Discord — Audio Subsystem Error — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Discord's audio subsystem is the part of the app that handles all voice and sound — your microphone, speakers, and headphones. An audio subsystem error means Discord has run into a problem initializing or maintaining that audio system. This is most commonly caused by a conflict with your audio drivers, a change in which audio device is active, or a Discord audio setting that does not match your hardware. The fix is almost always found in Discord's own Voice & Video settings.

Affected Models

Discord (Windows app)
Discord (Mac app)

Common Causes

Discord is set to use an audio device that has been unplugged or switched off
An audio driver update changed how your sound card appears to Discord
The Discord audio subsystem setting is set to Legacy mode, which conflicts with modern audio hardware
A Bluetooth headset or headphones disconnected mid-call, leaving Discord with no audio output
Another application changed the default audio device in Windows while Discord was running

How to Fix It

Change Discord's audio subsystem setting. Go to User Settings (the gear icon) > Voice & Video. Scroll down to Audio Subsystem. If it is set to Standard, switch it to Legacy. If it is already on Legacy, switch it to Standard. Click OK and restart Discord.

This single setting change fixes the audio subsystem error for the majority of users. Standard mode works better on modern hardware; Legacy mode works better on some older systems.
Make sure the correct audio device is selected in Discord. In User Settings > Voice & Video, check the Input Device and Output Device dropdowns. Select your actual headphones or speakers by name. Do not leave it on Default if you are using a specific device.

If a Bluetooth device is listed but currently disconnected, Discord will show an audio error. Switch to your wired device or reconnect the Bluetooth device.
Reset Discord's Voice & Video settings to defaults. Scroll to the bottom of User Settings > Voice & Video and click Reset Voice Settings. This clears all custom audio configuration and returns everything to factory defaults. Retest your audio.

If a previous setting was conflicting with your hardware, resetting clears it completely.
Update your audio drivers. Right-click the Start button > Device Manager > Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click your audio device and choose Update Driver > Search automatically for drivers. Restart your computer after the update.

Outdated audio drivers are a frequent cause of Discord audio errors, especially after a Windows Update that changes driver compatibility.
Check Windows sound settings for conflicts. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar > Open Sound Settings. Make sure your correct output device is set as the default. Then click App volume and device preferences and make sure Discord is not routed to a wrong or missing device.

Windows sometimes reassigns audio devices automatically when new hardware is connected. Discord can end up pointed at a device that no longer exists.

When to Call a Professional

Audio subsystem errors are software and settings issues — not hardware failures. You can fix this yourself by following the steps below. If Discord still has no audio after all fixes, and your speakers or headphones work fine in other apps, contact Discord support at support.discord.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discord audio stopped working after a Windows Update. Is that related?

Yes, very likely. Windows Updates frequently include audio driver updates that can change how audio hardware appears to apps. After a Windows Update, Discord may be pointing to an audio device name that no longer matches the updated driver. Go to User Settings > Voice & Video and reselect your headphones or speakers by name — the device listing may have changed.

I can hear others but they cannot hear me. Is this the audio subsystem error?

Not exactly — if you can hear others, the audio subsystem itself is working. The problem is specifically with your microphone input. Check User Settings > Voice & Video and make sure the Input Device is set to your microphone (not 'Default' if Default is resolving incorrectly). Also check that your microphone is not muted in Windows: right-click the speaker icon > Open Sound Settings > Input > make sure your mic is not at zero volume.

Does switching from Standard to Legacy audio subsystem cause any problems?

For most users, switching audio subsystems just changes which internal audio engine Discord uses. Legacy mode is more compatible with older hardware and some audio setups. Standard mode supports newer features like Krisp noise cancellation. If you switch to Legacy and lose noise cancellation features, that is expected — but your audio will work. You can always switch back.