How to Fix OBS Not Capturing Game (Black Screen) - 12 Workable Solutions

OBS Studio has become a go-to tool for gamers looking to record and stream their epic gameplay moments. But even the most powerful tools can have hiccups.

Sometimes, you might fire up OBS, ready to capture your next masterpiece, only to be met with a dreaded black screen where your game should be.

This comprehensive guide will equip you with 12 tried-and-tested solutions to troubleshoot OBS not capturing game and unveil a fantastic alternative screen recorder if OBS keeps failing to capture your game.

Main Reasons for OBS Not Capturing Game Issue

The frustration of a black screen in OBS when you're ready to capture your gameplay can be real. But before diving into fixes, let's explore some common culprits behind the problem “why is OBS not capturing my game”:

• Incompatible game with OBS: Certain games might have anti-cheat software or other features conflicting with OBS.
• OBS settings are not properly configured: Maybe your capture mode isn't set properly, or you haven't selected the right game process.
• Conflicting software: Overlays, FPS counters, or other programs can sometimes interfere with OBS's capture abilities.
• Game mode issues: Windows 10/11's Game Mode might prioritize smooth gameplay over OBS functionality, causing capture problems.
• Graphics settings: If OBS doesn't have access to the necessary graphics resources, it might not be able to capture your game.

12 Fixes to OBS Not Capturing Game (Black Screen, Not Working)

Since you’ve identified the common reasons behind OBS not capturing game video, let's dive into its solutions to how to fix OBS not capturing game. Here are 12 fixes to troubleshoot OBS not capturing game whether in one click or step by step :

What Can You Do If OBS Not Capturing Game?

Fix 1. Check the Game Compatibility

Fix 2. Configure OBS Game Capture Settings

Fix 3. Choose Game Capture with a Specific Window

Fix 4. Run OBS as Administrator

Fix 5. Switch GPU on OBS

Fix 6. Turn off Other Conflicting Software

Fix 7. Enable the Compatibility Mode

Fix 8. Disable Game Mode

Fix 9. Change Graphics Preference Settings

Fix 10. Disable Game Capture

Fix 11. Restart OBS/Update New Version

Fix 12. Use an OBS Alternative 

Fix 1. Check the Game Compatibility

Some games have anti-cheat software or other features that can clash with OBS. Here's what to do:

Solution: Head to the OBS forums or the game's support page. Search for any known compatibility issues between the two. If you find something, there might be a workaround or update available.

Fix 2. Configure OBS Game Capture Settings

Double-check your OBS settings to ensure everything is configured correctly. Here's how to fix OBS game capture black screen:

Solution: In OBS, navigate to the "Sources" section and right-click on your "Game Capture" source (if you've added one). Select "Properties." Here, you can verify the "Mode" (e.g., "Capture specific window") and ensure you've chosen the correct game process from the dropdown menu.

Fix 3. Choose Game Capture with a Specific Window

Full screen capture of OBS may interfere with recording, so try using "Game Capture" with "Capture specific window" selected. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: In OBS, click the "+" button under the "Sources" section and choose "Game Capture."

Step 2: Give your capture a name and leave the "Mode" set to "Capture specific window."

Step 3: Click "OK" and then select the game window from the dropdown menu. This forces OBS to capture only the specific game window, even if it's in fullscreen mode. So OBS not capturing full screen game can be a help in this case.

Fix 4. Run OBS as Administrator

Sometimes, OBS requires administrator privileges to properly capture games. Here's how to Switch from the compatibility mode to the administrator mode:

Step 1: Right click on the OBS icon on the desktop and select "Properties."

Step 2: Click on the "Compatibility" tab.

Step 3: Check the box labeled "Run this program as an administrator" and click "OK." Now, try launching OBS again and see if it captures your game.

Fix 5. Switch GPU on OBS

Sometimes, OBS won’t capture a game because it’s using the wrong graphics processing unit (GPU). If your game is running on a high-performance GPU (which makes it look smoother, and more crisp) and OBS is set to capture your computer’s integrated graphics (a lower-performance GPU), then the software won’t capture your gameplay. You can fix this by changing your computer’s GPU setting:

Step 1: Go to Start and navigate to Settings > Display > Graphics (if you’re running Windows 11, this will be labeled Advanced Graphics).

Step 2: From the list of apps, choose OBS Studio and then go to Options.

Step 3: Choose High performance to ensure that OBS is set to capture your game’s GPU.

Step 4: Click Save to implement the change.

Fix 6. Turn off Other Conflicting Software

Certain software programs, like overlays or FPS counters, can interfere with OBS's capture abilities. Here's what to do:

Solution: Temporarily disable any overlays, FPS counters, or other potentially conflicting software you might be running in the background. A common culprit can be other streaming or video capture applications. Here's how to check your Task Manager and disable them:

Open the Task Manager by holding Ctrl + Shift + Esc or typing Task Manager into the Search bar.

Look through the list of programs running on your computer. Right-click and select End Task on any apps that perform a video capture or streaming function similar to OBS.

Fix 7. Enable the Compatibility Mode

For older games, enabling compatibility mode for OBS might help troubleshoot OBS not capturing game. Here's how:

Step 1: Right-click on the OBS Studio shortcut and select "Properties."

Step 2: Click on the "Compatibility" tab.

Step 3: Under "Compatibility mode," choose an older operating system from the dropdown menu. Try running OBS in this mode and see if it captures your game.

Fix 8. Disable Game Mode 

Windows 10 and 11's Game Mode optimizes your system for gaming but can conflict with OBS. Disabling it can help OBS capture your game properly. Here's a detailed guide:

Step 1: Open Settings (Gear icon in Start Menu).

Step 2: Click on "Gaming."

Step 3: Toggle the switch for "Game Mode" to "Off."

Also Read: How to Record BIGO Live Without Black Screen on PC & Mobile >>

Fix 9. Change Graphics Preference Settings

If OBS isn't capturing your game, it might be using the wrong graphics card. Here's how to set OBS to use your high-performance GPU for capturing:

Step 1: Go to Settings > Display > Graphics (Advanced Graphics in Windows 11)

Step 2: Find OBS Studio in the list, click "Options." Choose "High performance" and save.

This ensures OBS uses the best graphics card for capturing your game, potentially fixing the black screen issue.

Fix 10. Disable Game Capture

While it might seem counterintuitive, sometimes temporarily disabling and re-enabling the Game Capture source in OBS can resolve capture issues. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: In OBS, right-click on your "Game Capture" source and select "Disable."

Step 2: Right-click again on the disabled "Game Capture" source and select "Enable."

This quick refresh can sometimes fix glitches or errors preventing OBS from capturing your game.

Fix 11. Restart OBS/Update New Version

A simple restart of OBS can sometimes resolve temporary glitches that might be preventing it from capturing your game. Additionally, updating to the latest version of OBS ensures you have any bug fixes or improvements that might address capture issues.

Fix 12. Use an OBS Alternative

If you're still facing trouble capturing your game with OBS, there are some user-friendly alternatives available. One option is iTop Screen Recorder, a free screen recording program designed for Windows PCs and especially a screen recorder Windows 10.

Here's why iTop Screen Recorder can be a great alternative:

100% Free to Capture Gameplay Windows: Unlike some OBS alternatives, iTop Screen Recorder is completely free to use, with no sign-ups or subscriptions required.

Flexible OBS Alternative to Capture Game: Similar to OBS, iTop offers a variety of recording options. You can choose to capture your full screen, a specific window (4:3, 16:9), or a custom area to record part of screen.

Excellent Game Mode Screen Recording: As a HD screen recorder, iTop boasts an exclusive "Game Mode" designed specifically for capturing gameplay. The Game mode ensures you a high-resolution video recording, and supports for 4K UHD and 1080p at 60fps quality.

Record Game Videos with Webcam & Audio: Like OBS, iTop allows you to record your game footage along with your webcam and audio. You can choose to record microphone audio, system sounds, or both, depending on your needs.

Change Voice in Game Capturing Video with AI: A unique feature of iTop is the ability to change your voice during recording with various AI effects.

Built-in Video Editor: iTop goes a step beyond simple capture by offering a built-in video editor. This tell you how to clip on PC to for your recordings, trim unwanted sections, and add basic edits like text overlays to create highlight clips of your gameplay.

How to Fix OBS Game Capture Black Screen with Best Alternative

iTop Screen Recorder offers a free and user-friendly alternative to capture your gameplay smoothly, also guides you how to screen record protected videos for gaming. Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Step 1: Download and install iTop Screen Recorder.

Step 2: Launch iTop Screen Recorder and choose the "Game" capture mode.

Step 3: iTop will automatically detect your game window. Click the red "REC" button to start capturing your gameplay!

iTop Screen Recorder offers various recording options and settings you can explore to customize your gameplay capture. With its powerful free features, iTop is a great solution to resolve OBS not capturing game.

Also Read: [Fixed] How to Troubleshoot Xbox Game Bar not Working on Windows 11/10 >>

Extra Tips to Solve OBS Not Capturing a Specific Game

Even after trying the general fixes, OBS might still struggle with specific games. Here are some additional tips for specific culprits:

Game 1: Destiny 2

Solution: Try disabling "Window Capture" and see if switching to "Game Capture" helps OBS detect it.

Game 2: Valorant

Solution: Valorant's anti-cheat might conflict with OBS. Run OBS in "Administrator mode" (right-click the shortcut and select "Run as administrator") and see if that resolves the issue.

Game 3: Minecraft: Java Edition

Solution: Mojang's launcher can sometimes cause problems. Refer to the official OBS guide for Minecraft capture:

Game 4: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Solution: Unlike Destiny 2, CS:GO might require "Window Capture" for OBS to recognize it.

Game 5: Call of Duty

Solution: Similar to Valorant, Call of Duty's anti-cheat might require running OBS in "Administrator mode."

OBS vs. iTop Screen Recorder (Which One is Better?) 

Both OBS Studio and iTop Screen Recorder are capable of capturing your gameplay, but they cater to different needs:

OBS Studio:

• Pros: Free, highly customizable, powerful features for advanced users, large community and support resources.
• Cons: Steeper learning curve, requires more configuration, might have compatibility issues with specific games.

iTop Screen Recorder:

• Pros: Free, easy to set up, game recording software no watermark, built-in video editor for basic clipping, good performance for capturing games.
• Cons: Lacks the advanced features and customization options of OBS, might not be ideal for complex editing projects.

For most gamers who simply want to capture and share gameplay footage without wrestling with complex settings, iTop Screen Recorder offers a free and user-friendly solution. It's particularly well-suited for those who want to easily clip and edit their gameplay highlights.

The Bottom Line

Encountering a black screen with OBS can be frustrating, but fear not, gamer! This blog has equipped you with 12 solutions to troubleshoot OBS not capturing games and introduced a super alternative to it: iTop Screen Recorder. Replace OBS with this powerful tool to record games without black screen.