How to Finally Fix the Infamous “RTC Connecting” Error on Discord

As a fellow tech geek and avid Discord user, I know how frustrating the “RTC Connecting” error can be. You’re hyped to chat with your friends on voice channels, only to be blocked by this endless loop of frustration.

Well my friend, you’ve come to the right place. Today I’ll be providing you with the ultimate troubleshooting guide to banish the “RTC Connecting” error forever!

After digging through mountains of reports, forum posts, and Discord help docs, I’ve compiled the most comprehensive solutions out there. I’ll show you how to pinpoint the cause, whether it’s on your end or Discord’s, and resolve it for good.

Let’s get started and get you chatting again!

What Does “RTC Connecting” Mean?

First, let’s quickly decode what the “RTC Connecting” message means.

RTC stands for “Real-Time Communications”, referring to Discord’s voice chat technology. When you try to connect to a voice channel, Discord attempts to establish a real-time audio connection with their voice servers.

The “RTC Connecting” error means this process failed. Discord is unable to link your device with the required voice server.

Some other common errors you may see during this failed connection process include:

RTC Connecting
Connecting
No Route
ICE Check

These all point to the same root problem – Discord can’t complete the handshake between your device and their voice servers.

But what’s causing this handshake failure? Let’s move on to troubleshooting and find out!

Troubleshooting the RTC Connecting Error

There are two potential directions of the issue:

1. Problem on your end – local network, firewall, VPN, etc.

2. Outage on Discord‘s end – server downtime, voice outage, etc.

To resolve the error, we need to pinpoint which end is causing the problem.

Here are the best troubleshooting steps to isolate the issue:

Check Discord Server Status

First, we’ll check whether Discord is having wider voice server problems. Visit Discord’s status site and look under the Voice category.

If you see outages or service degradation reported, Discord is likely at fault. The “Awaiting Endpoint” connection error is also a sign of voice server failure on Discord’s end.

Restart Your Device and Discord App

If no major outages are reported, try restarting your computer and the Discord application. This can clear out minor software glitches.

Switch Discord Voice Region

In the Discord app, head to User Settings > Voice & Video to change your Voice Server Region. Toggle through different regions to see if one works properly.

Reset Voice Settings

Still not working? From Voice & Video settings, scroll down and click “Reset Voice Settings” to fully refresh them.

Check Your Network Connections

Make sure you have a stable, high-speed internet connection during testing. Try switching WiFi networks or use a wired connection.

Disable VPN and Antivirus

VPN connections and antivirus software are common culprits. Disable them temporarily to see if Discord connects properly. You may need to reconfigure them to allow Discord if that’s the cause.

Check with Your ISP

Contact your ISP to check for any network outages in your area that could impact connectivity.

Use Your Phone as a Hotspot

If possible, connect your computer to a mobile hotspot from your smartphone to test if Discord can connect through a different network.

Fixing RTC Connecting Errors Caused by You

If you’ve determined the “RTC Connecting” issues are on your end, here are the best ways to fix them:

Fix VPN and Firewall Blocks

VPN connections and firewall software are the most common disruptors of RTC connections. Here’s how to resolve them:

Allow Discord connections in your firewall settings – Add Discord to your firewall’s allow list. Windows Firewall has specific instructions for Discord.
Disable or reconfigure VPN software – Many VPNs block RTC. Fully disable your VPN and enable it after voice works to confirm. Or, use a VPN that permits UDP data like ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
Check security software for blocks – Antivirus programs can interfere with Discord. Add Discord as an exception or temporarily disable security software while testing.

Update Network Drivers and Configuration

Outdated or misconfigured network adapters, drivers, and settings can affect connectivity:

Update your Ethernet and WiFi drivers to the latest stable versions.
If using WiFi, ensure your router firmware is updated. Consider switching to a wired connection.
On Windows, disable “Turn on fast startup” in Power options, which can cause networking issues after reboots.
Disable settings like "Energy Efficient Ethernet" that optimize network traffic at the cost of stability.

Change Voice Region Override

As mentioned earlier, try changing your Voice Server Region under User Settings > Voice & Video. Toggle through the options until you find a voice server that connects.

Resolving Ongoing RTC Connecting Errors

If you continue experiencing “RTC Connecting” errors after troubleshooting your device, the problem may be on Discord’s end. Here are the next steps:

Check @DiscordStatus on Twitter

The official @discordstatus Twitter account provides live updates when outages occur. Look for tweets about connectivity problems in your area.

Contact Discord Support

Discord’s support team can look into lingering RTC connection issues. Shoot them a message here: https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us

Provide detailed logs of your connectivity problems and troubleshooting attempts. The team can help identify issues with specific voice server regions.

Wait for Discord to Deploy Fixes

During major outages, Discord engineers work diligently to resolve problems. Subscribing to @discordstatus on Twitter is the best way to track their progress deploying fixes.

Consider Switching Accounts or Regions

As a last resort, try creating a new Discord account on a different email. Or ask friends in other regions if they can connect you to their voice channels. This helps determine if the issues stem from your specific account or region.

Avoiding RTC Problems in the Future

Here are some tips to avoid repeated “RTC Connecting” headaches going forward:

Keep Discord up to date – Install app updates promptly, as they often contain voice connectivity fixes.
Don’t restrict Discord connections – Add Discord to allow lists in VPNs, firewalls, and security software. Test access after making changes.
Ensure unused VPNs are disabled – Completely shutdown VPN services if they aren’t actively being used.
Use Ethernet when possible – Wired internet provides maximum stability for real-time voice traffic.
Configure QoS settings on your router – Quality of Service settings can prioritize Discord voice data for better call quality.
Keep your operating system updated – Stay on top of Windows, macOS, etc. updates, as OS issues can manifest as Discord problems.

In Closing

With the right troubleshooting approach, you can defeat frustrating “RTC Connecting” errors for good. Follow these steps to get Discord voice working again:

Check for Discord outages and restart your device/app
Test connectivity by disabling VPNs and changing voice regions
Allow Discord in firewalls and security software
Update networking drivers, operating systems, and configurations
Contact Discord support if problems persist

Stay calm, be diligent, and you’ll be voice chatting smoothly again soon. Here’s to putting “RTC Connecting” in the past!