How to Fix OBS Recording Lagging

You’re in the middle of an epic gaming session, crushing your enemies in virtual worlds. The adrenaline is pumping, and you can’t wait to share your triumphs with the world. You fire up OBS Studio to record your gameplay, only to be greeted by the dreaded lag monster.

Your excitement plummets as you watch your smooth moves turn into a jittery mess. But fear not, intrepid gamer! In this guide, we’ll unveil the secrets to defeating the lag beast and reclaiming your gaming glory!

Let’s dive in and level up your recording and streaming skills! Starting with the lagging reason.

Why is OBS Studio Lagging when Recording or Streaming?

OBS needs no lengthy introduction because you’ve probably heard of this innovative tool. With OBS, you can stream, create virtual cameras, and even record using your webcam. And that’s not all! The list of features goes on, from adding new sound sources to fine-tuning your audio.

Due to its many features, the popular software can sometimes be glitchy or laggy. Unfortunately, this lag can negatively impact the quality of your recordings. Additionally, other factors contribute to the laggy experience while recording with OBS.

Let’s delve into other factors that contribute to OBS recording lag.

1. Overloaded device

The first and most common reason behind OBS lag is the performance of your device. Sometimes, your device may struggle especially when heavy applications run simultaneously.

OBS can lead to lag issues when combined with resource-intensive games or applications. So, if you find OBS lagging while playing a game, it’s because both OBS and the game demand high performance. And your device might have a hard time handling it all.

2. Network latency

The second cause of OBS lag is network latency. This is a familiar challenge for live streamers streaming with OBS. Network latency occurs due to message delays between your device and the server. If your device’s performance is not the issue, then network problems might be the one.

Now that we understand why OBS Studio lags, let’s dive into the solutions to fix these pesky issues.

How to Fix OBS Recording Lag?

Learn how to stop OBS recording lag and make perfect videos without interruptions! Discover effective methods here.

1. Fix your hardware

When tackling OBS lag, pay attention to your hardware! Sometimes, a faulty Ethernet cable or router can meddle with your video playback. Check for any open or damaged components, and fix or replace them to get OBS running seamlessly again.

2. Swap wireless for an ethernet connection

Wireless connections can be tricky and unstable. If your wireless internet is causing issues, try switching to a more reliable option. Turn off your computer’s WiFi and connect it directly to the router via cable. Most streamers prefer wired connections because they provide stable network connections.

3. Lower the Amount of Bitrate

Streamers also opt for a higher bitrate to boost video quality, which can cause dropped frames. Too many dropped frames may result in OBS recording lag. To avoid this, try reducing the bitrate. This will prevent dropped frames and keep your stream running smoothly. Choose this fix only when you can’t fix network issues.

4. Optimize the Security and Firewall of Your Device

If you’re still facing OBS lag and streaming issues despite a strong internet connection, it’s time to check your security software. Sometimes, it can interfere with smooth video playback. Consider uninstalling it temporarily or adjusting your system’s firewall settings if it’s causing OBS recording lags.

Follow the step-by-step guide to turn off your Firewall.

Step 1. Click on the Windows icon (Start) at the bottom left of your desktop (the flag icon), then click on Settings (the gear icon).

Step 2. In Settings, go to Update & Security and navigate to Windows Security.

Step 3. Look for Firewall & network protection, and choose a network setting.

Step 4. Find Microsoft Defender Firewall and turn it off temporarily. Don’t forget to turn it back on once you’ve resolved the OBS lag issue.

5. Customize the Settings in OBS

Customizing OBS settings for your specific device is crucial to avoid lag during recording. Each device has unique performance capabilities, so tweaking OBS settings becomes essential. Experiment with other configurations until you find the perfect setup that keeps OBS running smoothly without any lag.

Read on to learn more about settings for OBS that are recommended for beginners.

Recommended Articles: How to Fix FPS Drops in OBS for Smooth Streaming >

How to Optimize OBS for Recording?

You can unlock the true potential of OBS by “optimizing” its settings! Well, there are many different guidelines you can find online. So, explore various configurations until you discover what works best for your setup. For starters, follow this simple guide:

Step 1. Launch OBS, navigate to the Settings window, and head to the “Output” tab.

Step 2. Select the Output Mode to “Simple.”

Step 3. Choose “Software (X264)” as the Video Encoder.

Step 4. Now set Recording Quality to “Indistinguishable Quality.” which results in a large file size.

Step 5. Lastly, change the Recording Format to “Flash Video (.flv).”

Try these settings and refine them until you reach the ultimate OBS performance!

Now the recording issue is sorted. Let’s head to the next session, where we will fix the laggy video after recording.

Fix Laggy/Choppy Video after Recording the Game

If you encounter laggy or choppy video playback after recording a game, it may indicate a playback rather than a recording problem. Try the following solutions:

• Update to the Latest Windows Version. Keeping your Windows operating system up-to-date can work wonders for video playback. Updates often include performance gains and bug fixes, ensuring smoother OBS recording.
• Match the Sample Rate of Your Audio Devices. Mismatched audio sample rates can lead to audio syncing issues, causing video lag. Make sure the sample rates of all your audio devices are consistent to avoid any problems during playback.
• Use a Different Video Player. Sometimes, your video player might not be fully compatible with your recorded video. Try playing the videotape in another media player to see if the lag issue persists. You might find that switching players resolves the problem.
• Update Codecs and Drivers. Just like your games get regular updates, your video codecs and graphics card drivers need some love too! Outdated codecs can lead to playback problems. Keep them up-to-date to ensure smooth video playback.
• Check Video Resolution and Settings. Mismatched video resolution and settings can cause your video to appear laggy. Double-check that your video player settings match the resolution and encoding of the recorded video. This easy adjustment can make a major difference in eliminating lag.

Now we’re left with our last scenario; OBS recording lags while the game remains unaffected. Read on to discover why this happens and how to address the specific issue.

OBS Recording Lags, but Game Doesn’t?

When you play a game on your computer, the resources are primarily allocated to ensure the game runs smoothly. However, when you add a recording or streaming software like OBS into the mix, there’s now an additional demand on the system’s resources. Even if your game runs smoothly.

But fear not! Let’s dig into some possible solutions.

1. Adjust CPU Priority

One way to tackle the laggy recording issue is to change the OBS Studio settings. Try increasing the CPU priority from “Normal” to “Above Normal” or “High.” This gives OBS more processing power and solves the lag problem.

2. Run OBS as Administrator

OBS Studio has a cool feature (since version 24.0.3) that reduces lag when your game’s FPS fluctuates. To access it, run OBS as an administrator. Sometimes, this simple tweak can work wonders.

3. NVENC Settings

If you’re using NVENC for encoding, check if certain features like lookahead and psycho-visual tuning are turned on. These additions might use more GPU resources, leading to laggy recording. Turn them off and use primary or high profiles instead of baseline for better results.

By trying out these straightforward fixes, you can bid farewell to OBS recording lag and focus on capturing your gaming triumphs without hiccups. Keep experimenting, and soon you’ll have seamless and stunning recordings to share!

Conclusion

OBS recording lag can be a frustrating hindrance to content creators and gamers. Following the information and solutions in this guide, you can optimize OBS settings and troubleshoot issues to achieve smooth and seamless video capture.

Remember to regularly update drivers, close unnecessary applications, and tailor OBS settings to your system’s capabilities. With these adjustments, you can focus on creating captivating content without the distraction of recording lag.