Recording the ongoing game screen might be difficult when OBS has a black screen. Users have also experienced this problem while streaming online games. This issue can occur due to a bug in the current system update. Moreover, an out-of-date graphics card can also trigger this problem in an open-source app like OBS.
You can encounter the black screen error for setting an incorrect compatibility mode. If OBS doesn’t have administrative privileges, it could generate issues while streaming.
Did you enable the overclocking feature on the Windows PC? It could conflict with the OBS app and lead to a black screen error.
Two OBS software versions are available for Windows 32 and 64-bit users. If you have installed the 32-bit version on the Windows 64-bit device, the problem might occur. Thus, ensure to install the right OBS app version to avoid compatibility issues.
Now, let’s find out the other causes and solutions on how to fix OBS black screen:
What Causes the Black Screen Error in the OBS App?
Several issues could trigger the black screen error when capturing the screen on OBS. If the Windows PC is in an error state, it will prevent the streaming app from functioning properly.
Besides, there are several capturing options available in OBS. You can encounter the black screen error for choosing an incorrect capturing option for the content.
Some users stated that the OBS is incompatible with the latest Windows OS version. Thus, the black screen appears when capturing the game screen or while streaming. Whatever the reason is, you can fix it without any external help. Determine the root cause of the OBS black screen for easy troubleshooting.
Quick Solutions on How to Fix OBS Black Screen Error
Sometimes, restarting the OBS app window can resolve the black screen issue. However, if the error persists, consider rebooting the Windows 10/11 computer. Turn off the device and disconnect the power outlet. Reconnect the power cable to the PC after at least 2-3 minutes. Turn on the computer, open the OBS app and check if the error is solved.
Do you use OBS for recording the game from the laptop? Remove the laptop battery and press the power button to drain the residual charge. Reinstall the battery and turn on the Windows laptop afterwards. Access the OBS window, try to stream a game and check if the black screen appears. If yes, try out these solutions to fix this complicated OBS error:
1. Run OBS Studio with Administrative Privileges
Run the game streaming app as an administrator to fix the black screen error. Locate OBS Studio from the desktop and right-click on it. Choose “Properties” when the pop-up menu appears and head towards “Compatibility”.
Navigate to “Settings” and select “Run this program as an administrator”. Click “Apply” and press the Enter button after providing OBS administrative rights. Close the OBS Studio properties window. Re-access the app window, select a game and capture the screen without glitches.
2. Check and Change OBS’s Compatibility Mode
OBS Studio will display a black screen if it is incompatible with the current OS. However, you can resolve the issue by changing its compatibility. Right-click on OBS Studio from the desktop and opt for “Properties”.
Navigate to “Compatibility” and locate the “Compatibility Mode” option. Choose “Run this program in compatibility mode” and select the OS version. Tap on “Apply” and hit the Enter button to make changes in OBS Studio. Open the application, and stream the online games without getting a black screen.
3. Install the Latest Graphics Driver Update
Streaming apps, like OBS Studio, fail to work if the latest graphics driver isn’t installed on the PC. Thus, try updating the drivers and check if that eliminates the black screen glitch. Press the Windows and X keys together and select “Device Manager” from the pop-up menu.
Locate “Display Adapters” when the Display Manager window appears on the PC screen. Double-tap on “Display Adapters” and right-click on the graphics driver name. Opt for “Update Driver” and select “Search automatically for drivers” when the next window opens.
Wait until the Windows device completes the graphics driver update. Restart the computer and open the OBS Studio application. Choose the game that you want to stream and check if the black screen error is resolved.
4. Choose the Correct Graphics Processor
You must run the free-to-play game and OBS Studio on the same GPU. Otherwise, the app will display a black screen while recording or streaming. Thus, check if OBS and the game run on the same GPU. If not, modify the GPU settings to overcome the black screen issue.
Press the Windows keys and write “NVIDIA Control Panel” in the search bar. Select the NVIDIA Control Panel from the searched results and click “3D Settings”. Choose “Manage 3D Settings” and navigate to “Program Settings”. Tap on the “Add” button and select “OBS Studio” from the app list.
Click “Add Selected Programs” and opt for “Preferred graphics processor”. Choose “High-performance NVIDIA processor” and select “Apply” afterwards. Close the NVIDIA Control panel window and open OBS Studio. You can now stream online games or capture their screen without hurdles.
5. Modify the OBS Studio’s Settings
OBS Studio features, like Overlays or Anti-cheat, can conflict with each other and cause a black screen. Thus, consider disabling these features to fix the error. Open the OBS Studio app and head towards “File”. Go to “Settings”, turn off “Force Scaling” and then disable “Transparency”.
Look for “FPS Lock” and move its toggle from right to left to turn it off. Additionally, the OBS Studio users must disable the “Anti-cheat” and “Overlay” features. Ensure the “Record Cursor” feature is on. Keep the “FPS” and “Resolution” low to avoid black screen errors. Relaunch the OBS Studio app to check if the issue is fixed.
6. Update the OBS Studio app
The black screen error can appear due to an out-of-date OBS Studio app. Thus, you must install the latest update to eliminate the problem. Open the application, tap on “Help”, and select “Check for Updates” from the pop-up menu.
OBS Studio will look for and download the latest update on the PC. Open the app after 2-3 minutes, and it won’t further cause any issues while streaming games.
Lastly, Update the Windows OS ….
Microsoft releases new updates to improve the PC’s performance and eliminate minor bugs. If the OBS black screen error is caused by a bug in the OS, updating it can fix the issue.
Press the Windows and I keys together to access the Settings app and select “Windows Update”. Click “Check for Updates” to let Windows check and install any available updates. Once the update is complete, restart the PC and use OBS for screen recording without any problem.
