RTC Connecting Discord: How To Fix The Server Error

RTC connecting Discord 1
Credit: Discord

RTC connecting Discord 1
Credit: Discord

If you've been struggling to access Discord, then you may have been nixed by the RTC Connecting Discord error. Argggghh!! another annoying issue after being hit by the Discord stream no sound error. But what exactly is this, and why is it happening? And what might you be able to do about it?

The good news is that it is usually relatively simple to resolve. But there are numerous potential fixes. So without further ado, let's get into it.

How To Fix The RTC Connecting Discord Error

If you do encounter this issue, then the first thing to do is check the status of the Discord servers. If there are any issues, then wait for those to be resolved before trying again.

Your next step is to run the WebRTC Troubleshooter. This can help to identify and fix any potential issues with hardware, such as cameras or microphones, as well as connectivity.

Assuming you've done this, and nothing has been successful, then we'll cover your next steps below.

Restart The App And Your Device

The classic, turn-something-off-and-on-again fix. It's an obvious one, but can often be all you need to do in order to resolve myriad issues. So it's well worth trying n this situation as well.

Check The Time And Date Settings

We've seen this be the solution for other errors that involve connecting to a server. Having an incorrect time and date setting on your device can cause problems when you want to connect to a server. So it's worth making sure that you have the correct time and date set.

Reboot The Network

Your next step is to restart your network. So turn off your router, and leave it for a minute or two. Then switch it back on, and allow it to reboot. Once it is back up and running, try running Discord again.

It is also worth checking that your network drivers are fully up to date. To do this:

  • Open the Device Manager on your PC.
  • Select Network Adapters.
  • Right-click on the adapter you are using, and select Update Driver.
  • Select Search automatically for drivers.

Change Your DNS Servers

We all get given a DNS by our ISP. It acts like a phonebook for the internet, ensuring that traffic gets sent to the correct destination.

But changing your DNS can actually fix this error. And it's relatively simple to do:

  • Open the Run box and type ncpa.cpl, then click OK
  • Right-click on your network and select Properties.
  • Double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Version 6, depending on which version your router uses.
  • Select Use the following DNS server addresses:. For Preferred DNS server, type 8.8.8.8; and for Alternate DNS server, type 8.8.4.4. Click OK.

Once you've done this, you'll need to flush the DNS cache. To do this:

  • Enter cmd in the Windows search box.
  • Right-click the Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.
  • Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit Enter. (Make sure that there is a space between "ipconfig" and "/flushdns").
  • Restart your device to let the changes take effect.

Disable QoS High Packet Priority

This Discord feature tells your router that data being sent to the Discord server is a high priority. But in some cases, this can cause issues with your router, and it has been linked to issues with high ping in certain games. So it may also account for the RTC Connecting error.

To disable this:

  • Go to User Settings on Discord.
  • Select Voice and Video.
  • Next, under Quality of Service, disable the options that says, Enable Quality of Service High Packet Priority

Check Your Firewall/Antivirus

A frequent cause of issues with software is an overzealous firewall or antivirus. So it's worth checking that Discord has been added to the safe list, to prevent these from erroneously blocking the app.

Use A VPN

If the problem might be related to your local server, then using a VPN will connect you to a server in a different location. These have the added benefit of giving you a more private connection as well. Generally though, people don't advise you to use a free VPN.

If you already use a VPN, then it may be worth temporarily disabling it, or switching to a different server, to see if this makes a difference.

What To Do If Nothing Works

If nothing seems to be working, then it's time to try uninstalling, and then reinstalling Discord.

Also, make sure your GPU driver is fully updated.

Finally, go to Voice and Video Settings, and disable OpenH264 Video Codec provided by Cisco Systems, Inc.

And if none of these fixes the problem, contact the Discord Support Team for additional advice.

What Is The RTC Connecting Discord Error?

The RTC Connecting error arises when users are attempting to establish a voice call connection. When it strikes, you will see the message, "RTC Connecting Discord". But what exactly does this mean?

When using Discord, the app relies on something called the WebRTC protocol in order to work. RTC stands for Real-time Chat. But when Discord becomes 'stuck' at this stage, it means that it has been unable to complete the connection, leading to the error.

Usually, this is a network error, where you haven't been unable to successfully connect with a server. And as we said earlier, it's generally fairly simple to resolve. Just work your way through the steps we've outlined above, to have the best possible chance of getting things sorted.