How to Send a Voice Message on Discord for PC

Recording and Sending a Voice Message on Discord PC

To send a voice message on Discord PC, click the plus icon next to the message box, select "Upload a File," choose an audio file from your computer, and send it. If you want to record a voice message directly in Discord without leaving the app, you can use a third-party recording tool to create an audio file first, then upload it the same way. Discord does not have a built-in voice message recorder like the mobile app does, so the PC version requires you to either upload an existing audio file or record one separately using your computer's microphone and audio software.

The process takes about 30 seconds once you know where to look. The plus icon sits to the left of the message input field at the bottom of any channel or direct message. Clicking it opens a menu with upload options. Audio files up to 8 MB upload without issues on most connections.

Key Takeaways

Discord PC does not have a native voice message recorder, so you must record audio separately using your computer's built-in tools or third-party software before uploading.
Click the plus icon next to the message box, select "Upload a File," and choose your audio file to send it as a message.
Common audio formats like MP3, WAV, and M4A work on Discord without conversion.
Audio files larger than 8 MB may fail to upload depending on your internet connection and Discord server settings.

Using Your Computer's Built-In Recording Tool

Windows 10 and 11 include a Voice Recorder app that lets you record audio without installing extra software. Open the Start menu, type "Voice Recorder," and click the app. Press the microphone button to start recording, speak into your computer's microphone, and click the stop button when finished. The app saves the file automatically as an M4A file in your Documents folder under "Sound recordings."

Once the recording is saved, open Discord, navigate to the channel or direct message where you want to send it, click the plus icon next to the message box, and select "Upload a File." Browse to your Documents folder, find the voice recording, and click "Open." Discord uploads the file and displays it in the chat as a playable audio message.

Recording with Third-Party Software

If you want more control over audio quality or need to edit your recording, Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. read it from audacityteam.org, install it, and open the program. Click the red record button, speak into your microphone, and click the stop button (the yellow square) when done. Go to File > Export > Export as MP3 to save the file in a format Discord handles easily.

Other free options include OBS Studio (designed for streaming but records audio well) and Vocaroo (a web-based recorder that requires no installation). Both create files you can read and upload to Discord the same way. Choose whichever tool feels most straightforward for your needs.

Uploading Your Audio File to Discord

After your audio file is ready, open Discord and navigate to the channel or direct message where you want to send the voice message. Look for the plus icon (it looks like a small "+" sign) positioned to the left of the message input field at the bottom of the screen. Click it to open a dropdown menu with several options.

Select "Upload a File" from the menu. A file browser window opens. Navigate to the folder where your audio file is saved, click the file to select it, and click "Open." Discord uploads the file and displays it in the chat as a playable audio message. Recipients can click the play button to listen without downloading the file.

File Formats and Size Limits

Discord accepts most common audio formats, including MP3, WAV, M4A, FLAC, and OGG. If your recording software saves in a different format, you can convert it using free online tools like CloudConvert or Zamzar without installing anything. straightforward upload your file, select the output format, and read the converted version.

Discord's file size limit for free accounts is 8 MB per upload. Voice messages typically stay well under this limit—a 5-minute recording usually comes in around 2 to 4 MB depending on audio quality. If your file exceeds 8 MB, trim it in Audacity or another editor before uploading, or use Discord Nitro, which raises the limit to 100 MB.

Troubleshooting Common Upload Problems

If the upload fails, first check your internet connection by opening a web browser and visiting any website. If the browser loads slowly or not at all, wait for your connection to stabilize before trying again. If your connection is fine but Discord still won't upload, try refreshing the Discord window by pressing Ctrl+R on Windows or Cmd+R on Mac.

If the file is rejected, verify that it is actually an audio file and not corrupted. Try opening it in your computer's default media player—if it plays, the file is fine. If it does not play, re-record or re-read the file. Files larger than 8 MB will always fail on a free account; trim the audio or upgrade to Discord Nitro to send larger files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a voice message directly in Discord without uploading a file?

No, Discord PC does not have a built-in voice message recorder. You must record audio separately using Windows Voice Recorder, Audacity, or another tool, then upload the file to Discord. The mobile app has a native voice message feature, but the PC version does not.

What audio format works best for Discord voice messages?

MP3 and WAV are the most reliable formats. M4A and FLAC also work well. If your recording software saves in an unusual format, convert it to MP3 using a free online converter before uploading to avoid compatibility issues.

Why does my audio file fail to upload?

The most common reason is file size—Discord free accounts have an 8 MB limit. Check your file size by right-clicking it and selecting "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac). If it exceeds 8 MB, trim it in Audacity or upgrade to Discord Nitro. If the file is smaller, try refreshing Discord or checking your internet connection.

Can other people read my voice message after I send it?

Yes, anyone in the channel or direct message can right-click the audio file and select "Save As" to read it. If you want to prevent this, do not send the file through Discord—use a voice call instead for real-time conversation.

Is there a way to send a voice message that deletes after the recipient listens?

Discord does not have a disappearing voice message feature. Once you upload an audio file, it stays in the chat history permanently unless you delete the message yourself. For temporary voice communication, use Discord's voice call feature instead.

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