How to Fix OBS Black Screen 2023

How to Fix OBS Black Screen

In this tutorial, we troubleshoot and fix the OBS black screen issue. OBS is a great piece of software but unfortunately, quite a few people experience a black screen when they try to record or stream.

This tutorial focuses on Windows 11, but these methods should also work in older versions of Windows.

0:00 Fix OBS Black Screen Intro
0:20 Graphics Settings
1:57 Administrator Access
2:37 Compatibility Mode
3:18 OBS Black Screen Alternative Solutions

Graphics Settings

In the first method, we change the graphics settings when using OBS. This is the most common solution, so it’s fairly likely, that this fixes the OBS black screen.

To do this, click on the Windows search bar and type in graphics settings. Click on it. First, you need to make sure that the dropdown selection beneath Add an app is set to Desktop app.

Click on the Browse button to continue. We need to navigate to the OBS application file. For me, the location is: C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit

Often the black screen is a result of Windows using the wrong graphics card. In my case, I get this when I use the high-performance preference or when I let Windows decide. So for recording in OBS, I need to use the power saving preference, which uses my Intel card instead of my NVIDIA card.

It might be that you need to select the high-performance option if you record certain games, but for normal desktop recording, you need power saving. In other words, OBS needs to use the same graphics card as the content that you try to record or stream.

Click on the Save button to continue. After this, restart OBS, and with some luck, you no longer have the black screen issue.

OBS Administrator Access

Sometimes, OBS runs with insufficient access because of an underlying process from other software or simply because it isn’t set.

Click on the Windows search icon or search bar and type in OBS. Right-click on OBS Studio and select Open file location. Right-click on the file and select properties. After that, switch to the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.

Click on Apply and Ok. Ideally, you restart your pc and then check if you can record without the annoying OBS black screen issue.

Fix OBS Black Screen with Compatibility Mode

In the next method, we try compatibility mode. Compatibility mode allows you to emulate an older version of Windows, which might run OBS without issues. OBS occasionally has problems with new Windows versions.

Right-click on “OBS Studio” and select Properties. In here, navigate to the compatibility tab. Check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode. Change the dropdown menu to Windows 8 or Windows 7.

Click on Ok and restart OBS to see if the black screen issue is solved. If it didn’t work, try one of the other options.

Alternative OBS Black Screen Solutions

There are a few alternative solutions to consider:
-Reinstall OBS from scratch
-Try to update to a newer or different version
-Make sure that you use the 64-bit version on a 64-bit OS and the 32-bit version on a 32-bit OS.
- Conflicting software. For this one, try to shut down all other apps, restart OBS, and check if you still have a black screen.
-Remove your display capture and add it again
-Change the mode from Capture any full-screen application to Capture specific window

This concludes our how to fix OBS black screen 2023 tutorial. I'm inspired by creators as TechGumbo and Tech Insider.

#OBS #tutorial #HowTo

[TheAnnoyedGoose]

Option 2 FINALLY fixed my problem. Thank you so much. I’ve been having this problem for days and I guess I must have not given it full access before. Thanks for figuring that out

[MeatLoafHandler]

ive tried everthing, and its still not working

[laurengerlainereliford]

I did the first three fixes. Then restarted my computer. It worked. Thank you!

[GarranBrosnan]

Same for me, the admin tick box worked perfectly. Thanks very much!

[LinkinPaw]

this is the only tutorial that fixed my issue thank you

[ofdjnyj]

Second method worked for me, thank you.

[steverago]

Changing the properties to "power saving" worked. Thanks !

[piggehz]

Thank you! Other solutions were showing an option in Nvidia control panel that wasn't there. This worked perfectly!

[davicommie]

the compatibility mode option fixed mine! thank you so much!!

[TheSarahO]

The first method worked!! Thanks so much

[plasticaviator]

Switching to power save works for me. Thank you 😊

[GRAWROBZ]

None of these worked. But I kinda remembered these options from years ago after watching. What worked was a tiny reset button on the capture card. Stuck a pen in the hole to reset the capture card now works. I was worried I'd have to buy another capture card.

[peterstrous]

I did not have the option of two (Intel/NVIDEA) graphic preferences but I got it to work through setting both OBS and the Browser to NVIDEA. Hence while not directly suggesting the solution, you indirectly suggested it. Thanks!

[tinman]

Option 2 worked... now I can record Skyrim! Thank you!

[StableColonel]

Delete and re-add display capture, boom, fixed it, thanks.

[bpavilion]

Uninstalling and reinstalling worked for me, thank you!

[Davern]

Will changeing the graphics card to the intel graphics make my recording worse? (first method)

[kacx]

Something must be messed up for me, as clicking "Browse" on step 1 just crashes the app. "Graphic Settings" just closes itself down when I click browse.

[kif_jvdb]

closing all aplications did it for me. now figure out which one is the problem. thnx

[shirokun]

I have installed OBS on my 2011 laptop for months and recorded many video without any problem. I use that laptop only for typing on microsoft word and I don't do any setting on my old laptop. But the last time I tried to record, the result is laggy and stuttering. I dicided to reinstall from scratch and things are getting worse. This black screen. I have followed many steps on the internet but it didn't work.