Ultra.
OBS Studio is a popular software for live streaming and recording, known for its versatility particularly through adding plugins to customize your experience. However, like any software, it can sometimes experience stability issues that may cause unexpected crashes.
If you're encountering crashes with OBS Studio, this blog walks through the top reasons why this might be happening and some tips to help you find the cause and resolve these issues.
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Common OBS Issues
Below are some of the most common issues that people experience when using OBS that may lead to the software crashing.
Outdated Software or Drivers
One of the most common reasons OBS Studio may crash is due to outdated software or drivers. OBS relies heavily on your system's graphics drivers and other components to function smoothly. If these are not up to date, it can cause conflicts and crashes.
How to Fix It:
- Regularly update OBS Studio to the latest version.
- Ensure your graphic cards and other system drivers are updated and compatible with your current version of OBS. The latest drivers can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website (for example, you can check NVIDIA here).
Incompatible or Conflicting Plugins
Plugins enhance OBS Studio's functionality, but they can also introduce instability, resulting in crashes, especially if they are outdated or incompatible with the current version of OBS. For example, users on different forums have reported that the StreamElements (SE.Live) plugin, in particular, may cause crashes.
How to Fix It:
- Disable all plugins and re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.
- Uninstall the plugin that you discover is the issue. You may attempt reinstalling to see if that fixes crashing, but an alternate plugin may be necessary in some circumstances.
For example, to remove the StreamElements plugin:
Step 1: On your Windows Device, open the Control Panel.
Step 2: Within the Control Panel Go to Programs > Uninstall a Program.
Step 3: Find StreamElements OBS.Live in the list or search in the search field and select it.
Step 4: Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove the plugin. You may be taken to an online survey to tell StreamElements why you wish to uninstall the plugin. Choose the most appropriate answer, then hit Submit.
Step 5: Restart OBS Studio once the plugin is successfully uninstalled.
If the SE plugin was the issue, consider switching to another plugin with fewer reported instances, such as the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS. This new plugin integrates Streamlabs' tools directly into OBS, allowing you to manage alerts, overlays, and widgets seamlessly. This enhances viewer engagement and streamlines your setup with an all-in-one plugin.
You can check out the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS Guide for a detailed walkthrough of installing and using the plugin. And, of course, if you encounter any issues while using the plugin, Streamlabs support is available to assist you.
High CPU/GPU Usage
OBS Studio is a resource-intensive software, particularly as it pertains to encoding, recording, or streaming high-quality video. If your CPU or GPU is overloaded, OBS may crash.
How to Fix It:
- Lower the video quality settings in OBS. Reduce the resolution, bitrate, and frame rate.
- Close unnecessary applications running in the background to free up your system’s resources.
Wrong Encoder Settings
Incorrect encoder settings can overload your system and lead to crashes. This is especially true if the settings are too high for your hardware to handle.
How to Fix It:
- Use the default or recommended settings in OBS.
- If you’re unsure about the optimal settings for your system, refer to the OBS Studio community forums for guidance.
Hardware Acceleration Issues
Hardware acceleration helps your computer run demanding tasks more efficiently by using specialized hardware, like the GPU, to complete tasks (often those involving video and gameplay). While hardware acceleration can enhance performance, it can also cause stability issues in some cases. Disabling hardware acceleration may resolve crashes.
How to Fix It:
Step 1: In OBS, go to File> Settings > Advanced.
Step 2: Under the Video section, disable Enable Hardware Acceleration under Sources.
Step 3: Restart OBS to see if the issue is resolved.
General Tips for Finding the Cause of OBS Studio Crashes
Identifying the exact cause of crashes in OBS Studio can be challenging, but these steps can help you diagnose and fix the problem:
Check Compatibility Settings
Ensuring compatibility with your operating system is crucial. Sometimes, OBS may not be fully compatible with your OS version, leading to crashes.
Step 1: Right-click the OBS Studio shortcut on your desktop.
Step 2: Select Properties, then go to the Compatibility tab.
Step 3: Check “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select your operating system from the dropdown menu.
Step 4: Click Apply and restart OBS.
Review OBS Logs
OBS Studio generates log files that can provide insights into what might be causing the crashes.
Step 1: Go to Help > Log Files > Show Log Files in OBS.
Step 2: Find the log file that corresponds to the date and time where you experience the issues. Review the log file for any errors or warnings that might indicate the cause of the crash. Considering log files can have an overwhelming amount of text, we recommend searching keywords such as “error”, “failed”, “warning” and “crash” to zoom in on the issue.
Use Default Settings
Resetting OBS to its default settings can help identify if custom configurations are causing issues.
Step 1: Close OBS Studio.
Step 2: Open the Run Dialog by pressing Windows + R.
Step 3: Navigate to Settings Folder by typing “%appdata%\obs-studio” and press Enter or OK.
Step 4: Delete all folders that you see.
Step 5: Restart OBS Studio, and it will create new settings files with the default settings.
Reinstall OBS Studio
A clean reinstall of OBS can resolve many underlying issues caused by corrupted files or settings.
Step 1: Uninstall OBS Studio from your computer.
Step 2: Download the latest version from the official OBS website.
Step 3: Install OBS and test with a basic configuration.
Following these tips and solutions, you can often resolve the crashes and enjoy a smoother experience with OBS Studio. If issues persist, the OBS community forums are great places to find resources for additional help from people who may be experiencing similar issues or have resolved them.