OBS Studio “No Sound” or Black Screen? How to Fix the Most Common Issues (2025 Guide)

You open OBS Studio, hit Start Recording or Start Streaming, and then:

• Your microphone doesn’t show up in the recording
• Your game audio is missing
• The preview is completely black, or the recording is just a black screen

…even though everything worked fine yesterday.

If that sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.
Especially after Windows updates or OBS updates, it’s common to see sudden problems like:

• “OBS no sound after Windows 11 update”
• “OBS game capture black screen on laptop”

The good news:
Most of these issues come from a handful of very typical causes, and you can systematically track them down instead of randomly changing settings.

This guide is written for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users running current OBS Studio versions (around 32.x as of late 2025).
We’ll walk through:

• Quick checks to do before you panic
• How to fix no audio (desktop audio, mic, media, etc.)
• How to fix black screen problems (display/game/window capture)
• Windows 11–specific quirks (HDR, security, audio routing, updates)
• When to check logs and ask the OBS community for help

1. Quick checklist before deep troubleshooting

Before digging into advanced settings, run through this short checklist.
It often saves a lot of time.

1.1 Is OBS Studio up to date?

Recent OBS versions include many fixes for Windows 10/11, new GPUs, and other compatibility issues. The latest stable release as of late 2025 is OBS Studio 32.0.2, officially supporting Windows 10 and 11.

You can check directly in OBS:

1. Click Help → Check for Updates.
2. If an update is available, install it and restart OBS.

If you rely heavily on plugins, it’s a good idea to back up your configuration or at least note your current version in case you need to roll back.

1.2 Watch the audio meters in the Mixer

Look at the Audio Mixer at the bottom of OBS:

• Speak into your microphone
• Play some game audio or a YouTube video

Now check:

• ✅ If the meters move (green/yellow bars), OBS is receiving audio
• ❌ If the meters don’t move at all, OBS isn’t getting any signal

This tells you where the problem is:

• No meter movement → Device selection, mutes, Windows sound settings
• Meters move, but recordings/streams are silent → Audio tracks, monitoring, or output settings

We’ll handle both scenarios in section 2.

1.3 Is the preview or recording really black?

For video, ask yourself:

• Is only one specific source black (e.g., one game)?
• Or is the entire preview black, no matter what source you use?
• Are you on a laptop with both integrated and dedicated GPU?

On Windows 10/11, dual-GPU laptops are a very common reason for black screen display capture in OBS. We’ll cover that in detail in section 3.

2. Fixing “no sound” in OBS Studio

Let’s start with audio, because missing sound is one of the most frustrating problems.

We’ll separate it into two big categories:

1. No meter movement – OBS isn’t getting any audio at all
2. Meters move, but nothing in the recording/stream – routing/track issues

2.1 No audio meters moving: OBS isn’t getting any signal

2.1.1 Check global audio devices in OBS

Go to Settings → Audio.

Under Global Audio Devices, look at:

• Desktop Audio – usually your main speakers or headphones
• Mic/Auxiliary Audio – your microphone, headset mic, or audio interface

Make sure:

• “Desktop Audio” is set to the device Windows is actually using to play sound
• “Mic/Aux” is set to the microphone you are actually speaking into

If you’re unsure, you can temporarily set them to Default and let OBS pick up the OS default devices. Then play some audio and watch the meters.

Tip: If you want to capture only a single app (like a game), you can add an Application Audio Capture or Audio Output Capture source and bind it directly to that app instead of using global desktop audio.

2.1.2 Check Windows app volume & device preferences

In Windows 10/11 you can control audio per application.
If OBS’s output is accidentally muted here, its meters will stay silent.

On Windows 11:

1. Open Settings → System → Sound
2. Scroll down and click Volume mixer (or “App volume and device preferences”)
3. Find OBS Studio in the list
4. Make sure:
   • The volume isn’t at 0
   • The output device is the same one you expect (your main speakers/headset)

Some users found OBS audio misbehaving until they fixed app-specific routing in the Windows mixer.

Also check that your main system volume isn’t muted. On Windows 11 especially, muting system audio can also mute what OBS receives as desktop audio.

2.1.3 Make sure the mic isn’t muted or blocked

There are three common mute points:

1. Physical mute button on your microphone or headset
2. OBS mixer mute – look for a red mute icon on the mic source
3. Windows privacy settings

To check Windows privacy:

1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone
2. Make sure “Microphone access” and “Allow desktop apps to access your microphone” are turned On
3. If OBS is listed, ensure it’s not blocked

If you’re on Windows 11 and you recently upgraded from Windows 10, double-check these permissions; some users lose mic access after upgrading until they re-enable app access.

2.1.4 Check filters (noise gate, noise suppression, etc.)

Filters are powerful but can also cut your audio completely if misconfigured.

1. In the Audio Mixer, click the gear icon next to your microphone → Filters
2. Look for:
   • Noise Gate – if the open threshold is too high, your voice may never “open” the gate
   • Expander/Compressor – extreme settings can squash your signal

To test quickly, you can disable all filters temporarily and see if your audio appears. If it does, re-enable filters one by one and adjust.

2.2 Meters move, but there’s no audio in the recording or stream

This is where many OBS-specific settings come into play: audio tracks and monitoring.

2.2.1 Fix mismatched audio tracks

In OBS, each audio source can be assigned to one or more tracks (1–6). Then:

• Recordings use a chosen set of tracks
• Streams use one configured track

If your mic is on Track 2 but your recording is configured to only include Track 1, the recording will be silent even though the mixer shows activity.

Step 1: Check source track assignment

1. In the mixer, click the gear icon → Advanced Audio Properties
2. For each source (Desktop Audio, Mic, etc.), look at the Tracks 1–6 columns
3. Make sure the tracks you intend to use (usually Track 1 at least) are checked

Step 2: Check output settings

1. Go to Settings → Output
2. Under Streaming:
   • Make sure Audio Track matches one of the tracks you checked above (e.g., Track 1)
3. Under Recording:
   • Make sure at least one of the Audio Track checkboxes (1–6) is selected
   • Ideally include all tracks you use or at least the ones where your mic and desktop audio are assigned

Incorrect track routing is a very common reason people can hear audio in monitoring, see meters, but get silent recordings.

2.2.2 Fix “Monitor Only (mute output)” issues

OBS has three monitoring modes for each source:

• Monitor Off – no monitoring, only goes to the recording/stream
• Monitor Only (mute output) – you hear it, but it does not go to the recording/stream
• Monitor and Output – you hear it, and it also goes to the recording/stream

If you can hear audio in your headphones but nothing is recorded, the source may be set to Monitor Only (mute output).

How to fix it:

1. In the mixer, click the gear icon → Advanced Audio Properties
2. Find the source(s) with issues
3. Under Audio Monitoring, change
   • from “Monitor Only (mute output)”
   • to “Monitor and Output”

Many Windows 11 users have reported “no audio in recording” that was ultimately caused by the monitoring setting being “Monitor Off” or “Monitor Only”.

2.3 Windows 11–specific audio quirks

Some people only see issues after upgrading to Windows 11. Typical symptoms:

• Media sources are audible to viewers but not to you (monitoring problems)
• Desktop audio behaves differently than on Windows 10 (muting system audio kills OBS desktop audio)

If you recently upgraded:

1. Re-select your Monitoring Device in Settings → Audio
   • Don’t leave it on weird duplicates of your headset
   • Some users fixed their issues simply by reselecting the correct device.
2. Avoid using the same device both as a captured device (desktop audio) and as a monitoring device; that can create loops and cause OBS to mute monitoring to protect you.

3. Fixing OBS black screen issues on Windows 10/11

Now let’s tackle video.
“Black screen” is most common with Display Capture or Game Capture, especially on laptops.

We’ll again go from basic checks to more advanced ones.

3.1 Check the type of capture

OBS has several capture sources:

• Display Capture – captures your entire monitor
• Window Capture – captures a single app window
• Game Capture – captures full-screen or some exclusive games

Ask yourself:

• Does every scene show a black preview?
• Or only the scene where you use Game Capture for a particular game?

If only one source is black:

• For a game, try switching from Game Capture to Windowed (borderless window mode) or use Display Capture as a test.
• For a browser or video player, try Window Capture instead of Display Capture.

3.2 Dual GPU laptops: integrated vs. dedicated graphics

On many gaming laptops, you have:

• An integrated GPU (Intel)
• A dedicated GPU (NVIDIA or AMD)

If OBS is running on one GPU and your game/desktop is rendered by the other, OBS may simply see a black screen. This is one of the most widely reported causes of Display Capture black screens.

How to force OBS to use the correct GPU (Windows 11)

1. Open Settings → System → Display
2. Scroll down and click Graphics
3. Under “Graphics performance preference”, click Browse
4. Navigate to your OBS executable (default path:
   C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe)
5. Add it, click on it, then click Options
6. Choose either:
   • High performance – typically the dedicated GPU
   • or Power saving – if you want it on the integrated GPU, but then your game should be on the same GPU

After setting this, restart OBS and test again.

Some older guides recommend putting OBS on the integrated GPU and games on the dedicated GPU, but in practice, many users find fewer issues if both are on the same GPU. The key is consistency.

3.3 HDR and high refresh rate issues

Even on single-GPU systems, some Windows 11 users saw black screen issues on Display Capture that were resolved by disabling HDR or adjusting display modes.

Try:

1. Right-click on the desktop → Display settings
2. If Use HDR is enabled, toggle it Off as a test
3. Set your monitor refresh rate to 60 Hz temporarily
4. Restart OBS and test Display Capture again

If this fixes it, you can experiment with turning HDR/144Hz back on one at a time to see what your system can handle.

3.4 Switch capture methods in OBS

OBS has different methods for capturing the screen. Some combinations of Windows build + GPU driver + capture method can cause black screens.

For Display Capture:

1. Right-click the source → Properties
2. If there is a Capture Method / Capture Mode dropdown:
   • Try switching between Default, Windows 10 (1903 and up), and any BitBlt or compatibility options

For Game Capture:

• Try switching the Mode between:
  • Capture any fullscreen application
  • Capture specific window
  • Capture foreground window with hotkey

If a particular game refuses to work with Game Capture, use Window Capture or Display Capture as a workaround.

3.5 Check overlays, overlays, and more overlays

Sometimes third-party overlays can interfere with capture:

• GPU monitoring overlays (MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, etc.)
• In-game overlays from Discord, Steam, Xbox Game Bar, etc.

If you suspect this:

1. Temporarily disable MSI Afterburner, RivaTuner, and similar tools
2. Disable Xbox Game Bar and Game Mode in Windows:
   • Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar → Turn off
   • Settings → Gaming → Game Mode → Turn off
3. Restart your game and OBS, then test again

3.6 Controlled folder access and security tools blocking recording

Sometimes OBS is technically capturing the screen, but cannot write the file properly because Windows Security or third-party antivirus is blocking it. The result can be broken or black files.

Microsoft’s Controlled folder access (ransomware protection) is a known cause.

To test this:

1. Open Windows Security
2. Go to Virus & threat protection → Ransomware protection
3. Click Manage controlled folder access
4. Either:
   • Temporarily turn Controlled folder access Off, or
   • Click Allow an app through Controlled folder access and add obs64.exe

If you use third-party antivirus, look for:

• “Protected folders”
• “Ransomware protection”
• “Application control”

and add OBS as an allowed or trusted app.

Also confirm:

• You have write permissions to the recording folder
• There is enough free disk space

4. Advanced troubleshooting: when the basics don’t fix it

If you’ve gone through the audio and video sections and still have issues, it’s time to let OBS tell you what’s happening internally.

4.1 Upload your OBS log file

OBS can upload a diagnostic log that the community or support volunteers can read.

1. In OBS, go to Help → Log Files → Upload Current Log File
2. OBS will upload the log and give you a URL
3. Copy this URL

Then you can post it on:

• The official OBS Studio Forums (Windows Support section)
• The OBS Discord or relevant Reddit communities

Explain:

• What you’re trying to do (record/stream, which source)
• What you have already tried
• What the symptoms are (no sound, black preview, etc.)

The log contains:

• OS version and build
• OBS version
• GPU and driver info
• Enabled plugins
• Audio settings (devices, sample rate, tracks)
• Errors and warnings during the session

This often reveals misconfigurations or driver issues you wouldn’t spot manually.

4.2 Double-check your signal path (great for audio)

When audio gets complicated (multiple mics, virtual devices, Voicemeeter, NDI, etc.), it helps to:

1. Draw a simple diagram:
   • Mic → Interface → Windows → OBS input → Track → Output / Recording
2. At each stage, ask:
   • Is it muted here?
   • Is it using the expected device?
   • Is the level too low?

This is exactly what experienced OBS users and audio engineers do to debug complex setups.

5. FAQ: Common questions about OBS sound and black screen issues

Q1. OBS doesn’t record desktop audio, but my mic works. Why?

Likely causes:

• Desktop Audio is set to the wrong device (e.g., unused HDMI output)
• Windows 11 bound OBS desktop audio to system volume, and the system is muted
• You’re using a special driver (Voicemeeter, virtual cable) but routing is incorrect

Check Settings → Audio → Desktop Audio, and your Windows app volume settings.

Q2. I can hear everything in my headphones, but my recordings are silent.

Most likely your sources are set to “Monitor Only (mute output)” or to a track that the recording doesn’t include.

• In Advanced Audio Properties, set Audio Monitoring to “Monitor and Output” for relevant sources
• Make sure those sources have the same Track enabled that you use in your Recording settings

Q3. Display Capture is black, but Window Capture works. What’s wrong?

This usually points to:

• Dual GPU issues → OBS and desktop on different GPUs
• HDR and certain display modes on Windows 11

Try:

• Forcing OBS to run on the same GPU as the desktop
• Disabling HDR and using a standard 60 Hz mode as a test

Q4. Is Windows 11 bad for OBS?

No—but it changes how audio and display capture behave in some cases:

• Desktop audio is more tightly bound to system volume controls
• HDR and some gaming features can conflict with capture methods

As long as you update OBS, keep GPU drivers current, and double-check audio/capture settings, Windows 11 works very well for OBS.

6. Final tips: make your OBS setup “forget-proof”

Once you finally fix your sound or black screen issues, it’s worth spending a few minutes to make your setup more robust:

• Save a backup profile & scene collection
  • OBS → Profile → Export / Scene Collection → Export
• Keep notes of key settings:
  • Which device is used for Desktop Audio
  • Which mic is used, and on which tracks
  • Whether you’re using Display/Game/Window Capture for each scene
• Update deliberately:
  • When updating Windows or OBS, plan a test session
  • Quickly check audio meters, preview, and a short test recording

OBS can look intimidating, but once your configuration is stable, it’s an incredibly reliable streaming and recording tool.

If your audio suddenly disappears or your preview goes black, use this guide as a checklist.
Step by step, you’ll find out where the signal stops—and you’ll get your stream or recording back up and running much faster.

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