An issue has plagued OBS for quite some time where users feel a 'black screen' when trying to share their screens online. This issue is mostly seen in Windows platforms and systems where there are two graphics options i.e. dedicated and integrated both. In this article, we will look at all the solutions as to why this event occurs and what are the steps to solve it.

Blackness Screen in OBS Studio

What causes a Black Screen in OBS Studio?

We did an extensive survey and analyzed all the user cases where the black screen was occurring when streaming using OBS. Based on our assay, nosotros came across several different culprits which might exist causing the issue. Some of them are listed here:

  • Dedicated Graphics Interfering: Whenever you start any awarding or game, the operating organisation has to decide whether to classify resources from the dedicated graphics card or through the normal motherboard integrated graphics. This selection might have an adverse effect in terms of running mechanics and OBS might not be able to stream properly.
  • Ambassador privileges: Since OBS is sharing your unabridged screen, there might be some cases where the estimator might restrict its access, and hence it might non be able to display your content. Usually but starting the application with administrative admission solves the issue instantly.
  • Conflict on 32 and 64-chip applications: OBS has ii versions of its applications namely 32 and 64 bit. The correct version should be selected depending on the type of operating arrangement installed on your figurer. If information technology isn't, the application will not be compatible and it will not function properly.
  • Compatibility problems: We also came across several instances where OBS was not compatible with the latest version of windows. Here starting the awarding in compatibility style forces the application to start and work equally expected.
  • Overclocking: Overclocking may heave your PC'due south performance but it also has its adverse effects on applications. You can endeavor disabling overclocking and encounter if this does any expert to the problem.
  • Conflicting software: There might also be other similar capture software running in the background. This software might disharmonize with OBS and cause a race for resource which will cause OBS to malfunction and non work properly.
  • Capturing options: There are several capturing options available in OBS, for case, total screen or a specific window, etc. The correct ane should be called when capturing content.
  • PC in an mistake land: Ane tin never cross out the possibility of the PC in an error country. This usually happens when you haven't close down your reckoner for a long time. Simply power cycling fixes the result at hand.

If you lot have a similar situation, you can follow this article and follow the troubleshooting steps which we take laid downward for you. Here nosotros have listed downwardly handpicked and tested methods that are used to circumvent the upshot.

Make sure that you follow the solutions from the elevation and work your way down effectively. They are ordered in terms of difficulty and efficiency. Happy troubleshooting!

i. Ability wheel your computer

Earlier we get-go troubleshooting extensively, it is worth power cycling your computer. There were several cases where merely power cycling solved OBS black screen instantly. Power cycling involves shutting down your figurer completely and removing its power source as well. This forces the computer to remove all temporary configurations then whenever yous offset it again, everything volition exist initialized fresh.

  1. Shut downward your computer properly.
  2. In one case information technology is turned off, take out the power outlet or if you are using the laptop, take out the battery.
  3. Now press and concur the power push for a couple of seconds. This will ensure that all the power is tuckered.

After waiting ii-4 minutes, plug everything back in and check if the result gets resolved.

2. Select the Correct Version of OBS Studio

OBS ordinarily comes in 2 versions i.east. 32 and 64 bits. The software is shipped in ii versions because the Windows operating system is likewise shipped in two versions. A large difference between 32-bit processors and 64-fleck processors is the number of calculations per 2nd they can perform, which affects the speed at which they can complete tasks. In this solution, we will navigate to OBS'south installation directory and select the correct version of the software after checking your scrap version.

First, nosotros will check the version of the operating system installed on your computer.

  1. Right-click on This PC and select Properties.
Backdrop of This PC
  1. Once in the estimator properties, bank check underneath the subheading of the Organisation and bank check the type in front of System blazon. Note downward the type of operating system and continue with the instructions below.
    Checking Operating system type

Now we will be navigating to the installation binder of OBS and launching the correct version of the application according to the bit architecture in your computer.

  1. Printing Windows + E to launch the file explorer. Now search for OBS in the dialogue box and open the file location as shown below in the prototype.
    OBS Studio Shortcut – Windows Explorer
  1. Now select and open the correct version of the awarding depending on the bit version of your OS. Check if the issue is resolved.

3. Change Compatibility mode

We received mixed reports of the compatibility mode option present in the awarding. According to some users, the latest version of Windows was not supported by the application, hence they had to change the compatibility to Windows seven while some users reported that disabling the compatibility fashion solved the issue instantly. Here you tin endeavor both methods and cheque which one works for you. If it doesn't, revert the setting to default and motion on with the other solutions.

  1. Printing Windows + Southward, search for OBS, right-click on the application and select Open file location.
    The opening File location of OBS – Start carte
  1. Now right-click on the executable and select Properties.
    Properties of OBS Studio
  1. In one case in properties, select the Compatibility tab and check the selection Run this plan in compatibility mode for. Now you lot may choose Windows 7 or 8.
    Enabling Compatibility mode – OBS
  1. Salvage changes and exit. Now try launching the awarding and run across if the upshot is resolved.

four. Grant Administrator Rights

Some other consequence for why you might not be able to stream your screen or game properly is because your application doesn't have proper ambassador privileges. Since OBS is in effect sharing all your content and computer usage online, it is essential that you have granted it administrator rights. In this solution, we will be doing that and checking whether this solves the issue. Fifty-fifty if it doesn't, make certain that yous continue the pick checked for all time.

  1. Navigate to OBS's executable properties every bit nosotros did in the previous solution.
  2. Now click on the Compatibility tab and check the option of Run this program as an ambassador.
    Granting Administrator access to OBS
  1. Apply changes and exit. Restart your figurer and launch OBS again. At present bank check if the issue is resolved.

v. Select the Correct GPU for Resources

Some other interesting phenomenon we came beyond was where not selecting the correct GPU according to the capture you are using caused several bug including the black screen. The breakdown on which GPU to select according to the display selected is every bit follows:

  • Game capture: Dedicated graphics (NVIDIA or AMD).
  • Monitor/display capture: Intel'southward stock GPU

Notation: This solution is but for users who take a dedicated graphics bill of fare installed on their calculator.

Here we will signify the methods on how to cater to both situations. Make sure that yous follow them according to your case.

  1. Right-click anywhere on your screen and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. In one case in the control panel, navigate to Manage 3D settings and click on Program Settings.
  3. Once in plan settings, select the OBS display capture. If you are not able to observe the entry, click on Add together and wait up the software past navigating to its installation directory and selecting the executable from there.
    Selecting OBS in NVIDIA Control Panel
  4. Now co-ordinate to the type of capture y'all are doing (game or monitor), select the correct graphics processor for the program. In the case down below, NVIDIA'due south processor is selected.
    Selecting Integrated/Dedicated Graphics for OBS
  1. Save changes and exit. Now restart your computer and launch OBS again. Check if the black screen consequence is resolved.

6. Alter Drive Permission Settings

If your OBS is installed in your chief bulldoze (C), in that location are chances that probably even your user might not have full permission to edit and modify its contents. This is the usual case and the reason why a conventional user is not allowed access to the drive is because of security reasons because all the cadre operating system files are present. However, according to some user reports, changing the ownership settings of the drive solved the issue instantly. Brand sure that you are logged in as an administrator earlier following this solution.

  1. Press Windows + E to launch the File Explorer. At present right-click on your C drive (or whichever drive is ready equally your main operating organization disk) and select Backdrop.
  2. Select the Security tab and so click on Edit in front of permissions.
    Editing Permissions of C Drive
  1. At present select the choice of Authenticated users and select the checkbox of Full control.
    Granting Total Control to Authenticated Users
  1. Press Apply to save changes and leave. Restart your computer and start OBS again. Bank check if the issue is resolved.

vii. Change Settings of OBS

Another workaround to consider is changing some specific settings of OBS. Usually, OBS allows users to set the configurations co-ordinate to their preferences or will. However, in some cases, the custom settings might conflict with the software and cause a blackness screen. Here we have listed down some of the changes in settings that y'all accept to practise in society for OBS to run in optimal settings.

Fashion: *Select co-ordinate to your preference*  Screen: *Select co-ordinate to your game*  Priority: *Usually the default i suffices*  Sli/crossfire: Check (You can also try unchecking this 1 after)  Force scaling: Uncheck  Transparency: Uncheck  Framerate lock: Uncheck  Tape cursor: Check  Anti-crook: Uncheck  Overlays: Uncheck

After you have made changes to the settings of OBS, restart information technology and bank check if y'all can stream your screen/games properly without any issues.

Notation: You can as well change the manner from "Capture whatsoever fullscreen awarding" to "Capture specific window".

8. Enable Multi-adapter compatibility

OBS has a setting of Multi-adapter compatibility which is meant for computers involving SLI or Crossfire engineering. SLI/Crossfire is engineering science past NVIDIA/AMD which allows users to connect two graphics cards instead of one and utilize them both in their gameplay or applications. Enabling this feature seemed to have fixed the issue of blackness screen in OBS instantly.

Enabling Multi-adapter compatibility

The funny thing is that this fixed the black screen in computers that don't fifty-fifty have SLI/Crossfire engineering science installed. To conclude, we tin safely say this is a bug in OBS and you take to enable multi-adapter compatibility whether or non you have SLI/Crossfire. You can easily enable this option by selecting the stream and clicking on the gears icon. A new window volition popular upward from where you can bank check the choice.

ix. Disable Overclocking

Overclocking allows you to increase the clock rate of your processor until information technology reaches the threshold temperature gear up by the manufacturer. Once it reaches the temperature, the clock speed returns to default and then it is cooled downwardly. Afterward information technology reaches the optimal temperature, its clock speed is increased once again and the bicycle continues. Overclocking allows users to have meliorate framerates and performance but they aren't without their share of issues.

MSI Afterburner

Nosotros observed that PCs that had overclocking enabled were having the black screen issue in OBS. You should try disabling overclocking and as well overclocking related software such equally MSI Afterburner and try launching OBS again. If the black screen event is resolved, consider disabling overclocking for adept whenever y'all are using OBS.

Note: Also try disabling Overlay from GeForce Feel and Windows game bar features. Take into account any boosted software features which may provide additional controls over games or video.

10. Bank check for conflicting software

Another reason why you might exist experiencing the blackness screen on your OBS software is that you accept additional software running in the background which is likewise related to screen capture and video recording. This is a very common scenario for users where they 'think' that the other third-party software is non running merely in reality, it is in the groundwork. In this solution, we will become through all the different software installed on your calculator and uninstall all actress software which might be causing the issue.

  1. Press Windows + R, type "appwiz.cpl" in the dialogue box, and press Enter.
  2. In one case in the application director, search for any recording software which you might have installed on your computer. Right-click on it and select Uninstall.
    Uninstalling Conflicting Applications
  1. You should as well check your taskbar for any extra applications running in the background. Right-click on each entry and exit the application.
    Checking Taskbar for applications
  1. After you are sure that no program is running in the background, run OBS again and check if the event is resolved.

xi. Reinstall the application

If all the above methods don't piece of work and you are however unable to stream your game/screen successfully using OBS, you lot should consider reinstalling the application entirely. You may have a corrupt/outdated copy with issues with several modules. All your preset configurations will be lost during this solution and so make sure that you have saved all the work that you need.

  1. Press Windows + R, type "appwiz.cpl" in the dialogue box, and printing Enter.
  2. Once in the application manager, search for OBS, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.
    Uninstalling OBS Studio
  1. Select both options (one of them will exist preselected) and click on Uninstall.
    Deleting User and Plan data for OBS
  1. Restart your computer. Now navigate to OBS Studio's official website and download the latest version from there. Install it and bank check if the issue persists in the fresh copy.