Some users have problems with their Discord overlay ruining their Steam screenshots. That means the overlay may appear in the screenshot unwanted. Others can’t take a screenshot because of a conflict between the two examples of software, or experience issues with poor quality screenshots. Finally, we’ve seen plenty of gamers complain their Steam screenshot folder location starts filling up with screenshots when signed in to Discord as if the key got stuck. Solving this concern is essential because both are types of software gamers use worldwide. Thus, let’s show you how to fix the Steam screenshot Discord overlay issue.
1. Update Steam and Discord
Like any software you have difficulties with, always check you’re using the latest version to ensure the issue wasn’t a temporary conflict. Developers work off of internal bug reporting lists and public and submitted user feedback, and the issue may be temporary and already resolved.
Steam updates itself automatically when you launch the software. Regardless, it doesn’t hurt to go to Steam → Check for Steam Client Updates… in the top menu once it starts. Discord also receives the latest updates when users launch the software. However, you can maximize Discord (□ icon in the window top bar) then press Control (Ctrl) + R on Windows PC and Command + R on Mac to reset Discord. After the software relaunches, it will check for updates again.
2. Fix the Discord overlay issue by setting a different Steam screenshot key
We don’t hide the fact we’re big fans of the Steam game distribution platform and have taught our readers to take a Steam screenshot. However, that guide focuses on using the default button (usually F12) for screenshot-taking, which many users report as the source of the problem. Other users report that whenever Discord Overlay is open, it wreaks havoc with the Steam screenshot library. That can make Steam take blurry screenshots or start spamming screenshots and starts filling the memory over time. Regardless of your situation, you can change the Steam screenshot button or set one if it isn’t there.
Although the software should forbid that, ensure the button for Steam Overlay and screenshots are different. Test whether this work, since sometimes your computer lacks permissions, especially if you moved the screenshot or game installation folder. If the screenshot key goes back to ‘none’ or the old setting, folders may be read-only, or your Windows, macOS, or Linux user account needs better access. You can always try to run Steam with administrator privileges before opening Discord. On Windows, right-click on Steam on the desktop → Run as administrator.
3. Configure another Discord overlay key to fix Steam screenshot problems
Unsurprisingly, if you configure the same key for Discord and Steam, you cause a conflict between the two examples of well-known gamer software. Even if you don’t, in some cases, using the same type of key can cause issues. An example includes both software using Shift, Command, Control, or even number pad and Function key (F1-F12). We would also stay away from additional keys on gamer keyboards and media keys if possible. With that said, follow these steps to set a different Discord overlay key:
- Go to User Settings (cogwheel icon) in the bottom left corner.
- Click on Game Overlay under “Activity Settings” on the left.
- Make sure Enable in-game overlay is turned on.
- Click on Record Keybind under “Toggle Overlay Lock”.
- Press the desired key and Discord will record and show it.
- You can now test whether the conflict between Discord and Steam exists. As a way to patch issues temporarily, you can press the key combination to disable the Overlay, take a Steam screenshot, then press the key to enable it again.
4. Disable Discord overlay for a specific game or entirely
When following the instructions in method 2, you must’ve seen the option to turn the overlay off by removing the checkmark in front of “Enable Steam Overlay.” Although they may not look connected, the feature is part of the overlay so that it works across all games in the library. Thus, you can’t take screenshots in-game without it. Therefore, we propose turning off Discord’s overlay instead. Depending on the situation, here’s how disabling the Discord overlay key works:
- When not talking — Go to User Settings → Game Overlay under “Activity Settings” again, then select Only While Speaking under “Display Names” and “Display Users”
- A specific game — User Settings → Registered Games → Find a game on the list or if Discord hasn’t detected it, click Add it! to add it → Click the screen icon to disable the overlay for that title (it will turn red)
- All games — Go to the “Game Overlay” menu then toggle the switch next to Enable in-game overlay to off
5. Use alternatives and contact game developers
If you can’t get the Steam screenshot feature to work, you can rely on the functionality built into the game. Check the settings while playing the game, configure a key, and check the game folder. Those usually only capture the frame you’re on rather than take a picture of the screen. That lets many games capture screenshots at much higher resolutions than the one you’re playing. If that fails, you can use a hotkey to disable Discord overlay, then:
- Take a regular screenshot of the whole screen by pressing Print Screen on your keyboard
- Screenshot the active window by pressing Alt + Print Screen keys together
Press Ctrl + V (Windows, Linux) or Command + V (Mac) in Paint, Adobe Photoshop, or other image editing software, and save the screenshot. Unless many people report the problem at once, we suspect this issue stems from the Steam game you’re playing rather than a conflict between Discord and Steam. Therefore, we propose reaching out to game developers to notify them that overlays interact improperly.