You have a Discord server with a higher tier, but the voice channel bitrate is stuck at 64 kbps. This happens when the channel was created before the server was boosted or when the channel settings are not updated after a boost. This article explains why the bitrate is locked at the base rate and provides the exact steps to increase it to match your server’s available maximum.
Discord voice channels have a default bitrate of 64 kbps. Server boosts unlock higher bitrate limits: 128 kbps for Tier 1, 256 kbps for Tier 2, and 384 kbps for Tier 3. However, boosting the server does not automatically raise the bitrate of existing channels. You must manually edit each voice channel to set a higher bitrate. This guide covers the cause, the manual fix, and related issues you may encounter.
By the end of this article, you will know how to change the bitrate for any voice channel on your boosted server and understand why some channels might remain at 64 kbps even after boosting.
Key Takeaways: Bitrate Limit Stuck at 64 kbps on Boosted Server
- Server Settings > Roles > Manage Permissions: Check that the role used to manage channels has the “Manage Channels” permission enabled.
- Voice Channel Edit > Overview > Bitrate: Manually raise the bitrate slider after the server is boosted to unlock higher options.
- Server Boost Level: Verify the current boost tier in Server Settings > Server Boost to confirm the maximum bitrate available.
Why Discord Voice Channels Stay at 64 kbps After Boosting
Discord applies boost benefits at the server level, not per channel. When you boost a server, the server gains new limits for features like emoji slots, upload size, and voice channel bitrate. These limits are maximums, not automatic upgrades. A voice channel created before the boost was applied retains its original bitrate setting, which is 64 kbps by default. The channel does not automatically jump to a higher bitrate because Discord does not retroactively edit existing channel configurations.
The bitrate slider in the channel edit window shows a maximum value that corresponds to the server’s current boost tier. For a server with no boosts, the maximum is 64 kbps. For Tier 1, the maximum is 128 kbps. For Tier 2, it is 256 kbps. For Tier 3, it is 384 kbps. If the slider does not go beyond 64 kbps, either the server has no active boosts or the user editing the channel does not have the “Manage Channels” permission.
Boost Tier Limits and Bitrate Maximums
Discord uses a simple scaling for voice channel bitrate based on boost level:
- No boosts: Maximum bitrate is 64 kbps.
- Tier 1 (2 boosts): Maximum bitrate is 128 kbps.
- Tier 2 (7 boosts): Maximum bitrate is 256 kbps.
- Tier 3 (14 boosts): Maximum bitrate is 384 kbps.
These are hard limits enforced by Discord. Even if you type a higher number in the bitrate field, the system will cap it at the tier maximum. The slider will not move past the limit.
Steps to Raise Voice Channel Bitrate on a Boosted Server
Follow these steps to change a voice channel’s bitrate from 64 kbps to a higher value. You must have the “Manage Channels” permission on the server.
- Open Server Settings
Right-click the server name in the left navigation panel. Select Server Settings from the context menu. This opens the server configuration page. - Check the Boost Level
In the left sidebar, click Server Boost. Look at the top of the page to see the current boost tier. If the server shows “Level 0” or “No Boosts,” you cannot increase the bitrate beyond 64 kbps until someone boosts the server. - Return to the Channel List
Close Server Settings by clicking the X in the top right corner. In the channel list on the left side of the Discord window, locate the voice channel you want to change. - Open Channel Edit
Right-click the voice channel name. Select Edit Channel from the menu. The channel settings window opens. - Navigate to the Overview Tab
In the left sidebar of the channel settings window, click Overview. This tab contains the channel name, topic, and bitrate controls. - Adjust the Bitrate Slider
Scroll down to the Bitrate section. Drag the slider to the right to increase the bitrate. As you drag, the number displayed next to the slider changes. The maximum value shown is the limit for your server’s current boost tier. For a Tier 3 server, the slider goes up to 384 kbps. - Save the Changes
Click the Save Changes button at the bottom right of the window. The channel now uses the new bitrate. All members in the channel will experience improved audio quality.
If Discord Still Shows 64 kbps After the Fix
If you followed the steps above but the bitrate slider still maxes out at 64 kbps, one of the following issues is present.
Server Boost Has Expired
Server boosts are not permanent. They last for the duration of the boost subscription. If a user stops boosting or the boost subscription ends, the server’s tier drops. When the tier drops, the maximum bitrate for all voice channels reverts to 64 kbps. To restore the higher bitrate, the server must receive enough active boosts to reach the desired tier again. Check Server Settings > Server Boost to see how many active boosts the server currently has.
You Do Not Have Manage Channels Permission
Only members with the “Manage Channels” permission can edit channel settings. If you cannot see the bitrate slider or the slider is grayed out, your role lacks this permission. Contact the server owner or an administrator to grant you the permission. The owner can check this in Server Settings > Roles > select your role > under General Permissions, enable Manage Channels.
Voice Channel Is in a Category With Synced Permissions
Bitrate is a channel-specific setting, not a permission. Category permission syncs do not affect bitrate. However, if the channel is in a category that has disabled the “Manage Channels” permission for your role, you may not be able to edit the channel at all. In that case, ask an administrator to override the category permission for that specific channel or grant you the permission directly on the channel.
Discord Voice Channel Bitrate Options: 64 kbps vs 128 kbps vs 256 kbps vs 384 kbps
| Item | 64 kbps | 128 kbps | 256 kbps | 384 kbps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required Boost Tier | None (Level 0) | Tier 1 (2 boosts) | Tier 2 (7 boosts) | Tier 3 (14 boosts) |
| Audio Quality | Good for speech | Good for speech + music | Very good for music | Excellent for high-fidelity music |
| Bandwidth Usage Per Listener | ~8 KB/s | ~16 KB/s | ~32 KB/s | ~48 KB/s |
| Recommended Use | Voice chat, gaming | Podcasts, casual music | Music production, streaming | Professional audio, live performances |
After raising the bitrate on your voice channel, test the audio quality by having a few members join and speak or play music. If the audio sounds distorted or robotic, reduce the bitrate slightly. Higher bitrates require more bandwidth from each listener. For most voice conversations, 128 kbps provides a noticeable improvement over 64 kbps without excessive bandwidth usage. For music-focused channels, 256 kbps is a good balance between quality and bandwidth. Use 384 kbps only if all members have stable, high-speed internet connections.
To quickly verify the current bitrate of a voice channel, right-click the channel name, select Edit Channel, and look at the bitrate slider. The number next to the slider shows the current setting. If it is still 64 kbps after you saved a higher value, check the server boost level again. Boosts can expire at any time, and the bitrate will automatically drop back to 64 kbps when the boost tier falls.