OBS High CPU Usage
Last updated: September 1, 2026
"Encoding overloaded" means the encoder cannot finish a frame before the next one arrives. Something has to give: resolution, frame rate, preset, or the encoder itself.
Move encoding to the GPU
Switching from x264 to NVENC, AMF or Quick Sync frees most of a CPU core budget at a small quality cost. On any modern GPU this is the first change to make when the same machine is also running a game.
Relax the x264 preset
If you must stay on x264, move the preset from medium or fast toward veryfast. Slower presets buy quality with CPU time you may not have.
Lower output resolution or frame rate
Encoding at 1080p60 costs roughly four times as much as 720p30. Scaling the output to 1600x900 or 1280x720, or dropping to 30 fps for desktop content, ends most overload messages immediately.
Trim expensive sources
Browser sources, many active filters and unnecessary scene items all cost frame time. Remove what is not on screen, and disable preview when you do not need to see it.
Hardware guidance is on the system requirements page and baseline values on the settings page.