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Start by checking OBS’s configured Recording Path. If the recording is an unfinished MKV, make a copy and try playing it; OBS says unfinished MKV recordings remain playable and recoverable. If it is readable but you need MP4, use File > Remux Recordings. An interrupted regular MP4 or MOV may not be recoverable, and OBS does not provide a guaranteed way to restore a deleted file.
Find the recording before trying to repair it
In OBS, open Settings > Output and check the Recording Path under the recording settings. That is the destination OBS uses for recordings. Open that exact folder and look for the expected file.
If you are not sure where it was saved, search your computer for likely recording extensions such as .mkv, .mp4, .mov, or .flv. A missing file is not necessarily a damaged file: establish whether it exists, where it is, and what its extension is before proceeding.
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If OBS or recording stopped unexpectedly but an MKV file remains, first make an untouched copy and troubleshoot the copy. Try opening it in a media player. OBS recommends MKV because an unfinished recording remains playable and recoverable if recording stops without a graceful shutdown.
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If the MKV plays but your editor or playback software needs MP4, use OBS’s built-in remux tool:
- Open OBS and select File > Remux Recordings.
- Select the source MKV recording.
- Choose the destination if the dialog offers that option, then run Remux.
- Open the resulting file and check its duration. Seek through the beginning, middle, and end, and confirm the expected audio and video are present.
Remuxing converts the recording container for compatibility; it is not a guaranteed repair for every damaged file. OBS may warn that the remuxed output is incomplete, so verify the result rather than assuming all footage was recovered.
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If an MP4 or MOV will not open
Identify the recording mode before drawing conclusions. A regular MP4 or MOV must be finalized when recording ends; if OBS or the computer stops while it is being written, the file may not be recoverable. OBS advises against recording directly to regular MP4 or MOV for this reason.
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When the whole computer crashed or the file is zero bytes
A crash of OBS alone is different from a system crash that may also affect storage or filesystem metadata. Community-support discussions describe cases where surviving, nonzero MKV data could be remuxed, but outcomes vary. Reports about zero-byte files are conflicting and anecdotal; zero bytes alone do not establish that a recording is either recoverable or permanently lost.
- Keep an untouched copy if you can do so without putting a potentially failing drive under unnecessary strain.
- Avoid treating an isolated forum anecdote as a universal repair procedure. The discussions do not establish a reliable, cross-platform filesystem fix.
- If the drive may be failing and the footage matters, stop using it and consult a qualified data-recovery professional.
If the recording was deleted
OBS does not have a documented undelete or recovery-bin feature, and there is no guaranteed deleted-recording workflow established here. If the file is valuable, stop writing new data to the affected storage because continued use can reduce the chance of recovery. Check the operating system’s own deleted-item facilities, then use recovery guidance specific to your operating system and storage setup or consult a professional. Do not assume that steps for one platform apply to another.
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Prevent the next recording loss
Choose a resilient recording format
For local recordings, OBS recommends MKV when resilience to an unexpected interruption matters. If an editing application needs MP4, record to MKV and remux after recording rather than relying on regular MP4 finalization during an unexpected shutdown.
Verify the destination and resulting file
- Confirm the configured Recording Path has available storage before a long session.
- After recording, check the file in a player and confirm its duration and tracks before deleting or moving the original.
- Keep a separate backup of irreplaceable recordings; a second copy protects against loss of the original storage.
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Quick Recap
Sources
- OBS Project Audio/Video Formats Guide (published March 26, 2023).
- OBS Project Standard Recording Output Guide (published May 26, 2023).
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