Sometimes you feel the need to slow things down in a chat channel. When the amount of text on the screen starts to hurt your eyes and cause a headache, Slow Mode may be the answer to your prayers. It’s even more important to stop using the “slow hammer” when the conversation starts to sound like a rant rather than something more cordial.
To give your Discord text channel a chill pill, you’ll want to use the Slow Mode feature that has been built into Discord. Slow mode is probably the most convenient way to turn a noisy channel into something more relaxing. The way it works is that it will limit the number of messages a user can send in a channel based on a timed cooldown. The cooldown is customizable so you can set the time limit from as little as five seconds to six hours.
This is a per-channel feature, so any activation of slow mode on one channel will not affect conversations taking place on another.
To set slow mode:
- Navigate to Edit Channel Settings by clicking the gear icon located to the right of the channel you are on or when you mouse over the channel.
- From the “Overview” tab in the left side menu, Slow Mode can be found in the right window.
- The “Overview” tab is chosen by default when you click Edit Channel, so you shouldn’t have to change.
- The Slow Mode option contains a slider that allows you to adjust the interval times to the specified setting.
- Slow mode is set to OFF by default. To enable it, all you need to do is set the interval to a tie of your choice.
- Once the interval is set, click Save Changes in the pop-up window that appears.
Only those with Manage Channel, Manage Messages, Administrator, or Server Owner permissions can adjust these settings. You’ll also be exempt from any slowdowns, meaning you can go crazy with any conversation you want. If you are just a member who has a problem with another member spamming the channel you are on, you will need to contact someone within Discord with one (or all) of these permissions.
How to know if slow mode has been set
Discord has done us the service of letting everyone know immediately if slow mode has actually been activated. If the channel you’re on has slow mode enabled, you’ll receive a notification along with a screen shake when you try to send another message.
Both the desktop and mobile apps will have these indicators to ensure you know it’s time to take it easy on outgoing messages. Now you have time to think before you speak (or write) so the conversation can return to something friendlier and less noisy.
Here is an indicator that you have received the slow mode restriction:
If you see this, then you know that your chat privileges are locked. Take this time to reflect on life, your future, game strategies, whatever. Just stop responding. Once the restriction has been lifted, you can chat again until you’re happy.
