6 Ways to Fix OBS Keeps Crashing on Windows

Quick Tips

• Outdated software can cause crashes. Make sure you’re running the latest version of OBS.
• Outdated graphics drivers can cause crashes. Update them for optimal performance.
• Turn off the firewall to check if it’s blocking OBS.
• Set OBS to run in compatibility mode for your Windows version.

Preliminary Fixes

• Run OBS Studio as Administrator: If OBS crashes on startup, it’s best to give it a shot by giving the app an administrative privilege. When you run a program as an administrator, Windows will share the necessary resources to run it without any issues.
• Turn off Windows Firewall Temporarily: Windows Firewall prevents certain suspicious programs from running. Unfortunately, Windows Firewall might have mistaken OBS for a threat. You can fix this issue by disabling the Windows Firewall.
• Disable and Re-Enable Your Dedicated GPU: OBS depends on your system GPU to work properly. Hence, if OBS crashes on startup, it’s best to disable and re-enable your system’s GPU.
• Update Windows: It’s always best to update Windows as it will ensure improved system stability and improve app compatibility, as all apps are optimized well for the latest version of the OS.

Fix 1: Install the Latest Graphics Driver for Your GPU

OBS uses the graphic drivers in your system, and if there are any issues related to these drivers, you will see the ‘Whoops, OBS has crashed’ message. You can easily fix this by updating the graphics driver.

Step 1: Click on the Start icon, type Device Manager, and open it.

Step 2: Expand Display adapters > Right-click on your GPU, and select Update driver.

Fix 2: Change OBS Compatibility

Step 1: Right-click the OBS icon on your desktop and choose Properties.

Step 2: Choose the Compatibility tab and check the box next to Run the program in compatibility mode.

Step 3: From here, choose a Windows version > click Apply to make the changes and try to run OBS.

Continue to change the Windows version and see which one works for you.

Fix 3: Delete Third-Party Plugins

OBS allows the installation of plugins to add or tweak specific settings or features. If you use any defective plugin, you will see OBS not opening.

Step 1: Close OBS and then open the File Explorer.

Step 2: Navigate to the obs-studio folder and open it.

Tip: If you haven’t changed the download location, the app data will be located inside the Program Files located inside the Local Disk (C).

Step 3: Open the obs-plugins and then, double-click on the 64bit folder.

Step 4: Now, delete the DLL files you want to remove from OBS.

Fix 4: Disable Background Third-Party Apps

Similar to the plugins, there are also third-party apps that can make OBS crash. Hence, it’s best to disable these apps running in the background.

Step 1: Open Settings > Navigate to Apps and click Installed apps.

Step 2: Locate the app you wish to disable > click the three-dot menu next to it and select Advanced options.

Step 3: Under Background apps permissions, use the drop-down menu and choose Never.

If this didn’t fix the issue, may be the next fix will resolve the issue, continue reading.

Fix 5: Reinstall OBS Studio

Step 1: Open Settings > Apps and select Installed apps.

Step 2: Click the three dots next to OBS and select Uninstall.

Step 3: Choose Uninstall to confirm.

Once uninstalled, you can install OBS and run the downloaded setup file.

Fix 6: Perform Clean Boot

Clean boot boots the system with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This will help you determine if any background programs are interfering with OBS when you run it normally.

Step 1: Open the administrative account on Windows.

Step 2: Click on the start icon, type msconfig, and open System Configuration.

Step 3: Select Services and enable Hide all Microsoft services.

Step 4: Choose Disable all.

Step 5: Click Apply to confirm.

Step 5: Now, go to the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.

Step 6: Here, select each item and click Disable. Ensure to look at all the items you have turned off to enable the services later if required.

Step 7: Close the Task Manager and select OK.

Once done, restart your system and check if you are facing the issue.

We hope the methods mentioned in this guide helped fix the OBS crashing issue on your PC. So, go ahead and use OBS without any problems.