How to Fix OBS Desktop Audio Not Working [6 Ways]

Experiencing issues with OBS desktop audio? A silent stream can be frustrating but fret not; we are here to help! This guide will take you through six effective solutions to tackle the problem of desktop audio not working OBS. 

We will take you through some easy troubleshooting steps to get your audio up and running. From checking your device settings to troubleshooting driver or system issues, adjusting your audio mixer settings, and verifying hardware connections, we have got you covered! With these simple solutions, you’ll be able to resolve the desktop audio not working OBS and elevate your streaming or recording experience with OBS. Let’s get started!

Why Is OBS Not Recording Desktop Audio?

If you’re going live or trying to broadcast your content to an audience, but OBS is not recording the desktop audio, it could be due to several reasons. For instance:

• Incorrect Audio Settings

Make sure that you have selected the correct audio device in OBS’s settings. Also, make sure that the audio device is turned on and the volume is turned up.

• OBS is Muted

Check to see if OBS is muted in the Windows Volume Mixer. If it is, unmute it and try again.

• Another Program controls your Audio

Some programs, such as audio editing software, can take control of your audio devices. If this is the case, you will need to close these programs before trying to record audio with OBS.

• Outdated Driver

If your audio driver is outdated, it may not be compatible with OBS. Try updating your audio driver to see if this fixes the problem.

• OBS Not Installed Properly

If OBS is not properly installed, it may not be able to record audio. Try reinstalling OBS to see if this fixes the problem. Regardless of the reason behind your desktop audio not working OBS, let’s have a look at some solutions to resolve this issue.

Fix 1: Check Your Audio Device Settings

When you notice that the desktop audio not working OBS, the first thing to do is to check your audio device settings. 

Here’s what to do:

• On your PC, open “Settings > Sound.”
• Make sure your speakers are set as the default audio output. 
• Now restart OBS and try again.

However, even after checking your audio device settings, if the desktop audio is not working in OBS, try the next method.

Fix 2: Check OBS Audio Settings

If your audio device settings are correct, but still desktop audio not working OBS, there might be some issue with the audio settings of OBS. Therefore, it’s time to tweak the settings a bit! Here’s what to do:

Step 1. Open OBS, and go to “File > Settings > Audio.”

Step 2. Click on “Stereo > Global Audio Devices.”

Step 3. Now select the right output option for “Desktop Audio” and “Mic/Auxiliary Audio.” Or simply select “Default.”

Once you set these options, your OBS desktop audio should start working. But in case the issue persists, you can try updating your audio drivers.

Fix 3: Update Your Audio Drivers

It is possible that your audio drivers are out of date, causing them to be incompatible with OBS. The solution? Update your audio drivers!

Step 1. On your PC, go to “Start > Device Manager.”

Step 2. Click on “Audio Inputs and Outputs” and right-click on “Speaker” to update it.

Step 3. You will receive a pop-up notification asking if you want to install the drivers manually or automatically. We suggest going for the “Search Automatically” option.

Windows will search your computer for the required driver and install it if it is out of date. However, if your drivers are already up-to-date but still desktop audio not working OBS, you can try a more technical solution

Fix 4: Adjust OBS Output Encoding Settings

If everything else is on fleek and still the OBS desktop audio is not working, it may be time to dig a bit deeper into the issue. It’s time to adjust the OBS output encoding settings! But let us remind you that this method might be a bit difficult for less tech-savvy people; therefore, let a technoid handle it.

Step 1. Launch OBS, go to “File > Settings > Output,” and set the bitrate to 320.

Step 2. Now click on the “Audio” tab and set the sample rate to 44.1 kHz.

Step 3. Click “Ok” to save the settings.

Restart OBS and see whether the desktop audio is working or not. If it’s working, well and good; otherwise, try the next quick fix.

Fix 5: Remove Other Audio Control Programs

There is a possibility that you have other audio control programs installed on your system that might be interfering with OBS desktop audio. Therefore, go to your system’s settings and disable those programs. 

If none of these 5 solutions work to resolve the desktop audio not working OBS issue, the problem may be a lot more technical than we imagined. Therefore, you can contact OBS customer support for further guidance.

Fix 6: Record Desktop Audio Using Screen Recorder Alternative

So, your OBS desktop audio is acting up, and you have an important presentation to stream? Don’t just wait around, get iMobie Gemoo Recorder Lite and get streaming! Gemoo Recorder Lite is a fantastic screen recorder and video editor that’s completely free for both Windows and Mac. With its user-friendly interface, it’s super easy to record your screen, webcam, and audio. Plus, you can edit your recordings, add annotations, and export them in a bunch of different formats. Whether you want to go live, broadcast content to an audience, or record your screen, Gemoo Recorder Lite is the best alternative to OBS.

Download Gemoo Recorder Lite and give it a try, and see how it can help you record desktop audio!

Step 1. Launch Gemoo Recorder on your PC, and select “Audio Only” recording mode from the interface.

Step 2. Hit the “Start Recording” button to initiate recording. Then it will pop out a countdown to help you prepare the recording.

Step 3. After the countdown, then you can record the audio, such as video sound, music, your voice, and so on.

Step 4. While the recording is over, hit the red stop button to finish recording the audio.

Video Tutorial on How to Fix OBS Desktop Audio Not Working

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How to enable desktop audio on OBS?

To enable desktop audio on OBS, here’s what you must do:

• Launch OBS, and click on “File > Settings > Audio.”
• Click on “Desktop Audio Device” and select the preferred audio device that you want to use to record desktop audio. 
• Now click “Ok” to save the settings. Your desktop audio on OBS will be enabled.

Q. How do I reset my OBS audio?

If you want to reset your OBS audio, you will have to reset all the settings during the process. Here’s how to go about it:

• Launch OBS and go to “File > General > Open Settings Folder.”
• Now exit the app and delete all the cached files from the Settings Folder.

Note: This will reset the OBS audio to the default settings.

Final Words

To sum it up, it is really important to get rid of the desktop audio not working OBS glitch if you want to have a smooth streaming and recording experience. Luckily, there are six easy solutions to help you get your audio back on track. You can double-check that you’ve chosen the right audio source, make some adjustments to your mixer settings, or troubleshoot any potential conflicts with drivers and configurations. So go ahead and give them a try! You’ll be able to create awesome content with OBS in no time! And if nothing seems to work, Gemoo Recorder Lite is there to save the day!