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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For a long OBS recording that must survive a crash or power loss, record to MKV rather than regular MP4 or MOV. OBS says an unfinished MKV remains playable and recoverable, while regular MP4/MOV may be unrecoverable if writing is interrupted. If your workflow needs an MP4-compatible file, use OBS’s remux feature after recording, or consider Hybrid MP4 if your OBS version and codec combination support it.
Choose the format for interruption recovery first
A recording container determines how video and audio are packaged, and whether the file needs a finalization step before it can be played. That distinction matters for a 24/7 recording: a sudden shutdown can interrupt the write before the file is finished.
| Format | Interrupted recording | Codec and workflow notes |
|---|---|---|
| MKV | OBS describes it as failsafe; an unfinished recording remains playable and recoverable. | Supports every encoder combination in OBS. Remux to another container if your editor requires it. |
| Regular MP4/MOV | Requires finalization; OBS warns that an interrupted write may leave the file unrecoverable. | Use only when the compatibility benefit outweighs the interruption risk for your workflow. |
| Fragmented MP4/MOV | Avoids the same finalization dependency as regular MP4/MOV. | Check codec and target-editor compatibility before relying on it. |
| Hybrid MP4 | Uses fragmented writing and a soft-remux finalization for broader compatibility; OBS describes it as recoverable after an aborted write. | Available in OBS 30.2 and later; supports H.264, HEVC, and AV1 video. Audio support differs, including limited PCM compatibility. |
| Hybrid MOV | Uses fragmented writing and soft-remux finalization. | Supports H.264, HEVC, and ProRes video; relevant when that codec profile is needed. |
OBS’s official guidance recommends MKV when unexpected interruption is a concern. Hybrid MP4 is a reasonable alternative when MP4 compatibility matters and your installed OBS version, codecs, and editor have been checked. These are documented format behaviors, not guarantees from independent 24/7 crash testing.
Set the recording path and container in OBS
- Open Settings > Output. Set the recording path to a drive with enough free space for the planned recording and retention period. Use a location you can identify and access for recovery.
- Set the recording format to MKV for the strongest emphasis on recoverability. If you need MP4-compatible output, verify the availability of Hybrid MP4 in your OBS version and confirm that the chosen video and audio codecs work in your editor.
- Choose the recording encoder and quality preset with both storage growth and hardware headroom in mind. A 24/7 recording continuously consumes disk space and encoding resources; leave room for the system to run reliably.
- Save the settings and make a short test recording. Stop it normally, open it in your intended player or editor, and confirm the video, audio, resolution, and frame rate are as expected.
Remux MKV to MP4 when you need an editing copy
Remuxing changes the container without re-encoding the streams, so it is the documented OBS route for turning a resilient MKV recording into an MP4 copy when your workflow needs one.
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- After the recording has stopped, open File > Remux Recordings.
- Select the MKV recording and choose the output location for the MP4 file.
- Start the remux, then test the resulting MP4 in the intended editor or player before deleting or moving the original MKV.
OBS also documents an automatic remux option after recording stops. This still depends on OBS being able to perform the remux; retaining the original MKV until the converted file is checked avoids making the conversion your only copy.
Balance recording quality, disk use, and machine load
For a continuous recording, quality presets affect how quickly storage fills and how much work the encoder must do. OBS warns that its Lossless preset uses the CPU encoder and produces very large files; OBS’s 2023 Recording Encoder Presets Guide estimates around 7 GB per minute. That published figure is not a calculation for your particular stream, and Lossless is rarely a sensible default for unattended 24/7 capture.
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OBS also notes that Indistinguishable can increase storage requirements and may affect older or weaker hardware. Choose a quality setting by balancing visual needs, available disk space, and machine capacity, then measure actual file growth during a representative test. Avoid relying on a short test alone to predict long-term capacity if the content’s motion or complexity varies substantially.
Plan a second copy; a recoverable file is not a backup
MKV can reduce the chance that one interrupted write ruins the recording, but it does not protect against drive failure, accidental deletion, theft, or other loss of the storage device. For recordings worth keeping, decide how long to retain them and establish a separate-copy routine. A second drive is one possible local copy; its required capacity depends on your measured recording size and retention period, and a single extra drive does not protect against every failure.
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OBS profiles can be exported as JSON to preserve most output settings. Scenes are not stored in profiles, so export or back up scene collections separately. After changing the recording configuration, keep both exports with your setup notes so the output choices can be restored without assuming the scenes are included.
Troubleshoot common recording problems
- The recording will not open after a crash: If it was regular MP4 or MOV, interrupted finalization may have left it unrecoverable. For future recordings choose MKV or a compatible hybrid/fragmented format, and test the desired codec combination before relying on it.
- The remuxed MP4 is missing or does not play as expected: Confirm that the original MKV still exists and plays, then check the target editor’s supported codecs and audio formats. Container compatibility alone does not guarantee every codec combination is accepted.
- The drive fills during a long session: Review actual recording growth and the remaining free space, reduce the retention window or choose a less storage-intensive quality setting, and ensure the path points to the intended drive.
- The computer struggles during recording: Reconsider the encoder and quality preset. Lossless uses the CPU encoder and can create very large files; demanding settings may exceed the available hardware headroom.
- Output settings are lost when moving to another OBS setup: Export the profile, and back up the scene collection separately because the profile does not contain scenes.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a YouTube channel that needs uploaded videos played continuously, StreamNeo is a separate option from recording a local OBS file: upload a recording or build a playlist, add the YouTube stream key, and go live. The cloud keeps the stream running without leaving a computer or home connection on. It streams the uploads as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; it also attempts automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. This does not replace a local recording or backup if you need an archival copy. See StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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