OBS Audio Not Working: 8 Proven Fixes for Desktop Sound Issues

Learn how to fix OBS audio not working issues with 8 effective methods. Restore desktop sound in your OBS recordings quickly.

Have you ever recorded or streamed using OBS only to discover there was no desktop audio? You're not alone. Many OBS users, especially beginners, frequently face the issue of "OBS audio not working." Whether you're gaming, podcasting, or recording a tutorial, this problem can disrupt your entire session. In this article, we'll walk you through the common causes and practical fixes behind the desktop audio not working OBS issue!

Why Isn't Desktop Audio Working on OBS?

Before diving into the fixes, it's important to understand the possible causes behind OBS Studio no sound.

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Effective Ways to Fix OBS Desktop Audio Not Working

Now that we've identified the common causes, let's move on to solutions you can implement immediately to OBS record desktop audio.

Method 1: Check the System Volume Mixer for Muted OBS

🔍User case: Suitable if you suddenly lose desktop audio after changing your speaker or recording settings.

OBS might be muted in the system's Volume Mixer without you realizing especially for Windows PCs.

🚩How to check the Volume Mixer in OBS:

Step 1. Right-click the speaker icon in the system tray and select "Open volume mixer."

Step 2. Locate OBS in the mixer and ensure it's not muted.

Step 3. Raise the volume level if needed.

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Method 2: Select the Correct Desktop Audio Device in OBS

🔍User case: Useful when your audio settings don't match your output device (headphones, speakers).

If OBS is set to an inactive or incorrect device, it won't capture audio.

🚩How to select the correct audio device in OBS:

Step 1. Open OBS and go to "Settings" > "Audio".

Step 2. Under the "Global Audio Devices" section, choose your active playback device for "Desktop Audio."

Step 3. Click "Apply" and restart OBS.

Method 3: Make Sure Audio Monitoring Isn't Set to Monitor Only

🔍User case: Applies if you can hear the audio live but it's missing from the recorded file.

The "Monitor Only" setting plays audio locally but doesn't include it in recordings or streams.

🚩How to change monitoring settings in OBS:

Step 1. In OBS, go to the "Audio Mixer" and click the "gear" icon next to your audio source.

Step 2. Select "Advanced Audio Properties."

Step 3. Change the "Audio Monitoring" option to "Monitor and Output."

Method 4: Match OBS Sample Rate and Adjust Output Settings

🔍User case: Applies when you see the mixer level move, but still no sound in playback.

Mismatch in sample rate or improper bitrate settings can disrupt audio encoding.

🚩How to match sample rate and fix output settings in OBS:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Audio", then ensure Sample Rate is set to "44.1 kHz" or "48 kHz".

Step 2. Navigate to "Settings" > "Output". Set "Output Mode" to "Simple."

Step 3. Set "Audio Bitrate" to "128" and "Recording Quality" to "Same as stream." Click "Apply" to save changes

Method 5: Update or Reinstall Your Audio Drivers

🔍User case: Best for systems that recently updated OS or hardware.

Outdated or corrupted drivers can block OBS from accessing the system's audio feed.

🚩How to update audio drivers in Windows 10 or 11:

Step 1. Press "Win + X" and select "Device Manager."

Step 2. Expand "Audio inputs and outputs," right-click your audio device, and select "Update driver."

Step 3. Choose "Search automatically for drivers."

Method 6: Restart or Reinstall OBS Studio

🔍User case: Applicable when other fixes don't solve the issue.

Sometimes, a glitch or incomplete update can cause OBS to misbehave.

🚩How to restart/reinstall OBS:

Step 1. Firstly, launch the "Control Panel" and hit "Uninstall a Program under the "Programs" section." You will see a new window for "Programs and Features."

Step 2. Now, search for the "OBS Studio" to checkmark and right-click the program to uninstall.

Step 3. Later, open the official website of OBS to download & install the program again. Make sure the problem is resolved or not.

Method 7: Try an OBS Alternative: EaseUS RecExperts

🔍User case: Ideal for users who need a simpler, more stable recording tool.

If you are unable to fix the desktop audio not working on the OBS Studio problem, the OBS alternative can be your way to go. Among its various efficient alternatives, EaseUS Screen Recorder is the leading solution.

Just like OBS, this software assists you with whether you want to record microphone and computer audio separately or at the same time.

It provides an AI noise reduction feature for high-quality screen recordings without background noise. You can also enjoy a variety of advanced video recording features. These include multi-screens and schedule recording, audio extraction, green screen technology, and many more.

However, it offers a cleaner and simpler-to-use interface for easier workflow than OBS. Even you won't have to face lag or crash problems while recording.

Method 8: Reset OBS Settings to Default (Last Resort)

🔍User case: Recommended when nothing else works and the issue may stem from a corrupted configuration.

Resetting OBS clears misconfigurations and reverts all settings to default.

🚩How to reset OBS settings:

Step 1. In OBS, click "File" > "Show Settings Folder".

Step 2. Exit OBS, then delete all files in the opened folder.

Step 3. Restart OBS, and it will rebuild fresh configuration files.

Final Words

Fixing the OBS audio not working issue may seem frustrating, but it's usually solvable with a few adjustments. Start with the simplest solutions, like unmuting or switching the correct audio device, before diving into resets or reinstallations. If OBS consistently fails, switching to a reliable alternative like EaseUS RecExperts can save your time and sanity.

OBS Desktop Audio Not Working FAQs

Besides presenting an in-depth discussion on the causes and fixes of OBS desktop audio not working, here are some additional questions to answer. Let's look into that!

1. How do I reset my OBS audio?

To reset OBS audio, you must reset all the settings. For this purpose, launch OBS, click File > Show Settings Folder. Now, exit the OBS Studio, and delete all the cached files from the already opened folder. Launch OBS again, and it will be restored to the default settings, including audio.

2. How do I separate desktop audio from mic audio OBS?

You can separate desktop audio from mic audio from OBS advanced settings. Launch OBS Studio, click Settings from the lower right side menu to open the main window. Go to Output, expand its drop-down menu, and select Advanced. Now, choose Recording, and checkmark all 6 tracks for separate audio recordings.

3. Why my PC sound is not working?

The hardware problem behind your PC sound not working is the outdated audio drivers. Update it, and if the issue persists, uninstall it quickly. Though it reinstalls at the moment, you must use a generic audio driver if it still doesn't work after reinstallation. Also, you need to get the speakers checked physically.