OBS: Why is my screen black? Try these solutions

OBS Studio is the streaming software of choice for many professional gamers, and for good reason. It can integrate seamlessly with major platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming and works well with most operating systems. Another advantage is the open source nature of the program.

However, OBS is not immune to glitches and there is one particular problem that plagues Windows users. We are talking, of course, about the infamous Black Screen. The error usually occurs during the live broadcast and there are several possible causes. In this article, we’ll get to the heart of the matter and show you how to fix it with step-by-step instructions.

What causes black screen in OBS?

The black screen is probably the most common problem that Windows users experience while streaming with OBS. Several potential scenarios can cause the error, so let’s take a look:

• Dedicated and integrated graphics that interfere. Your operating system must determine whether you want to use the motherboard or a dedicated graphics card to allocate resources for a particular game or application. Sometimes the process can hinder the performance of the OBS software by interfering with the execution mechanics.
• Lack of administrator rights. When sharing the entire screen with OBS, the PC can sometimes activate the restriction mode and hide the screen content.
• The application is incompatible with the operating system. Since there are two versions of OBS available (32-bit and 64-bit), the operating system may not be compatible with the one you installed. System updates can also cause compatibility issues.
• Overclocking. While it can significantly improve overall PC performance, overclocking can sometimes break third-party software.
• Collides with similar software. If similar software is running in the background, OBS could conflict with it and cause a metadata overflow. Excess resources can cause malfunctions such as black screen error.
• Improper capture settings. Since OBS offers several different screenshot options, enabling the wrong one can sometimes lead to crashes.
• The computer is in an error state. If you keep your PC running for a long period of time, it may end up in an error state, hampering overall performance.

Possible solutions

Once you have determined the source of the problem, you can take the appropriate steps to fix it. In the following paragraphs, we have included step-by-step instructions for each scenario. Below are some possible solutions that can help you deal with the dreaded black screen.

Disable overclocking

Simply put, increasing the clock frequency of your CPU until it reaches the temperature threshold is called “overclocking.” While it can increase the FPS and overall performance of the PC, there are several problems that come with it. Mainly, overclocking can cause crashes in third-party software like OBS. If you think this is what is causing the black screen error, you should disable the feature:

1. Press and hold ”Windows + C” to access the charm bar.
2. Go to “Settings” and then “Change PC settings.” Select “General” from the list of options.
3. Select “Advanced Startup” and then “Restart Now.”
4. Open “Troubleshoot” and go to Advanced Options to select “UEFI Firmware Settings”.
5. Restart your computer to automatically launch the BIOS menu.
6. Open the “Advanced” tab and click “Performance.”
7. Find the overclocking option and disable it. Save the change and press ”F10” to exit the BIOS menu.

Change OBS settings

While the default settings in OBS usually work great, certain settings can make online screen sharing difficult. If the black screen appears every time you try to stream, please go to “Settings” and adjust the following functions:

• Disable “Force Scaling”.
• Turn off “Transparency”.
• Disable “FPS Lock”.
• Disable “Anti-cheat”.
• Disable “Overlays”.
• Enable “Record Cursor”.
• Scale down the FPS and reduce the resolution.
• Change the x264 preset.

Change driving licenses

If OBS is installed on your C drive, not all PC users can modify the data content of the software. Restrictions can cause crashes during screenshots, so you’ll probably need to adjust your driving license settings accordingly. This is what you have to do:

1. Make sure you are logged in to an account with administrative privileges.
2. Press and hold “Windows + E” to access “File Explorer.” Locate the main drive and right-click to open a drop-down list. Choose “Properties.”
   
3. Open the “Security” tab and click “Edit” to change the permissions.
   
4. In the “Group or User Name Box”, select “Authenticated User” and enable “Full Control” under “Permissions for Authenticated Users”.
   
5. To save your changes, select “Apply” and then “OK.”
   
6. Restart your PC and launch OBS to check if it is working properly.

Change GPU settings

Another possible solution is to change the GPU settings. Selecting the wrong processing unit for your screenshot software is a common cause of the black screen error. Fortunately, it can be resolved quickly with the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Right click on your screen to access the NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Navigate to the “Manage 3D Settings” tab and open the “Program Settings” section.
   
3. Scroll through the list of programs and click on the OBS screenshot function. If you can’t find it, click the “Add” button and look for an OBS .exe file.
   
4. Choose the appropriate graphics processor for your screenshot activity. NVIDIA processor works as the best option for streaming. The standard GPU will usually work for a simple screenshot.
   
5. Once you’re done, save all changes and restart your PC. Launch OBS to check if the black screen error is fixed.

Please note that this method only works if your PC has a dedicated graphics card. Otherwise, consider installing one for optimal performance.

Administrator rights

If OBS Studio does not have proper administrator rights, your PC is likely preventing you from sharing screen content, resulting in the black screen. The issue can be resolved by granting administrator privileges to the application. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use the search function to find the OBS installation file. You can also use the shortcut ”Windows + S”.
2. Right click on the app icon to open a drop-down menu. Choose “Open file location” from the list.
   
3. A new window will open containing the file. Right-click the file and select “Properties” from the drop-down options panel.
   
4. A new window will appear. Open the “Compatibility” tab and navigate to the “Settings” box. Enable the “Run this program as administrator” option by checking the small box on the left side.
   
5. To save your changes, select “Apply.” As always, restart your PC and launch OBS to see if the method worked.
   

Compatibility mode

Installing the latest framework can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. OBS seems to be having trouble supporting the latest version of the Windows operating system, which may impact screen sharing and overall software performance. If you think that is what is causing the error, try modifying the compatibility settings. Here’s how to do it:

1. Use the ”Windows + S” keys to locate the OBS installation file. Right-click on the app and choose “Open file location” from the drop-down list.
   
2. You will be redirected to the destination folder. Right click on the OBS file and press “Properties”.
   
3. A pop-up box will appear. Open the “Compatibility” tab and find the “Compatibility Mode” section.
   
4. Check the box that says “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and choose the current version of the Windows operating system. Select “Apply” and restart your PC.
   

Updating OBS

Of course, sometimes the source of the problem is the software itself. If none of the fixes mentioned above worked, you can always try reinstalling the app to get the latest framework. Since OBS is an open source program, it is completely free to download. Instead of being stuck with an outdated version, try the following method:

1. Launch the Control Panel application. The quickest way to do this is using the search function or the ”Windows + S” command.
2. Click “Programs” to access a list of applications.
3. Scroll until you find OBS. Right click on the installation file and click “Uninstall.” Restart your PC.
4. Open your browser and go to OBS official website to download the latest version.

Power cycle

Sometimes the simplest solution is the answer. Before resorting to high-tech troubleshooting actions that didn’t help, consider performing a power cycle. In other words, have you tried turning it off and on again?

When your PC stays active for too long, it can overheat and end up in an error state. By completely removing the power supply, you can boot the device and resolve most temporary issues. In case you’ve never tried this before, here are the steps to perform the power cycle:

1. Start by turning off your computer.
2. Wait until it is completely off and then unplug the desktop computer’s power outlet. Laptop users will need to remove the battery.
3. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds to make sure all the power is discharged.
4. Leave it like this for the next 5 to 10 minutes and then restart.

Goodbye to blackouts

While certainly annoying, the black screen is perfectly manageable. If you notice any technical problems, start with the simplest solutions, such as power cycling or playing with the settings. Also, the version of OBS you installed may not be compatible with your operating system, so be sure to check the app’s specifications.

If that doesn’t work, there are a number of advanced troubleshooting actions that may fix the problem. Be sure to follow the steps carefully, especially when adjusting the CPU settings.

What is your experience with OBS? Do you often encounter bugs and errors? Comment below and tell us if there is another way to fix the black screen error.