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To fix audio that is not working in OBS, first watch the Audio Mixer: if a meter does not move, check the source, device, permissions, or application routing; if it moves but the recording is silent, check mute state, tracks, and output settings. Make a short test recording and play it back before streaming, so you can distinguish a capture problem from a monitoring problem.
1. Check the OBS Audio Mixer first
Start OBS and look at the Audio Mixer. Each source has a name, fader, volume meter, mute button, and monitor control.
- Play the game, video, or sound you want to capture, or speak into the microphone.
- Watch the corresponding meter for several seconds.
- Confirm that the source is not muted. A muted source shows a muted speaker control; click it to unmute.
- Confirm that the fader is not set to zero and that its volume slider is not far to the left.
- Record a short clip with Start Recording.
- Stop the recording and listen to the resulting file.
The meter’s moving line is a peak reading with decay. The dot above it records the loudest level from the previous 20 seconds, so the meter may appear active briefly after a sound stops. That does not necessarily mean OBS is still receiving audio. (OBS Audio Mixer Guide)
If the meter is too slow or too quick to interpret, change Settings → Audio → Audio Meter Decay Rate.
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2. Prevent duplicate audio and echo
A common mistake is capturing the same device in two places. For example, you might select your headphones as Desktop Audio under Settings → Audio and also add those headphones as an Audio Output Capture source. OBS then receives the same signal twice, producing echo or louder-than-expected audio.
Use one method only:
- If a device is selected globally under Settings → Audio, do not add that same device as a scene source.
- If you add it through Sources → + → Audio Input Capture or Audio Output Capture, set the corresponding global device to Disabled.
- When using Application Audio Capture (BETA), disable global Desktop Audio under Settings → Audio.
(OBS Audio Sources Guide; Application Audio Capture Guide)
3. Fix desktop and game audio on Windows
Use global Desktop Audio
For a simple setup that captures everything played through a Windows output device:
- Open Settings → Audio in OBS.
- Under Global Audio Devices, find Desktop Audio.
- Select the headphones, speakers, or audio interface that Windows is actually using.
- Click Apply, then OK.
- Play audio and check whether Desktop Audio appears in the mixer.
If the meter does not move, open Windows Sound settings and verify the active output device. OBS must listen to the same device that Windows uses for playback.
Capture an application independently
On Windows 10 version 2004 or later and Windows 11, OBS Studio 28 and later can capture audio from an individual application with Application Audio Capture (BETA). This is useful when you want game audio but not other desktop sounds. (OBS Application Audio Capture Guide)
- In the Sources dock, click +.
- Select Application Audio Capture (BETA).
- Create the source.
- Select the game or application from the window dropdown.
- Play audio and check the new mixer meter.
- Disable global Desktop Audio under Settings → Audio to avoid capturing the same sound twice.
Applications such as Chrome and Spotify may change their window titles. Open the source properties and change Window Match Priority to match by executable name instead of window title. (OBS Application Audio Capture Guide)
Capture game audio with Game Capture or Window Capture
OBS Studio 30.1 and later can include application audio directly from a Game Capture or Window Capture source. (OBS Application Audio Capture Guide)
- Add Game Capture or Window Capture from Sources → +.
- Open the source properties.
- Enable Capture Audio (BETA).
- Start the game and test the mixer meter.
Use global Desktop Audio when you want all system audio; use application capture or Capture Audio (BETA) when you want isolated game or application audio.
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Some applications do not expose audio in a way that Application Audio Capture can use. OBS documents VB-CABLE as a workaround for routing that audio. (OBS Application Audio Capture Guide)
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- Install VB-CABLE from its official source and restart Windows if the installer requests it.
- Right-click the taskbar speaker icon and select Open volume mixer.
- Find the application you want to capture.
- Set its Output device to CABLE Input.
- Open Windows Sound settings. On Windows 10, this entry may be named Sounds; on Windows 11, scroll down and select More sound settings.
- In the classic sound window, open Recording, select CABLE Output, and choose Properties → Listen.
- Enable Listen to this device if you also need to hear the routed audio locally.
- In OBS, choose Sources → + → Audio Input Capture and select CABLE Output.
Do not also capture the same application through Desktop Audio or Application Audio Capture, or you may hear it twice.
4. Fix a microphone that does not appear in OBS
You can add a microphone globally or only to a particular scene.
Global microphone
- Open Settings → Audio.
- Under Global Audio Devices, select the intended microphone for Mic/Auxiliary Audio.
- Click Apply, then OK.
Microphone for one scene
- Select the scene that should contain the microphone.
- In the Sources dock, click +.
- Choose Audio Input Capture.
- Create a new source and choose the microphone in the Device field.
- Click OK and speak into the microphone.
A scene-specific Audio Input Capture source only captures while that scene is active. A microphone selected under Settings → Audio is available globally. Do not select the same microphone in both locations. (OBS Audio Sources Guide)
If the microphone meter is completely still
Check every stage of the signal path:
- Confirm the microphone’s physical mute button is off and increase its hardware gain if it has one.
- Check the operating-system input level and privacy permission.
- Close other applications that may have exclusive control of the microphone.
- Open the OBS source properties and confirm the correct device is selected.
- Check that the OBS mixer source is not muted and its fader is not at zero.
On Windows, inspect the device level with Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Sound → Recording → select the microphone → Properties → Levels. Right-click the percentage value and choose decibels to view the level in dB. OBS notes that approximately 0.0 dB is intended to minimize clipping, but the correct value depends on the microphone and must be tested. (OBS Audio Mixer Guide)
A microphone can be quieter than game audio even when both sliders show 100%. The physical microphone gain, Windows level, and OBS fader are separate controls.
5. Fix audio that records but cannot be heard
Recording, streaming, and monitoring are separate. If a mixer meter moves and the test file contains sound, capture is working even if you cannot hear it through your headphones.
- Open Edit → Advanced Audio Properties.
- Find the relevant source.
- Set Audio Monitoring to Monitor and Output if you want to hear it and include it in the output.
- Set it to Monitor Off if you only need it in the recording or stream.
- For the monitoring device, open Settings → Audio → Advanced and choose the headphones or interface you want OBS to use.
- Use the source’s monitor button if available.
Monitoring through speakers while also recording a microphone can create feedback. Headphones are safer for testing. (OBS Audio Mixer Guide)
6. Fix silence in recordings or streams when the meter moves
If the meter moves but the saved file or stream is silent, check the output path rather than replacing the microphone or desktop device.
Check mute and fader state
Make sure the source is not muted and the fader is above zero. OBS permits custom volume percentages above 100% through Edit → Advanced Audio Properties, but increasing gain aggressively can cause clipping and noise. It is better to correct a low microphone level at the microphone or operating-system stage first. (OBS Audio Mixer Guide)
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Check audio tracks
OBS can place sources on different tracks. A recording may contain audio on a track your media player or editing application is not playing.
- Open Edit → Advanced Audio Properties.
- Confirm that the source is assigned to the track you intend to record or stream.
- Open Settings → Output and check the recording track selection in the output settings.
- For a basic recording, put the required microphone and desktop or game sources on Track 1, then make a new test recording.
Streaming normally uses the primary audio track. Track separation is useful for editing, but it can make a source appear missing if it was assigned only to another track.
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7. Fix low, distorted, one-sided, or clipped sound
Use the mixer colors correctly
OBS meters use green, yellow, and red zones. Red means the signal is close to clipping. Speech should reach the lower part of the red area only briefly; gameplay and other content should generally remain lower. If the meter stays in red, reduce the source level at the loudest stage in the chain. (OBS Audio Mixer Guide)
Fix audio only coming from the left or right
OBS defaults to stereo. A mono microphone is automatically heard in both left and right channels. A stereo source, however, can send audio only on the channel carrying the signal. If only the first meter channel lights, viewers may hear it only on the left.
- Open Edit → Advanced Audio Properties.
- Find the affected source.
- Enable Downmix to Mono.
- Make another test recording and check both channels.
You can change the overall channel configuration under Settings → Audio. OBS automatically downmixes surround sources to stereo unless configured otherwise. (OBS Audio Mixer Guide)
8. Game Capture has no picture or audio
Audio and video can fail independently. First check whether the Game Capture source’s meter moves when Capture Audio (BETA) is enabled. Then troubleshoot the picture if necessary.
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- For Capture specific window, start the game before choosing it in the Window dropdown.
- Leave Game Capture’s default options enabled unless you have a specific reason to change them.
- Run OBS as administrator if required by the game. OBS lists Call of Duty, Valorant, Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero among games that may require this. (OBS Game Capture Troubleshooting)
- Temporarily close overlays, injectors, and capture-conflicting software.
- Test again with Window Capture if Game Capture remains unreliable.
RivaTuner Statistics Server and MSI Afterburner are frequent Game Capture conflicts. With RTSS 7.3.2 or newer, open its Setup screen and enable Use Microsoft Detours API hooking for OBS compatibility. (OBS Game Capture Troubleshooting)
Some games have known workarounds:
| Game | Recommended workaround |
|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | Use Window Capture in windowed or borderless fullscreen mode. |
| Destiny 2 | Use Window Capture in windowed or borderless fullscreen mode. |
| Roblox | Use Window Capture. |
| Fortnite with DX12 | Switch to DX11 if capture crashes or causes frame problems. |
| League of Legends | Use Window Capture for the launcher or lobby and Game Capture for the game. |
Older games and emulators may not work reliably with modern game hooking. Window Capture is the recommended alternative to try. On laptops and all-in-one PCs, OBS and the game must use the same high-performance GPU. (OBS Game Capture Troubleshooting)
A fullscreen game may stop rendering when minimized or alt-tabbed. A blank preview while the game is minimized is not conclusive; make a test recording while the game is visible or use another monitor.
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If Minecraft Java has a black or missing Game Capture source, assign Java to the same high-performance GPU as OBS:
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- Close OBS.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open Task Manager.
- Right-click the Java process and select Open file location.
- Shift-right-click javaw or javaw.exe and choose Copy as path.
- Open Windows Display settings → Graphics → Browse.
- Add the copied Java executable.
- Select Options → High performance → Save.
- Restart Minecraft and OBS.
- Set Game Capture to Capture specific window.
If a Game Capture source is the wrong size, right-click it and choose Transform → Reset Transform, then choose Transform → Fit to Screen. (OBS Minecraft Java Edition Troubleshooting; OBS Game Capture Troubleshooting)
9. Capture-card and console audio
A console does not produce audio in OBS merely because it is connected to the computer. Add the capture device as a Video Capture Source, then check the audio properties supplied by that device. Alternatively, capture PS Remote Play or the Xbox app with Window Capture. For macOS and Linux, OBS recommends capture devices supporting USB Video Class (UVC) for better operating-system compatibility.
The Nintendo Switch must be docked for capture-device use. A Switch Lite cannot be captured this way because it cannot be docked. (OBS Game Capture FAQ)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Fix OBS audio on macOS
macOS 13 Ventura and later
On macOS 13 and later, modern OBS versions can capture desktop or application audio without requiring a separate routing utility in every setup. In OBS Studio 30 and later, add macOS Audio Capture Source to capture all desktop audio or audio from a selected application. The macOS Screen Capture Source can capture a display, application, or window together with its audio. (OBS macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide; OBS macOS Screen Capture Source)
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OBS Studio 28 or 29 on macOS 13+
Use macOS Screen Capture Source for desktop or application audio. Do not follow older instructions that use the deprecated Window and Display Sources for this purpose. (OBS macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide)
Older macOS versions
The modern Screen Capture audio feature is available on macOS 13 and later. On macOS 12.3–12.6, the source is available without audio. Older systems may require an audio-routing tool such as VB-CABLE, Loopback, or Sound Siphon. (OBS macOS Screen Capture Source; OBS macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide)
For the documented VB-CABLE installation route, use this Homebrew command:
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brew install –cask vb-cable
Then use Audio MIDI Setup → + → Create Multi-Output Device. Enable both the physical listening device and VB-CABLE, select the resulting device under System Preferences → Sound → Output, and set Settings → Audio → Desktop Audio in OBS to VB-CABLE. (OBS macOS Desktop Audio Capture Guide)
11. Linux audio setup
The Windows and macOS source names do not all exist on Linux. Audio Input Capture and Audio Output Capture are available on Windows and macOS, but not Linux. On Linux, add the appropriate Audio Capture Device (ALSA/PulseAudio) source instead. Choose the correct microphone, sink, or monitor device, then check the OBS mixer meter. If it remains still, verify the selected input or output in the Linux sound controls and make sure another application has not muted or redirected the device. (OBS Audio Sources Guide)
12. Fix microphone desynchronization on Windows
If the microphone slowly drifts out of sync with video or game audio, open the properties of its Audio Input Capture source and inspect Use Device Timestamps. This Windows-only option is off by default and attempts to use the device’s timing information to prevent desynchronization. Test with it enabled or disabled rather than changing it blindly; the correct result depends on the device and driver. (OBS Audio Sources Guide)
Quick diagnosis table
| Symptom | Most likely location of the problem | First action |
|---|---|---|
| No mixer movement | Source, device, permission, or application routing | Check the source properties and operating-system device. |
| Mixer moves but recording is silent | Mute, track, or output configuration | Check Advanced Audio Properties and the recording track. |
| Recording works but live monitoring is silent | Monitoring device or monitoring mode | Check Edit → Advanced Audio Properties and Settings → Audio → Advanced. |
| Echo or doubled game sound | Same device captured twice | Disable the duplicate global or scene-specific source. |
| Audio only on the left | Stereo source carrying one channel | Enable Downmix to Mono. |
| Game video and audio fail together | Game hook, permissions, GPU, or conflicting overlay | Try Window Capture, administrator mode, or the same GPU. |
| Game audio fails but video works | Audio capture method or application routing | Enable Capture Audio (BETA) or use Application Audio Capture. |
Final test before streaming
- Close unnecessary applications that may use the microphone or game overlay.
- Confirm each intended source has a moving meter.
- Confirm no source is muted and there is no duplicate global device.
- Check the Advanced Audio Properties track assignments.
- Record a test containing speech, game sound, and any alerts.
- Play the file from start to finish.
- Only start the stream after the recording contains the expected audio on both channels and at reasonable levels.
FAQ
Why does OBS show a meter but record no sound?
The source is reaching OBS, so check its mute state, Advanced Audio Properties, and recording track assignment. Also check Settings → Output to confirm that the track containing the source is being recorded. A meter alone does not guarantee that the source is on the track you are listening to.
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Not always. On supported Windows systems, OBS Studio 30.1 and later can capture application audio directly through Game Capture or Window Capture with Capture Audio (BETA). Application Audio Capture (BETA) can also isolate a program. Global Desktop Audio remains useful when you want all system sounds.
Why is there an echo in my OBS recording?
The same device is probably being captured globally and as a scene source, or the same application is being captured by Desktop Audio and Application Audio Capture. Disable one of the duplicate sources under Settings → Audio or remove the scene-specific source.
Why can I not hear OBS audio even though it is recording?
Monitoring is separate from recording. Open Edit → Advanced Audio Properties and set the source to Monitor and Output if you need to hear it. Then check the monitoring device under Settings → Audio → Advanced.
Why is my microphone meter not moving in OBS?
Check the microphone’s hardware mute and gain, operating-system privacy permission and input level, the device selected in OBS, and the source mute or fader. On Windows, inspect Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Sound → Recording → microphone → Properties → Levels.
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On supported Windows versions, add Sources → + → Application Audio Capture (BETA), then select the application. For changing window titles such as Chrome and Spotify, set Window Match Priority to match by executable name. Disable global Desktop Audio to avoid duplication.
Why does OBS capture game video but not game audio?
Enable Capture Audio (BETA) in the Game Capture or Window Capture properties, or add Application Audio Capture (BETA). If the application is incompatible, route it through VB-CABLE. Also check Windows Volume Mixer to ensure the game is not routed to an unexpected output.
Does OBS capture desktop audio on Mac?
On macOS 13 and later, OBS Studio 30 and later includes macOS Audio Capture Source, and macOS Screen Capture Source can also capture application or display audio. Older macOS versions may require VB-CABLE, Loopback, or Sound Siphon.
The Bottom Line
Do not begin by changing every OBS setting. Watch the Audio Mixer, identify whether the signal reaches OBS, and then follow the signal path: source selection, operating-system routing, mixer state, monitoring, tracks, and finally the test recording. On Windows, use Application Audio Capture or Capture Audio (BETA) for isolated game sound; on modern macOS, use the macOS capture sources; on Linux, use ALSA/PulseAudio sources.
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