different compositor altogether, such as Compton or Picom, which are known to have better performance with screen sharing on Linux systems.
Regarding the version of Discord, trying the Flatpak version can indeed make a difference. The Flatpak installation uses a sandboxed environment, which may handle graphics differently compared to the standard installation. You can install it using Flatpak with the following command:
flatpak install flathub com.discordapp.Discord. Once installed, launch Discord through Flatpak and check if the screen sharing issue persists. Additionally, ensure that you’ve enabled the necessary permissions in both the system settings and Discord itself. If the problem continues, consider checking forums or community discussions for any specific flags or configurations that may need adjustment for optimal performance on your Ubuntu setup.