Discord Disconnecting When Tabbed Out

2 min read 06-01-2025

It's incredibly frustrating when your Discord connection drops the moment you switch to another application. This common issue, where Discord disconnects when tabbed out, can stem from several sources. Let's explore the most likely culprits and how to fix them.

Potential Causes and Solutions

Here are some common reasons why Discord might disconnect when you switch tabs, along with practical solutions:

1. Power Saving Modes and Battery Optimization

Many laptops and mobile devices have power-saving features that aggressively limit background processes to conserve battery life. Discord, if identified as a less critical app, might be throttled or even terminated when it's not the active window.

Solution: Check your system's power settings and battery optimization options. Explicitly exclude Discord from any aggressive power-saving measures. You may need to add Discord to an "allow" list or disable battery optimization for the app entirely.

2. Outdated Discord Client

An outdated version of the Discord app can contain bugs that lead to connectivity issues, including disconnects when tabbed out.

Solution: Check for updates within the Discord application itself. The app usually notifies you about available updates, but manually checking for updates is always a good practice. Update to the latest version to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.

3. Network Issues

Underlying network problems, such as intermittent connectivity or high latency, can contribute to Discord disconnecting. This is especially true when other applications are demanding bandwidth.

Solution: Restart your router and modem. Check your internet connection's stability using a speed test. Consider temporarily closing bandwidth-intensive applications while using Discord, particularly if you suspect congestion.

4. Conflicting Software

Occasionally, other software installed on your computer can interfere with Discord's functionality. This interference might manifest as disconnections when the Discord window is inactive.

Solution: If you recently installed new software, try uninstalling it temporarily to see if it resolves the problem. Consider running a malware scan to rule out any malicious software affecting your system.

5. Discord Settings

Rarely, certain Discord settings might inadvertently contribute to disconnection issues.

Solution: Review your Discord settings. While there's no single setting directly causing this issue, ensuring your settings are optimized for your network and hardware is important. Consider turning off any experimental features that may be causing unexpected behavior.

When to Seek Further Assistance

If you've tried these troubleshooting steps and Discord still disconnects when tabbed out, consider contacting Discord's support team directly. Providing them with details of the steps you've already taken will help expedite the resolution process. They may be able to provide more specific solutions or identify a deeper technical problem.