Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is a widely used, open-source application designed for video recording and live streaming. Its flexibility and power make it a favorite among gamers, content creators, and educators. However, nothing can be more frustrating than launching OBS, only to find that the screen capture isn’t working as expected. Whether it’s a black screen, no capture source being recognized, or just poor performance, the issue can derail productivity and creativity.
TL;DR: If OBS screen capture is not working, start by checking permission settings and which GPU OBS is using. For black screen issues, running OBS as administrator or switching between different capture methods (like Game Capture or Window Capture) can help. Keep your graphics drivers updated and ensure display settings are compatible. Follow the troubleshooting tips below for a more detailed fix based on your operating system and hardware setup.
1. Common OBS Screen Capture Issues
Users may encounter various problems when trying to capture their screen using OBS. Some of the most typical issues include:
- Black screen when capturing display: The preview window shows nothing, even though everything is properly set up.
- Window Capture not recognizing certain apps: Especially problematic with modern UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.
- Laggy or choppy capture: The output stutters or misses frames.
- OBS not recognizing monitor/display: Particularly common in laptops or multi-monitor setups.
2. Why the OBS Display Capture Might Not Work
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand what might be causing the issue. Here are the primary reasons for OBS display capture failure:
- Windows permission settings
- Incorrect or missing display drivers
- Hardware acceleration conflicts
- OBS using the wrong GPU (on laptops with dual GPUs)
- Antivirus software interfering with OBS functionality
3. General Troubleshooting Steps
Follow these steps to fix most OBS screen capture issues:
Run as Administrator
Sometimes, OBS requires administrative privileges to access display settings and run correctly.
- Right-click on the OBS shortcut
- Select “Run as administrator”
Select the Correct GPU
Laptops often come with two GPUs — a dedicated GPU (like NVIDIA or AMD) and an integrated GPU (like Intel HD Graphics). OBS typically needs to run on the same GPU as the application or desktop you want to record.
- Open your GPU settings (like NVIDIA Control Panel)
- Go to Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings
- Find obs64.exe and assign it to the Integrated GPU for display capture to work
Tweak Windows Graphics Settings
Especially on Windows 10 and 11, assigning a specific GPU via the OS settings can make a difference.
- Go to Settings > System > Display
- Scroll down to Graphics settings
- Add OBS and choose Power saving mode (to use the integrated GPU)
Check Capture Source Settings
Make sure you’ve selected the correct source in OBS.
- Click the + in OBS under Sources
- Select Display Capture or Game Capture
- Double-check that you’re capturing the correct monitor or window
4. Fixing the Black Screen Error
Seeing a black screen instead of your desktop can be alarming, but it’s one of the most common OBS issues and usually easy to fix:
Fix #1: GPU Mismatch
As previously mentioned, ensure OBS is set to run on the same GPU as your display.
Fix #2: Compatibility Mode
Some users find success by changing OBS’s compatibility mode:
- Right-click OBS icon and go to Properties
- Under the Compatibility tab, check “Run this program in compatibility mode” for Windows 8
Fix #3: Disable Hardware Acceleration
Some websites or apps use hardware acceleration, which can conflict with OBS’s screen capture capabilities.
- Turn off hardware acceleration in browsers like Chrome or Firefox if trying to capture those
5. Alternative Capture Methods
If Display Capture fails, try other input methods in OBS:
- Window Capture: Best for capturing specific apps or browser windows
- Game Capture: Optimized for fullscreen games and DirectX/OpenGL apps
- Browser Capture: Useful for embedded web content
Keep in mind that Game Capture may have limitations capturing some UWP or anti-cheat protected games. In such cases, Display Capture or Window Capture may be more reliable.
6. Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated drivers are a leading cause of compatibility issues. Make sure all your GPU drivers are up to date:
- Visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel)
- Download and install the latest drivers for your model
7. Enable Permissions on macOS
For macOS users, OBS requires permission to capture the screen:
- Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy
- Select the Privacy tab
- Under Screen Recording, make sure OBS is allowed
8. Disable Conflicting Apps
Overlay software like NVIDIA ShadowPlay, Discord overlays, or antivirus pop-up blockers may interfere with OBS screen capture. Try disabling them if nothing else works.
9. Reinstall OBS
If all else fails, a fresh reinstall may fix corrupt configurations or bugs:
- Uninstall OBS via Control Panel
- Manually delete leftover configuration files in C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio
- Download the latest version from OBSProject.com
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Why does OBS only capture a black screen?
A: This is usually due to a GPU mismatch on dual-GPU systems. Make sure OBS is using the same GPU as your display for screen capture. - Q: Why can’t OBS capture a particular window?
A: Some windows (especially UWP apps or games with anti-cheat systems) prevent external capture. Try using Display Capture instead. - Q: Is Game Capture better than Display Capture?
A: Game Capture is better for performance when streaming games, but it may not work with all software. Use Display Capture for general applications. - Q: How do I record only one monitor in a dual-monitor setup?
A: When adding a Display Capture source, choose the specific display you want from the drop-down list in the capture settings. - Q: Why is my OBS window not showing anything even though the setup is correct?
A: Try updating graphics drivers, running OBS as admin, and checking for software that might block capture like overlays or antivirus tools.
With these troubleshooting steps, users should be able to resolve most OBS display capture problems and get back to streaming or recording without hassle.