OBS Black Screen: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

You add a Display Capture or Window Capture source, and all OBS shows is a black box. It's one of the most common OBS problems, and it's rarely a bug. Most of the time it comes down to how your computer's graphics are set up, and it's fixable in a couple of minutes.

Why OBS shows a black screen

OBS's own guide explains that most modern laptops have two graphics processors: an integrated one that runs your desktop and everyday apps, and a more powerful discrete one (NVIDIA or AMD) for games and 3D. OBS can only run on one of them at a time. If OBS is on one and the thing you're capturing is on the other, you get a black screen or poor performance.

How to fix an OBS black screen on Windows

1. Close OBS.
2. Open Windows Settings (Start, then the cog icon).
3. Go to System, then Display, then Graphics Settings near the bottom.
4. Choose Classic App or Desktop App and click Browse.
5. Select C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe and add it.
6. Click OBS in the list, choose Options and pick the right mode (see the table).
7. Save, then reopen OBS.

Which graphics setting to choose

What you're capturing	Set OBS to	Why
Your whole screen (Display Capture)	Power Saving	Your desktop runs on the integrated graphics
A game (Game Capture)	High Performance	Games run on the discrete graphics card
A single app window (Window Capture)	High Performance	Matches OBS's guide for window capture

This applies to Windows 10 (version 1809 and later) and Windows 11. OBS's guide also explains how to check which version you have, under System, then About, in Settings.

The catch: you can't have everything on one laptop

Here's the frustrating part. Because OBS can only run on one graphics card, the setting that fixes Display Capture can stop Game Capture working, and vice versa. If you need both, for example showing your desktop and then switching to a game, you may have to choose one capture type, or capture the game with Display Capture instead. OBS describes it as a design choice by laptop makers to save power, not an OBS fault, which is cold comfort, but it explains why the fix seems to break something else.

Other reasons for a black screen

• A browser source shows black. One fix users report on OBS's own forum is going to Settings, Advanced, Sources in OBS and unticking Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration. It's a user tip rather than official advice, but it's quick to try.
• You're on a Mac. Make sure you're using the macOS Screen Capture source and that OBS has screen recording permission in your Mac's privacy settings.
• The source is set to the wrong screen. If you have two monitors, check Display Capture is pointed at the right one.
• The window is minimised. Window Capture can't show a window that's minimised.
• Protected content. Some streaming services block capture on purpose, which shows as black.

Check the fix worked

1. Reopen OBS and look at the preview.
2. If it's still black, remove the capture source and add it again.
3. Record a short test and play it back.

OBS strongly encourages running a test for a few minutes before any real stream or recording. A black-screen surprise is far better discovered in a test than in front of a live audience.

Tips to avoid it happening again

• Set the graphics option once and leave it, unless your needs change.
• Plug your laptop in while streaming; power-saving modes can cause odd behaviour.
• Keep your graphics drivers and OBS up to date.
• Build separate scenes for desktop and game capture if you switch between them.

For more on getting set up, my guides to adding chat to OBS and fixing a buffering stream cover the next problems people run into.

Not sure which graphics card OBS is using?

If you've changed the setting and nothing improves, it's worth double-checking you added the right file. Some people have more than one copy of OBS installed, or installed it somewhere other than the default Program Files folder, and end up changing the setting for a copy they never open. Search your computer for obs64.exe and make sure the one in Graphics Settings is the one your desktop shortcut launches. Then restart OBS fully, rather than just closing the window, so the new setting takes effect.

If you've tried both Power Saving and High Performance and the preview is still black, update your graphics drivers and OBS, then try again. Old drivers are a common reason fixes don't stick.

My verdict

An OBS black screen on a laptop is almost always a graphics card mismatch. In Windows Settings, go to Graphics Settings, add obs64.exe and choose Power Saving for screen capture or High Performance for games and windows. For black browser sources, try switching off browser source hardware acceleration in OBS's Advanced settings. If OBS keeps fighting you for simple screen recordings, my list of screen recording software has easier options.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my OBS display capture black?

On laptops, OBS is usually running on a different graphics card from your desktop. Set OBS to Power Saving in Windows Graphics Settings.

Why is my OBS game capture black?

OBS needs to run on the same graphics card as the game. Set OBS to High Performance in Windows Graphics Settings.

Where is obs64.exe?

Usually in C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe.

Why does a browser source show black in OBS?

Users on OBS's forum report fixing it by unticking Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration under Settings, Advanced, Sources.

Can I use Display Capture and Game Capture on the same laptop?

Often not at the same time, because OBS can only run on one graphics card.

How do I fix an OBS black screen on Mac?

Use the macOS Screen Capture source and check OBS has screen recording permission in your privacy settings.