Fix: OBS Studio Not Recording Audio 

OBS Studio is a popular open-source software that is used for screen recording, live streaming, and video production. It is particularly famous for its live-streaming capabilities and is enjoyed by several content creators.

However, like any other technology, OBS Studio is not devoid of flaws. It may sometimes run into issues that will leave users frustrated and clueless. One such issue is when the OBS Studio does not record the audio. If you are experiencing this issue on your device, don’t worry. You are in the right place. In this article, we will discuss the most common causes of OBS not recording audio and some feasible solutions to fix the issue.

Common Causes For OBS Studio Not Recording Audio

Before we dive into the solutions, it’s important to understand the causes of OBS not recording audio. Here are the most common causes:

1. Outdated Audio Drivers: If your audio driver is expired, OBS may not be able to record audio.
2. Audio Device Selection: If you have selected the wrong audio device, OBS may not be able to record audio.
3. Improper Sound Settings: If your sound settings are not configured correctly, OBS may not record audio.
4. Conflict with Other Software: Sometimes, OBS may conflict with other software, resulting in audio not being recorded.
5. Muted Application by Mistake: If you have accidentally muted OBS, it will not record audio.
6. The System is Incompatible with the Installed OBS Version: If your system is incompatible with the installed OBS version, OBS may not be able to record audio.

How to Fix OBS Studio Not Recording Audio

Now that we have discussed the causes of OBS not recording audio, let’s explore the solutions. There are several solutions to fix this issue. However, we have compiled the best nine solutions that you can try and hopefully fix this issue once and for all.

Solution 1: Unmute OBS Studio

The first solution is to check if OBS is muted in the Volume Mixer. If OBS is muted, it will not record audio. Follow these steps to unmute OBS:

1. Click on the speaker icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen and select Open Volume Mixer from the drop-down menu.
2. Click on the speaker icon under the OBS section to make sure it’s not muted. If it’s not muted, you can skip to the next step.

After you have unmuted OBS Studio, check whether it’s recording the audio now or not. If the problem persists, move down to the next solution.

Solution 2: Reinstall OBS Application

If the problem is caused by system errors or bugs during the installation process, reinstalling OBS can help solve the issue. Follow these steps to reinstall OBS:

1. Click on the search bar and type Control Panel.
2. Click on Uninstall a program.
3. Find OBS Studio in the list, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
4. Follow the prompts to uninstall the app.
5. Then, download the latest version of OBS from the official website.
6. Run the installation file for OBS and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
7. Once OBS is installed, check if OBS is now recording audio.

Solution 3: Set Speaker as the Default Device

Sometimes, OBS may not be able to record audio if the wrong audio device is selected. Follow these steps to set your speaker as the default device:

1. Right-click on the Speaker icon located in the taskbar and select Sound settings from the context menu.
2. Scroll down and click on More sound settings.
3. In the Sound settings window, navigate to the Playback tab.
4. Look for the speaker or audio device you want to use for sound output and select it.
5. Click the Set Default button to make this device the default for both playback and recording.
6. If you have multiple audio devices connected to your computer, you may need to repeat this process for each one.
7. Once you’ve selected your default playback device, click Apply to save your changes.
8. You can now test your sound by playing some music or a video and verifying that you can hear it through your selected device.

Solution 4: Check Audio Settings

If some of the audio settings have not been configured correctly, OBS may not be able to record audio. Follow these steps to check your audio settings:

1. Launch OBS on your computer, select the File menu, and then click on Settings.
2. From the left menu, choose Audio. In the right-hand section, locate the Channels option and select Stereo from the drop-down menu.
3. Now, under the Desktop Audio Device tab, you can choose the audio device you want OBS to use from the drop-down menu.
4. Similarly, if you need to use a separate microphone or auxiliary audio device, select it under the Microphone/Auxiliary Audio Device tab.

Solution 5: Check Audio Drivers

If the above solutions do not work, the problem may be with your audio drivers. You can try updating your audio drivers to fix the issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the “Sound, video and game controllers” category.
3. Right-click on your audio device and select Update driver.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your audio driver.
5. Restart your computer.

Solution 6: Run OBS as Administrator

Running OBS as the administrator is a solution to avoid the problem as it will provide all the administrator account’s rights. Set OBS as the administrator with the steps below:

1. Click on the search bar and type OBS.
2. From the search results that appear, right-click OBS and choose Run as administrator in the menu.
3. Run OBS and check if it’s able to record audio now.

Solution 7: Configure Encoding Settings

If OBS Studio uses improper encoding settings, it might not record any audio from the desktop or microphone. So, another solution is to check for the encoding settings. Now, let’s see how to get it done:

1. Launch OBS Studio on your computer and click on the Settings button in the bottom right-hand corner of the window.
2. In the left-hand menu, select Output and then set the Bitrate to 128.
3. Next, type 3500 in the box next to Bitrate.
4. Uncheck the Use CBR option and click OK to apply the changes you made.
5. Restart OBS Studio and check to see if the problem has been fixed.

Solution 8: Disable Exclusive Mode

Another possible cause of OBS not recording audio could be due to the exclusive mode setting in Windows. This setting allows certain applications to take exclusive control of the audio devices, which can cause conflicts with OBS.

To disable exclusive mode, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the Speaker icon located in the taskbar and select Sound settings from the context menu.
2. Scroll down and click on More sound settings.
3. In the Sound settings window, navigate to the Playback tab and select the default device you are using.
4. Click on the Properties button located below the list of devices, and then select the Advanced tab.
5. Under the Exclusive mode section, uncheck the box that says Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
6. Click Apply and then OK to save the changes you made.

This should prevent any applications from taking exclusive control of your audio device and potentially causing audio stuttering or other issues.

Solution 9: Use a Different Audio Device

If none of the above solutions works, you may want to try using a different audio device. Sometimes, certain audio devices are not compatible with OBS or may have conflicting settings that prevent OBS from recording audio properly.

Try switching to a different audio device and see if the problem persists. You can also try updating the drivers for your current audio device or checking for any conflicts with other applications that may be using the device.

Final Words

These were the best fixes you should try when your OBS Studio isn’t recording audio. Make sure you try all the solutions before coming to a conclusion. Don’t forget to reinstall OBS studio and restart your computer. If you have any doubts or queries, leave them in the comments section below. We will try to help you out.