How to Fix FPS Drops in OBS for Smooth Streaming

Are you tired of those frustrating FPS drops ruining your streaming or recording experience on OBS? This comprehensive guide dives into all the nitty-gritty details of fixing OBS dropping frames, walking you through optimizing your system settings, managing your GPU usage, and tweaking your OBS configuration. Whether it’s fine-tuning your encoding settings, dealing with resource-intensive apps, or ensuring your drivers are up to date, we have got you covered.

So, whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, say hello to smooth frame rates and a top-notch streaming journey!

Why Do I Lose FPS when OBS Streaming/Recording?

If you’re losing FPS while OBS is streaming or recording, it could be due to many reasons. Some plausible causes for OBS dropping frames are:

1. Background Applications

When you have too many resource-intensive applications running at the same time as OBS, your system’s performance can take a hit. This means that you might experience lower FPS, and nobody wants that!

2. Incorrect Encoding Settings

OBS dropping frames can also be due to incorrect or demanding encoding settings. These settings can put a strain on your hardware, which can ultimately affect your streaming experience.

3. Bitrate and Network

Setting a higher bitrate than your network can handle may cause it to lag. This ultimately leads to FPS drops as OBS struggles to maintain a smooth connection. Besides, if your internet connection is not fast enough, it can cause dropped frames.

4. GPU Utilization

If your graphics card is already handling other tasks, like gaming, it can be one of the main reasons for OBS dropping frames. The app might struggle to access enough GPU power, resulting in reduced FPS.

5. Outdated Drivers

If you haven’t updated your graphic drivers in a while, it can hinder OBS from performing at its optimal level.

6. Hardware Limitations

If your computer’s hardware is not powerful enough to handle both gaming and streaming/recording simultaneously, you may encounter FPS drops.

Regardless of what might be the root cause of OBS dropping frames, NOW we have some quick fixes up our sleeves!

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How to Fix OBS Dropping Frames

Check Your System Resources

OBS uses a lot of CPU and GPU resources as we mentioned; therefore, if your computer is not powerful enough, the system resources are maxed out, which can reduce the resources available for OBS, causing you to lose FPS during OBS streaming or recording.

To check your system resources and fix OBS dropping frames, here’s what to do:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
2. Look at the CPU and GPU usage. If either of these is maxed out, your computer is not powerful enough to stream or record with OBS.
3. Select the tasks that are taking up the most resources and end them by clicking on “End Task” at the top-right corner.

2. Lower Bitrate

The bitrate refers to the amount of data sent per second while streaming or recording. It directly affects the quality of the video and the amount of data your network can handle.

Therefore, lowering the bitrate in OBS is an important step to keep frame OBS dropping frames. It prevents network overloading and buffering and helps maintain a stable streaming or recording experience.

Steps to Lower Bitrate on OBS:

1. Launch OBS and go to “File > Settings > Output.”
2. Now set a bitrate appropriate for your internet speed, such as 3000-6000 Kbps for 720p resolution.
3. Click “Ok” to save the settings.

3. Use a Wired Internet Connection

As we mentioned earlier, an unstable network connection can drop frames and lower FPS; therefore, if you are using a Wi-Fi network, try switching to a wired network.

Why is this important?

Because a wired connection is much speedier and more reliable than a Wi-Fi network. Plus, it has a lower latency, which is necessary for activities that require real-time communication, such as gaming and video conferencing.

4. Adjust Encoder Settings

The encoder is responsible for compressing and encoding the video data before sending it to your streaming platform or recording it to your local storage. Therefore, it is important to adjust the encoder settings directly, as it impacts how much processing power your CPU or GPU uses to encode the video.

Incorrect settings can lead to high resource usage, causing frame drops, stuttering, or even crashes.

Steps to Adjust Encoder Settings

1. Launch OBS, and go to “File > Settings > Output.”
2. Click on “Encoder” to access the drop-down menu with several options like “Software (x264),” “Hardware (NVENC),” or “Hardware (AMD).
3. Select the x264 software encoder; you will see an option called “Encoder Preset.” Set it to “Faster” or “Very Fast.”
4. Click “Apply” to save the encoder settings.

5. Update Graphic Drivers

Updating GPU drivers is vital to maintain optimal performance and can help prevent issues like OBS dropping frames. These drivers act as a bridge between your graphics card and your operating system.

They directly influence how your graphics card interacts with applications, including OBS. Therefore, updating them is important to avoid various problems, including reduced performance, compatibility issues, and even crashes.

Steps How to Update Graphic Drivers

1. Identify your graphic card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), and download the graphic drivers from their respective websites.
2. Now open Device Manager on your PC from the start menu.
3. Click on Display Adapters and right-click on the driver.
4. Choose Update Driver.
5. Then restart your computer for the changes to take place.

6. Increase OBS Priority

It’s not uncommon for your computer to have multiple programs running simultaneously, causing them to compete for resources. If you’re using OBS to stream or record content, it’s essential to ensure that it has the necessary resources to function smoothly.

One effective way to accomplish this is by increasing the program’s priority level. This is essential as it helps minimize any potential interruptions or technical glitches during your streaming or recording sessions.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to increase OBS priority:

Step 1. Launch the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.

Step 2. Scroll to OBS, right-click on it, and select “Go to Details.”

Step 3. You will see a highlighted OBS process in the list. Right-click on it, select “Set Priority,” and set it to “Above Normal” or “High.”

7. Adjust Buffer Settings

Buffers act like little reservoirs that hold a bit of your video data before it’s sent over the network. The buffer size determines how much data is stored before being sent out, helping to smooth out variations in network performance.

Therefore, adjusting buffer settings in OBS is essential to help you maintain a stable streaming or recording experience and prevent issues like dropped frames or stuttering.

Steps to Adjust Buffer Settings in OBS:

1. Launch OBS, and go to “File > Settings > Advanced.”
2. Scroll down to “Network” and set the buffering settings to a number more than 700ms.
3. Click “Apply” to save the new settings.

These were the 7 ways to fix OBS dropping frames. However, if you’re using OBS to live stream to Twitch and face the same issue, how should you go about it?

What to Do if Twitch Dropped Frames

Twitch is one of the most popular live-streaming platforms in the world. It was originally designed to allow users to broadcast themselves playing video games, but it quickly expanded to include other types of content, such as music, creative, and “in real life” streams.

OBS has a built-in option to stream directly to Twitch. So, if Twitch starts dropping frames during a live streaming session, here are a few things you can do:

1. Try Different Broadcast Servers

Twitch offers multiple ingest servers around the world, and selecting the right one can minimize latency and reduce the chances of dropped frames. The ingest server you choose determines the path your streaming data takes from your computer to Twitch’s servers. Therefore, pick a different server that’s geographically close to you to fix dropping frames.

2. Restart Your Stream

There’s a possibility that Twitch or OBS might be acting up due to a software glitch. Therefore, try restarting your stream if you notice Twitch dropping frames.

3. Reset Your Router

If Twitch is dropping frames, it could be due to some issues with your modem or router. Over time, these devices can gather temporary data, run into software glitches, or get bogged down by network congestion. But don’t worry! You can easily fix these problems by restarting them. This will give you a fresh, stable connection to enjoy.

Now that you know what to do in case OBS and Twitch drop frames, let’s answer a very common user query…

How Many Dropped Frames Are Acceptable?

So, the number of dropped frames that’s okay really depends on what you’re doing in your stream and what your viewers are expecting. Let’s break it down:

• For fast, interactive games where split-second reactions matter, keep the dropped frames close to zero.
• For things like podcasts, talk shows, or just hanging out a bit more ]room is okay. Try to stay under 5% dropped frames.
• If you’re showing off images or slides, a few dropped frames might not significantly impact the viewing experience. Therefore, keep it under 10% for a smoother experience.

I hope this rundown helps you understand the gist of dropped frames and how they can affect different types of streaming content.

Conclusion

To sum it up, solving those annoying FPS drops in OBS is a must for any content creator!

With our guide, you’ve got a number of reliable fixes to tackle the issue head-on. From adjusting settings to optimizing your setup and going for the faithful Ethernet cable, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a streaming newbie or a seasoned pro, these solutions will run your stream smoothly.

Your content deserves the spotlight, and we’re here to make sure it shines bright. Let’s keep those frames steady and your audience delighted!