Easy Guide: Fix Issue “OBS not Capturing Game” (2024)

Do you often encounter the frustration of pressing the record button on OBS, only to discover that your game footage is inexplicably missing? Do not worry, as this guide will thoroughly explore the typical and easy fixes for “OBS not capturing game”.

Whether you happen to be a seasoned gamer, or creator of videos looking to share your gaming experiences, this guide will give you the essential steps to efficiently resolve any problems you could come across.

We shall look over the technical components of OBS's erratic behavior and offer you efficient solutions that will guarantee the game you're playing captures function smoothly on any given day.

Part 1. Overview: Reasons Why “OBS Not Capturing Game”Part 2. Best Tool to Capture Gameplay without Any IssuesPart 3. Ways on How to Fix Issue “OBS not Capturing Game”Part 4. FAQsConclusion

Part 1. Overview: Reasons Why “OBS Not Capturing Game”

Prior to exploring possible solutions, it is crucial to totally comprehend the core cause of the issue. The issue of why OBS not capturing game arises from the following factors:

1. Game not running in full screen mode.
2. Incompatible game or outdated game capture settings
3. Conflicts with other software overlays or anti-cheat programs
4. OBS not running with administrative privileges
5. Graphics driver issues or outdated drivers
6. Incorrect OBS settings for game capture
7. Game-specific limitations or restrictions on capturing

Part 2. Best Tool to Capture Gameplay without Any Issues

FoneDog Screen Recorder stands out as the premier tool for capturing gameplay seamlessly. It offers unparalleled reliability and versatility across Windows and Mac devices. With its intuitive interface, users can effortlessly record gameplay without encountering any issues.

The software provides options for capturing screen content and incorporating audio, ensuring a comprehensive recording experience. FoneDog Screen Recorder's robust features and user-friendly design make it the top choice for hassle-free gameplay capture.

Free Download For Windows Free Download For normal Macs Free Download For M1, M2, M3

How to Capture Gameplay Easily:

1. Begin by installing and activating FoneDog Screen Recorder on either the Windows or Mac computer.
2. Open FoneDog Screen Recorder on the device. Navigate to the main interface and select the "Video Recorder" feature. Choose "Screen Only" to exclusively capture the screen's contents.
3. Decide whether to include audio into the recording. Select "System Sound & Microphone" to incorporate both system and microphone audio.
4. Initiate the recording process by clicking on "Start Recording". If opting for "Window" capture, select the desired window from the available list.
5. While recording, utilize the "Edit" button to select annotation colors. To conclude the recording, click on the red stop button, saving the file on the device.
6. Utilize the "Pause" button to halt the recording as needed and resume when necessary. Click "Restart" to discard previous recordings and start anew.

Part 3. Ways on How to Fix Issue “OBS not Capturing Game”

If encountering difficulties with OBS's inability to capture games, a common frustration among gamers attempting to record or stream gameplay, don't lose hope. With OBS, the potential is vast. Don't allow game-capture setbacks to hinder your exploration of its capabilities. Below are multiple solutions for resolving the "OBS Not Capturing Game" issue.

Way 1. Activate the compatibility mode

The game capture may not be visible in OBS due to compatibility issues with the operating system. To troubleshoot and resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Make sure to right click onto the "OBS.exe" and after which select on option "Properties".
2. Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
3. Following there, must locate the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" option right within the dropdown menu below which then containing various operating systems.
4. After that, check the box next to this option and ensure the correct OS is selected. For example, whether using Windows 7, choose "Windows 7" right within the dropdown menu.
5. Thereafter, test recording the gameplay again to check if OBS is now functioning properly.

Way 2. Restarting either OBS Studio or the game

Sometimes, this simple action resolves the issue of OBS not capturing game. It stands out as one of the simplest and most effective solutions compared to other troubleshooting methods.

Way 3. Verify Graphics Card

Certain configurations on your graphics card might hinder OBS's ability to capture games accurately. Inspect your graphics card settings and ensure OBS has permission to capture games. Disable any potentially conflicting settings. Here's how with NVIDIA:

1. To get started, just simply right click on the desktop and choose "NVIDIA Control Panel" right within the options available.
2. Within the NVIDIA Control Panel, make sure to navigate towards "Manage 3D settings" right under the 3D Settings segment.
3. From there, select the "Program Settings" tab.
4. Following that, right into the dropdown menu, press upon the labeled "select a program to customize" option, and from that pick "OBS Studio" or perhaps the game that will be intend to capture.
5. If OBS Studio isn't visible, hit on option "Add", afterwards ensure to locate the OBS Studio executable file as well as those include it right within the list.

Way 4. Change or Update the DirectX

If you're asking yourself, "What's preventing OBS from recording my game?" for a particular game that operates smoothly with others, the problem could lie with DirectX. Titles utilizing DirectX 12, such as Fortnite, might crash during recording due to graphic API frame issues.

Check your game's settings for the DirectX 11 API option. If available, switch to DirectX 11 to see if it resolves the OBS black screen issue.

Way 5. Execute game using Full-screen option

Occasionally, OBS might encounter difficulties while attempting to capture a previous game due to its inability to establish a connection with the game. One possible resolution to this scenario would be to attempt executing the game again in full-screen presented mode as a means of rectifying the issue. Subsequently, you have the ability to expeditiously transition to full-screen presented mode by accessing the display settings within your game.

Way 6. Turn off the Game Bar

Game Bar, a Windows 10 feature, may disrupt game capture. To disable Game Bar, navigate to "Settings", select "Gaming", then choose "Game Bar", and finally toggle the switch to "Off".

Way 7. Turning off Chrome Hardware Acceleration

At times, a game may not be detected or gameplay recording may fail due to enabled hardware acceleration in Chrome. To disable it, make sure to have access with Chrome and proceed here:

1. To begin, press upon that three dots which then located within top right part of the chrome browser window and from there, choose on option "Settings".
2. After which, press on option that implies to "Advanced" and navigate towards the option "System".
3. Ensure that the "Use hardware acceleration when available" option was indeed switched off.

Way 8. Shut Down Conflicting Programs

Occasionally, alternate software might disrupt OBS's game-capturing capabilities. To tackle this, attempt shutting down any concurrent software running in the background during your game-capture attempts. This includes antivirus utilities, streaming platforms, and other applications.

Way 9. Verify Windows Configurations

For OBS Game Capture to function properly, specific Windows configurations must be activated.

1. Review the Windows settings by accessing the Control Panel.
2. Navigate to "System and Security". Proceed to press on option "System".
3. After which, within the "Advanced System Settings" tab, opt for "Performance" and press on the option "Settings".
4. Confirm that the "Enable dpi virtualization" option is selected.

Way 10. Obtain Official and Newest OBS Edition

Using an outdated or incorrect OBS version might lead to compatibility problems with newer games. Easily acquire the appropriate edition from the official site to replace your current one. Regularly checking for updates within OBS also proves effective.

Part 4. FAQs

Is there a way to verify if my game is compatible with OBS for capturing?

You can check OBS forums or community resources for compatibility lists or user experiences with your specific game. Additionally, testing OBS with the game yourself is the most reliable method to determine compatibility.

Are there any conflicts between OBS and other software that could be causing game capture issues?

Yes, certain software overlays like Discord, GeForce Experience, or anti-cheat programs can conflict with OBS and prevent it from capturing games properly. Disabling or adjusting settings in these programs may resolve the issue.

Which is preferable for OBS, window or game capture?

Opt for game capture as it solely records the game while leaving desktop clutter out of sight. However, if a game resists capture, resort to window or display capture as alternatives.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, while OBS is a powerful tool for game capture, issues may arise like “OBS not capturing game” due to various factors such as incompatible settings, conflicts with other software, or game-specific limitations.

By troubleshooting these issues systematically and considering alternative capture methods or tools like FoneDog Screen Recorder when necessary, users can overcome obstacles and achieve successful game recording. Overall, patience, diligence, and a willingness to adapt are essential for ensuring smooth gameplay capture with OBS.

Free Download For Windows Free Download For normal Macs Free Download For M1, M2, M3