OBS Studio Help - Free Support & Tutorials for Screen Recording

Getting Started

Quick Start - Download and Configure OBS

Begin your screen recording and streaming journey with OBS Studio free in just minutes.

Step 1: Download OBS Studio Free

Get OBS Studio free for your system from our download page. The complete installer package provides all necessary components for screen recording and live streaming.

Step 2: Auto-Setup Configuration

Upon first launch, OBS Studio's intelligent configuration wizard automatically optimizes settings for your specific hardware and network capabilities, ensuring optimal screen recording and streaming performance.

Step 3: Begin Recording & Streaming

Configure your sources including webcam, screen capture, or game footage, organize your scenes, and start recording or broadcasting immediately – completely free!

Learn

Essential Screen Recording Tutorials

Master OBS Studio's powerful features for professional screen recording and live streaming with our detailed guides.

Scene & Source Configuration

Discover how to build professional scenes using multiple sources in OBS Studio free. Combine webcams, screen recording, images, overlays, and additional elements for compelling content creation.

Add and organize sources
Create multiple scenes
Use scene collections

Professional Audio Setup

Configure flawless audio for screen recording and streaming. Master audio filters, manage multiple input sources, and achieve broadcast-quality sound in your OBS recordings.

Configure audio devices
Apply noise filters
Use VST plugins

FAQ

OBS Studio FAQs - Screen Recording Questions

Find quick solutions to common questions about downloading OBS Studio, screen recording, and live streaming setup.

Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11, DirectX 10.1 compatible GPU, 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended).

macOS: macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or newer, Intel or Apple Silicon processor, 4GB RAM minimum.

For streaming at higher resolutions or frame rates, we recommend a modern multi-core CPU and a dedicated graphics card.

Yes! OBS Studio is completely free and open source software. There are no paid features, watermarks, or time limits. It's licensed under the GPL, meaning anyone can use, modify, and distribute it freely.

OBS Studio supports streaming to virtually any platform that accepts RTMP or SRT streams, including:

• Twitch
• YouTube Live
• Facebook Live
• TikTok Live
• Custom RTMP servers

To capture games in OBS Studio:

1. Add a new source by clicking the "+" button in the Sources panel
2. Select "Game Capture" (Windows) or "Display Capture" (macOS)
3. Choose your game from the dropdown or select "Capture any fullscreen application"
4. Click OK and your game should now be visible in the preview

Frame drops can be caused by several factors:

• Encoding lag: Lower your output resolution or use hardware encoding (NVENC/QuickSync)
• Network issues: Reduce your bitrate or use a wired connection instead of WiFi
• Rendering lag: Close unnecessary applications or lower game graphics settings

Check View → Stats in OBS to diagnose which type of frame drops you're experiencing.

Absolutely! OBS Studio allows you to stream and record simultaneously. You can even configure different settings for each:

• Use different encoders for streaming vs recording
• Record at higher quality than your stream
• Save recordings in different formats (MKV, MP4, FLV)

Adding a webcam with an overlay is easy:

1. Add a "Video Capture Device" source and select your webcam
2. Resize and position your webcam in the preview
3. Add an "Image" source with your overlay frame
4. Position the overlay on top of your webcam
5. Use filters to crop or add effects if needed

Troubleshooting

Common Issues & Solutions

Quick fixes for the most common problems users encounter.

Black Screen in Game Capture

If you see a black screen when trying to capture a game:

Run OBS as Administrator
Disable game mode and overlays
Try Window Capture instead

Audio Not Working

If your audio isn't being captured or played back:

Check Settings → Audio for correct devices
Ensure audio sources aren't muted
Check Advanced Audio Properties

High CPU Usage

If OBS is using too much CPU:

Switch to hardware encoding (NVENC)
Lower output resolution or FPS
Use faster encoding preset

Stream Keeps Disconnecting

If your stream frequently disconnects:

Lower your bitrate
Use a wired internet connection
Try a different streaming server

OBS Studio Help Center