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To enable Discord’s in-game overlay, open User Settings > Overlay and turn on Enable Overlay. Start a game and press Shift+` to open it; this is Discord’s default overlay hotkey. The revamped overlay is supported on Windows 10 and 11 and works in windowed or borderless fullscreen modes—not true fullscreen.
How to enable and open the Discord overlay
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Open Discord on your Windows PC and select the gear beside your username to open User Settings.
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Select Overlay in the settings menu.
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Turn on Enable Overlay.
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Launch a game, then press Shift+` to bring up the overlay. Discord documents this as the default hotkey; if you changed the shortcut, use the key combination shown in your Overlay settings.
The overlay lets you access parts of Discord while playing without switching away from the game. Discord’s Game Overlay 101 guide lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 as compatible. It says the feature does not function on macOS or Linux.
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Choose a game display mode the overlay supports
If the overlay does not appear, check the game’s display mode first. Discord’s known-issue guidance says the revamped overlay works in windowed and borderless fullscreen modes, but not true fullscreen. It also hides when the game window loses focus.
| Game display mode | Revamped overlay |
|---|---|
| Windowed | Supported |
| Borderless fullscreen (also called windowed fullscreen) | Supported |
| True fullscreen | Not supported |
Switch the game to Windowed or Borderless Windowed in its video or graphics settings, then try the hotkey again. If you need true fullscreen, Discord documents a global Enable legacy overlay option for users who need it. Discord warns that this option may be removed in the future, so it is not a permanent compatibility guarantee.
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Troubleshoot an overlay that will not appear
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Confirm the game is in a supported display mode. Use windowed or borderless fullscreen for the revamped overlay. If the game loses focus, the overlay is hidden.
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Check that the overlay is enabled. Return to User Settings > Overlay and verify Enable Overlay is on.
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Try the configured hotkey. Shift+` is the documented default, but a customized shortcut will differ. Discord’s Go Live and Screen Share instructions also identify Shift+` as the default overlay hotkey.
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For lag or game instability, turn off the overlay for that game. Discord recommends disabling it for the specific game that is having problems rather than assuming the feature must remain enabled.
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For a crash, gather the relevant log and contact Discord Support. Discord’s overlay guide asks users to include the relevant
discord_hooklog, the game name, and details of the issue when submitting a ticket.
If the hotkey fails in an elevated game
A game running with elevated permissions can prevent the shortcut from working. Discord System Helper may help some users in that situation, but it is experimental and offered only to certain Windows desktop users. Discord says core overlay functionality remains available without installing it; it is not a general prerequisite. See Discord’s Discord System Helper page for its availability and details.
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Customize notifications and use the overlay while playing
Discord’s overlay settings let you enable text notifications, adjust voice display options, and customize how the overlay appears. If messages are missing, check whether the relevant server, direct message, or group is muted, or whether Streamer Mode is enabled; either can prevent messages from appearing in the overlay.
You can also use the overlay to begin a Go Live stream. Discord distinguishes what is captured based on what you share: sharing the game window does not capture the overlay, while sharing the full screen does. See Discord’s Go Live and Screen Share instructions for screen-sharing details.
Quick Recap
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