How to Mute Discord on OBS [4 Methods for 2026]

Discord is the go-to voice chat app for gamers and streamers, while OBS Studio is the industry standard for live streaming and recording. The problem? When you stream, Discord notification sounds, friend join alerts, and voice chat audio can leak into your stream, creating a messy listening experience for your audience. Here is how to mute Discord on OBS cleanly in 2026.

Method 1: Application Audio Capture (OBS 30+)

OBS Studio version 30 and later includes a dedicated Application Audio Capture source that makes muting individual apps effortless.

1. Open OBS Studio and go to your scene.
2. Click the + button under Sources and select Application Audio Capture (Beta).
3. In the properties window, select Discord from the application dropdown.
4. This creates a separate audio source for Discord that you can mute, adjust volume independently, or route to a different audio track.

This is the cleanest method because it isolates Discord from your desktop audio entirely. You can hear Discord through your headphones while keeping it silent on stream.

Method 2: Windows Volume Mixer

If you are on Windows and prefer not to use Application Audio Capture, the classic Volume Mixer approach still works perfectly.

1. Right-click the speaker icon in your Windows taskbar and select Open Volume Mixer.
2. Look for Discord in the application list. If it is not showing, make sure Discord is running and producing sound.
3. Click the speaker icon under Discord to mute it entirely, or drag the slider down to reduce its volume.
4. The change applies instantly. OBS will no longer capture Discord audio because it is muted at the system level.

Note: This mutes Discord everywhere, including your headphones. Use this when you do not need to hear Discord yourself.

Method 3: Route Discord to a Separate Audio Device

For the most control, route Discord to a virtual audio cable and only include that cable in your OBS scene when you want it.

1. Install a virtual audio cable tool like VB-Cable or VoiceMeeter.
2. Open Discord Settings > Voice & Video > Output Device and select your virtual cable.
3. In OBS, add an Audio Input Capture source and select the same virtual cable.
4. Now Discord audio flows through the virtual cable. Mute or unmute the OBS source to control whether your audience hears it.

This method gives you a dedicated fader for Discord in your OBS audio mixer, letting you adjust volume dynamically during your stream.

Method 4: Discord Streamer Mode

Discord’s built-in Streamer Mode automatically suppresses notifications while you are live.

1. Open Discord Settings > Streamer Mode.
2. Toggle Enable Streamer Mode on.
3. Check Hide Personal Information to protect your email, tags, and connected accounts.
4. Check Disable sounds to mute all notification audio while streaming.

Streamer Mode does not mute voice chat audio, only notification sounds. Combine it with Method 1 or 3 for complete control.

Quick Summary

Choose the method that fits your workflow. For most streamers, Application Audio Capture combined with Streamer Mode provides the best balance of control and simplicity.