Watching YouTube with friends over Discord is more popular than ever—whether for movie nights, study groups, or just casual hangouts. In this guide, you'll learn four effective ways to stream YouTube on Discord, plus how to avoid black screen issues and share downloaded videos seamlessly.

Can You Stream YouTube on Discord?

Yes, you can stream YouTube on Discord using either screen sharing or by uploading video files. Here’s how each method works: 

Direct Video Uploads (Files):

Discord supports video formats like MP4, MOV, and WEBM. However, it has size limitations. The maximum for free users is 25MB, whereas for Nitro users, it is between 100MB and 500MB, depending on their subscription tier. Sharing a video file on Discord is easy. Drag, drop, or upload the file into a chat (server or DM).

Screen/Video Streaming (Go Live):

This feature allows users to share their screen, a browser tab (for example, YouTube), or a game in a voice channel. You can enable system sound, as Discord provides audio support. The video quality options are 720p by default for free users and 1080p for Nitro users. The maximum video resolution is 60FPS.

Discord is best for smaller streams. Let’s discuss the audience size for streaming (Go Live).

• Standard Voice Channels – up to 25 viewers for non-Nitro users
• Nitro-boosted servers – up to 50 viewers

Points to Note:

• Only desktop users can stream, whereas mobile users can only watch but not host them.
• Discord is not ideally suited for larger audiences as they could experience lag based on stream quality and bandwidth.

However, direct video file sharing has no viewer limit. Anyone in the chat can see it.

Before You Stream on Discord

• Use a desktop device (screen sharing works only on PC/macOS)
• Update your Discord app to the latest version
• Join a voice channel and ensure streaming permissions
• For YouTube audio: Windows users can use Soundshare; Mac/Linux may need third-party tools
• Use Chrome or Edge browsers for best compatibility

Part 1: Stream YouTube on Discord – Step-by-Step

Method 1: Stream YouTube on Discord (Mobile)

You can stream YouTube on Discord from both Android and iOS, but the steps vary slightly.

For Android:

Step 1. Open Discord and join a Voice Channel.

Step 2. Tap Screen → allow permissions → tap Start Now

Step 3. Switch to YouTube and play your video.

Step 4. Return to Discord to confirm the stream is live.

Note: Android may not share audio directly. Use a Bluetooth speaker or external audio routing as a workaround.

For iOS:

Step 1. Open Discord and join a Voice Channel

Step 2. Tap Go Live (screen icon) → select Share Audio → tap Start Broadcast

Step 3. Open YouTube (Safari or app) and play your video

Step 4. Go back to Discord to ensure it’s streaming

Note: iOS generally supports audio sharing better, but older iOS versions may not support in-app audio.

Pro Tips for Both:

• Use Watch Together (if enabled in your server) for better sync and controls
• Or, stream from your PC, then join via mobile for improved audio quality
• Share a YouTube link in chat → select Watch Together (when available)

Method 2: Stream YouTube on Discord (PC/Desktop)

Streaming via PC gives you better control, especially for audio and resolution.

Screen Share Method – Best for Live Viewing

Step 1: Launch Discord and join a Voice Channel

Step 2: Click Screen Share (next to mute icon)

Step 3: Choose a browser tab with YouTube open (or full screen) 

Step 4: Enable Sound → choose resolution → click Go Live

Step 5: Play your YouTube video

Note: Nitro users can stream at 1080p@60FPS; free users are limited to 720p

Watch Together Method – Requires Discord Activities

Step 1: Join a Voice Channel with Activities enabled

Step 2: Click the Activities icon (rocket)

Step 3: Choose Watch Together → paste YouTube URL → hit Play

Everyone in the channel can control the video together

Part 2: Extra Tips & Workarounds About Watch Youtube on Discord

The additional methods introduced here are suitable for advanced users or those who wish to avoid common issues such as black screens and audio desynchronization.

VLC Method: Advanced Option for Tech Users

Step 1: Install VLC Media Player. Usually, your PC would have it pre-installed.

Step 2: Copy the YouTube URL of your desired video.

Step 3: Open VLC and Stream YouTube. Go to Media—Open Network Stream, paste the YouTube URL, and press "Play."

Step 4: Share the VLC Window on Discord using Discord's "Application Window."

Points to Note:

Advantages: Simple, no third-party tools required

Disadvantage: You can only share audio when streaming on a system running Windows 10 or macOS version 10.13 or later.

Notes: Chrome/Edge browser recommendations, make sure audio sharing is enabled

Stream YouTube without Black Screen — Use StreamFox for Video

If you encounter black screens, video lag or audio delay when using Discord screen sharing, you can first download the video with Eassiy One-stop Streaming Video Downloader—StreamFox for Video and then play and share it through Discord.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Install and open StreamFox for Video. Select YouTube from the six options available on the screen.

Step 2: Access your YouTube Premium account through StreamFox's integrated browser.

Step 3: Paste your favorite YouTube URL in the search bar. Alternatively, drag the title into the red box. Click "Add to Queue."

Step 4: Select your preferred video resolution depending on your device’s storage capacity.

Step 5: Click the dropdown menu and choose your preferred video output format. Click Convert.

Step 6: The downloaded video files are stored in the Finished section.

After the download is complete, upload the video or share the player window via Discord. For information on how to watch YouTube premium videos for free, please refer to this article—Unlock Members-Only YouTube Videos Without Paying.

Applicable scenarios: 

• Black screen issue that cannot be resolved
• Long video that needs to be watched multiple times
• Hope to watch offline at any time and save data

How to Share Downloaded YouTube Videos via Discord

Here are two ways to share and watch videos downloaded with StreamFox via Discord, which are suitable for situations where black screen or lag issues cannot be resolved.

Method 1: Direct Upload (Suitable for short video files)

Applicable to users whose file size does not exceed the Discord upload limit:

Step 1: Open the Discord app and join a voice channel or server.

Step 2: Click the “+” button (Attach) and select the file you want to upload.

Step 3: Once the file is downloaded, click “Open.” Your friends can then watch the video directly using Discord.

Note: Free users have a 25MB upload limit, whereas Nitro users can upload from 50MB to 500MB, depending on their subscription.

Method 2: Screen Sharing (Suitable for large files or group viewing)

Suitable for scenarios where the video is large or simultaneous viewing is desired:

Step 1: Open Discord. Join a Voice Channel.

Step 2: Click “Screen Share.”

Step 3: Select the window where you play the video (VLC player or media player)

Step 4: Select your resolution and frame rate, depending on your subscription plan.

Step 5: Click “Go Live.” Start sharing your video. Your friends can join the stream and watch the video together.

Tips: Best Stream Settings on Discord

To enhance the viewing experience, it is recommended to optimize the Discord interface and performance based on the following Settings:

1. Run Discord as an Administrator: Games or high-load software may affect the quality of video sharing. Right-click the Discord icon > select "Run as Administrator".

2. Turn off hardware acceleration (using CPU): Enter Discord Settings > "Voice and Video" > Advanced > Turn off "Hardware Acceleration"

3. Adjust Screen Sharing Settings: In the Screen Share pop-up, select "Smoother Video" → adjust the resolution and frame rate appropriately

4. Stable Internet Connection: It is recommended to use broadband or a stable network to avoid lag. Under weak network conditions, you can download first and then play for better results.

Part 3: Automatically Share New YouTube Videos on Discord

Discord community users love to remain updated for enhanced engagement. Therefore, automatically sharing new YouTube videos on Discord fosters active community interaction. Let’s discuss how to set up automatic sharing of new YouTube videos on Discord.

Step 1: Choose a platform offering a Quick Connect template for YouTube to Discord integrations.

Alternatively, you can select the trigger manually. It indicates when your YouTube channel publishes a new video.

Step 2: Sign into your Google account and grant permission to authorize the integration platform to access your YouTube account.

Step 3: Access YouTube settings to find your Channel ID. Enter it to link to your specific YouTube account.

Step 4: Test your trigger to check whether it detects new videos from your YouTube channel.

Step 5: Click "Run View record" to confirm the trigger test. It ensures that the connection is established correctly and is functional.

Step 6: If you have set up manual integration, choose "Discord" as the action app. This ensures that posting to Discord is triggered whenever you post a new YouTube video.

Step 7: Log into your Discord account and grant the necessary permissions to authorize the integration platform to access it.

Step 8: Choose a specific server and channel to share your YouTube video links.

Step 9: Name your bot to customize the integration. It simplifies the task of recognizing your brand.

Step 10: Set the automation into action to enjoy the new videos posted on your YouTube channel.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. How to Connect My YouTube Channel to Discord

The most preferred method of connecting your YouTube channel to Discord is through YouTube Studio.

Step 1: Log into YouTube and go to YouTube Studio.

Step 2: Click Settings – Notifications. Click Add under Discord and authorize the connection.

Step 3: Choose your preferred Discord server.

Step 4: Select a channel to post your YouTube updates.

Step 5: Confirm the setup to auto-post your new videos.

Q2. Why can't Discord hear my YouTube stream?

Audio routing issues, incorrect settings, and not granting proper permissions can be reasons for Discord not hearing your YouTube stream. You can set it right by enabling “Share Audio” in Discord. Alternatively, you can use a virtual audio cable. Running Discord as an administrator can resolve the issue. You can also turn off hardware acceleration.

Q3. How to chat and interact while streaming?

The most straightforward way to chat and interact while streaming is to use built-in chat overlays.

For YouTube Live

Step 1: Go to YouTube Studio – Live Control Room

Step 2: Enable “Live Chat”

Step 3: Pin the chat window on your phone.

Step 4: Reply directly by typing in the chat box.

For Twitch:

Step 1: Open Twitch Creator Dashboard – Stream Manager

Step 2: Enable “Chat.”

Step 3: Use Mod View to ban/timeout trolls quickly.

Conclusion

Discord allows users to share YouTube videos and watch them together with friends. We have discussed ways to stream YouTube videos on Discord on your mobile and PC. We also introduced a novel solution to eliminate the black screen when downloading YouTube videos on your devices, which allows you to share them on Discord and watch them offline. Enjoy the seamless experience and upload your YouTube videos on Discord as soon as you post them.