How to Change Discord Server Location (Voice Region Override)

People search for a Discord server location when voice chat lags, robotic voices cut in or a group of friends in different countries can't get a clean call. The fix exists, but it works differently from what the search suggests, so I'll start with that.

I've followed Discord's Voice Regions FAQ and its troubleshooting guide. If you run a community, a gaming night, a coaching group or a client workspace on Discord, this is the setting that decides where your voice calls are hosted.

What Discord means by server location and voice region

Discord says it hosts voice calls itself, and each voice channel in a server, plus calls in private DMs, uses a voice region. There isn't a single location switch for the whole server. You set the region for each voice channel, which means one server can have channels in several regions, which Discord says can give members a better voice experience.

Text channels don't have a region setting. If your messages are slow rather than your voice, the fix is likely your internet connection or an app problem, and my guide to clearing the Discord cache is a better place to start.

Why Discord leaves server location on Automatic

By default, every voice channel is set to Automatic, and Discord says that's what it recommends. With Automatic, Discord picks the region based on the first person who connects to the empty voice channel.

The region doesn't change while people come and go. Discord's FAQ says it stays the same until everyone has left and the channel is empty. When a new group joins, the first person to connect sets the region again.

Changing the Discord voice channel region on desktop or in a browser

1. Find the voice channel in your server's channel list.
2. Right-click it and choose Edit Channel, or hover over it and select the gear icon.
3. Open Overview in the Voice Channel Settings.
4. Use the Region Override dropdown to choose a region.
5. Save if Discord asks you to.

Discord says you need the Manage Channels permission in the server to see this setting. If you can't, ask a server admin or the owner to do it.

Changing the Discord voice channel region on your phone

1. Touch and hold the voice channel you want to change.
2. In Channel Settings, tap Region Override.
3. Select the region you want.
4. Press the save icon in the bottom-right corner so the change sticks.

Discord points out that the override stays in place for all future calls in that channel until someone changes it again, so it's not a one-off setting.

Changing the Discord region for a DM call

Private calls have a region too. On the desktop app or browser, you can see the region name at the top right of the call screen. Hover over it, click it and choose another region. Discord says there's no third step.

This option isn't available on the mobile app at this time, and like voice channels, a DM call starts by choosing the best region based on the person who started the call.

Choosing a Discord region when your group is spread out

Discord's tip is to choose a region in the middle between you and the others. Its example is a group with some players on the west coast of the US and some on the east coast, who might try US Central. The same thinking works for any spread-out group: think about where most people are and pick somewhere that doesn't favour one person.

• Ask each member how the voice sounds, not only whether it works.
• Change one setting at a time, then test with a short call.
• If everyone is in one place, Automatic usually does the job.
• Keep a note of the region you chose, in case you need to change it back.

Fixing Discord voice trouble before changing the server location

Discord's FAQ says that if a channel is on Automatic and you have connection trouble, you can try leaving and reconnecting first, because the system may move you to a better location by itself. For specific voice connection errors, it points to its Voice Connection Errors article.

Its wider troubleshooting guide for voice disconnections suggests four checks: your network has enough bandwidth, you try a different voice server region, you look for VPN or firewall interference, and you check Discord's status page for outages. Checking those in that order saves time.

Changing a Discord region doesn't affect audio quality perks

A question that comes up with community owners: does changing the region lose a higher audio quality? Discord says no. If your server has unlocked a higher audio bitrate through Boosting, you keep it whichever region you choose.

It also says that cloning a voice channel or creating a server template based on your server will clone the region as well. If you plan to set up a new space, adding a soundboard to your Discord voice channels can sit alongside those settings.

Do you need to change every Discord channel region?

No. Discord says you only need to adjust the voice channel having trouble, not every channel in the server. If a channel is on Automatic and has problems, Discord's system may move you to a better place on its own. You can also leave and reconnect, or choose a region in the channel settings.

Setting a Discord region for members in one country

If most of your community lives in one country or region and you want the voice region to stay put, Discord confirms you can set a specific region under each voice channel's settings, in Overview, under Region Override. It stays until you switch to another region or back to Automatic.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my Discord server's location?

Not as one setting. Discord sets a voice region for each voice channel. Open the channel's settings and use Region Override.

Who can change a Discord voice region?

Discord says you need the Manage Channels permission in the server.

What is the default Discord voice region?

Automatic. Discord recommends it, and it picks the region from the first person who connects to the empty voice channel.

Does the Discord region change while people join?

No. Discord says it stays the same until everyone leaves and the voice channel is empty.

Can I change the region of a Discord DM call?

On the desktop app or browser, yes: click the region name at the top right of the call. Discord says it isn't available on mobile at this time.

Will I lose higher audio quality if I change region?

No. Discord says a higher audio bitrate unlocked through Boosting stays whichever region you choose.