How to Fix OBS Black Screen on Windows 10/11

⚡ Quick Fix Summary - TL;DR

• Display Capture = Run OBS on integrated graphics (iGPU)
• Game Capture = Run OBS on dedicated graphics (dGPU)
• Window Capture = Use WGC method (yellow border confirms it's working)

Ever struggled with OBS showing a black screen when trying to record or stream? This "OBS not capturing" issue is especially common among laptop users, but once you understand the single root cause, it's surprisingly easy to fix. Whether you're dealing with an OBS display capture black screen fix, OBS game capture not working, or need an OBS browser capture solution, this guide covers all scenarios.

Why Does OBS Show a Black Screen?

OBS Black Screen Causes and GPU Flowchart

⚡ Key Point: OBS and your target application must use the same GPU to capture properly.

Laptops typically have two graphics processors: the integrated GPU (iGPU) and the dedicated GPU (dGPU). When OBS and the app you're trying to capture are running on different graphics cards, the hooking process fails, resulting in a black screen capture.

Solution 1: Force OBS to Use a Specific GPU on Windows

This method works on Windows 10 (Version 1809 or later) and Windows 11.

OBS GPU Selection – Configure iGPU or dGPU in Windows Settings

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Settings → System → Display → Graphics (at the bottom)
2. Click Browse and navigate to:
   C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe
3. Click Options and choose the appropriate setting:
   • Display Capture: Select Power saving (uses integrated graphics)
   • Game/Window Capture: Select High performance (uses dedicated graphics)
4. Restart OBS after making changes

💡 Pro Tip: If you need both Display Capture and Game Capture on the same PC, you'll need to switch GPU settings frequently. Consider creating separate Scene Collections for different capture types to streamline your workflow.

Solution 2: Fix OBS Game Capture Black Screen

Run OBS as Administrator

Right-click the OBS executable → Properties → Compatibility → check Run this program as an administrator.

Change Game Display Mode

If your game runs in fullscreen mode, alt-tabbing might cause rendering issues. Try switching to Borderless Windowed mode for testing.

⚠️ Check for Conflicting Software: These programs can interfere with OBS capture. Temporarily close them for testing:

• RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server)
• MSI Afterburner
• Discord Overlay
• GeForce Experience in-game overlay
• FPS overlay software
• Some antivirus/security software
• Other recording tools

Game-Specific Limitations

Some popular games don't support Game Capture or have restrictions. Here's an expanded list of commonly reported problematic games:

• Anti-cheat protected games: Valorant, Destiny 2, Counter-Strike 2
• Sandbox/Creative games: Roblox, Minecraft (certain versions)
• Popular titles: Genshin Impact, Fortnite (Anti-cheat enabled)
• Older DirectX games: Some legacy titles may not support modern capture hooks

For these games requiring an OBS game capture not working fix, use Window Capture or Display Capture instead. Many streamers find Window Capture with WGC method works best for Fortnite and Genshin Impact specifically.

📌 Source Management Tip: Don't create multiple Game Capture sources. Use one source and specify the target window.

Solution 3: Fix Window/Browser Capture Black Screen

Enable Windows Graphics Capture (WGC)

OBS Window Capture (WGC) Yellow Border Example

1. Add a Window Capture source in OBS
2. In source properties, set Capture Method to Windows 10/11 (Windows Graphics Capture)
3. You should see a yellow border around the captured window (this won't appear in recordings)
4. If it's still black, try disabling hardware acceleration in your browser temporarily

🔍 Chrome Hardware Acceleration Fix: Go to Chrome Settings → Advanced → System → disable Use hardware acceleration when available, then restart Chrome. This OBS browser capture solution works for most modern browsers including Edge and Firefox.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Update Drivers and Software

• Update your GPU drivers to the latest version (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel)
• Update OBS to the latest version (backup your settings first)

Check Hardware Settings

Several Windows display and graphics features can interfere with capture:

• Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS): Disable temporarily in Windows Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings
• HDR (High Dynamic Range): Turn off HDR in Settings → System → Display → Use HDR if capture issues persist
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Some gaming monitors' VRR can cause capture problems - try disabling in display settings

Verify Source Configuration

Make sure you don't have multiple capture sources (Display Capture, Window Capture, Game Capture) overlapping in the same scene.

Quick Diagnosis Chart - Problem-Specific Solutions

Symptom	Likely Cause	Recommended Fix
Display Capture shows black screen only	GPU mismatch	Set OBS to integrated graphics (Power saving) and restart
Game Capture shows black screen only	Permission/GPU issues	Run OBS as admin + set to dedicated graphics (High performance)
Browser/app window shows black screen	Capture method incompatibility	Switch Window Capture method to WGC (look for yellow border)
Specific games show black screen	Game-specific restrictions	Check game exceptions → use windowed mode + Window/Display Capture
Dual monitor setup issues	Wrong display selection	Ensure OBS and target app are on same monitor, check display numbers
Virtual machine black screen	VM graphics limitations	Enable 3D acceleration in VM settings, use Window Capture instead
Fullscreen games not captured	Exclusive fullscreen mode	Switch game to borderless windowed mode for reliable capture

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the yellow border appear in my recordings?

No! The yellow border you see with Windows Graphics Capture is just a visual indicator that capture is working properly. It won't appear in your actual recordings or streams.

Why do streaming services like Netflix show black screens?

Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming platforms use DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection that prevents screen capture. This is normal behavior to protect copyrighted content. The same applies to some premium video content in browsers.

Can I use Display Capture and Game Capture simultaneously?

While technically possible, it's not recommended since they often require different GPU settings. Using separate Scene Collections for different capture types is more reliable. This is especially important when you need both an OBS display capture black screen fix and game capture working together.

What should I do if capture stops working after an update?

After Windows or graphics driver updates, recheck your GPU settings and restart OBS. If problems persist, consider reinstalling OBS.

Why does OBS black screen only happen on laptop?

Laptops have both integrated and dedicated graphics, unlike most desktop PCs. The dual-GPU setup creates conflicts when OBS and your target application run on different graphics processors. This is why GPU assignment (Solution 1) is crucial for laptop users.

OBS not capturing second monitor - how to fix?

For dual monitor setups, ensure you're selecting the correct display in Display Capture properties. Check Windows display settings to confirm monitor numbering (Display 1, Display 2, etc.). Also verify that both OBS and your target content are running on the same monitor for Window Capture.

Why is OBS not capturing audio with video?

Audio capture issues usually stem from incorrect device settings. Check that your audio devices are set as "Default" in Windows Sound settings, ensure OBS audio monitoring is set to "Monitor Off" unless needed, and verify app-specific audio routing in Windows Volume Mixer. Also uncheck "mute when not active" in OBS audio source properties.

Why does OBS show a black screen with HDR content?

HDR content often appears black due to Windows display protection. Try disabling HDR in Windows Settings → System → Display → Use HDR, then restart OBS. Keep using WGC (Windows Graphics Capture) method for best compatibility. Note that browser DRM content (Netflix, etc.) blocking capture is separate from HDR issues and is normal behavior.

Mobile Quick Reference - Problem Solutions at a Glance

📱 Mobile-Friendly Troubleshooting List

• Display Capture black screen only?
  → Set OBS to integrated graphics (Power saving) and restart
• Game Capture black screen only?
  → Run OBS as admin + set to dedicated graphics (High performance)
• Browser/app window black screen?
  → Switch Window Capture method to WGC (look for yellow border)
• Specific games showing black screen?
  → Check game exceptions → use windowed mode + Window/Display Capture
• Dual monitor setup issues?
  → Ensure OBS and target app are on same monitor, check display numbers
• Virtual machine black screen?
  → Enable 3D acceleration in VM settings, use Window Capture instead
• Fullscreen games not captured?
  → Switch game to borderless windowed mode for reliable capture

🎯 Advanced Troubleshooting Tips:

• Dual Monitor Users: Make sure both OBS and your target application are running on the same monitor. Check Windows display settings if you're unsure about monitor numbering.
• Virtual Machine Users: Enable 3D acceleration in your VM settings and prefer Window Capture over Game Capture for better compatibility.
• Laptop Users: Some gaming laptops have a MUX switch that can affect capture. Check your laptop's gaming software for display routing options.

Final Thoughts

Most OBS black screen problems stem from GPU configuration mismatches. By following this troubleshooting checklist systematically, you should be able to resolve "OBS not capturing" issues effectively. Keep in mind that your specific system configuration might require a combination of these solutions.