How to Record Your Screen With OBS
Last updated: September 1, 2026
This guide takes you from a fresh install to a finished recording on a Windows PC. It assumes nothing beyond having the program open.
1. Create a scene and add a capture source
A scene is a saved layout. In the Sources panel press the plus button and pick the capture that matches what you need:
- Display Capture for the whole monitor. On laptops with switchable graphics, choose the display attached to the GPU that OBS is running on.
- Window Capture for a single program. Set the capture method to Windows 10 (1903 and up) if the preview stays empty.
- Game Capture for full-screen games.
2. Set up audio
Desktop Audio records what comes out of the speakers; Mic/Auxiliary Audio records your microphone. Open Settings → Audio and set both devices explicitly rather than leaving them on Default, which can switch when you plug in a headset.
Speak and play something to confirm both meters move. Keep peaks around -12 dB with headroom to spare, and add a noise suppression filter to the microphone if your room is noisy.
3. Choose the output format and quality
Open Settings → Output and switch Output Mode to Advanced, then open the Recording tab.
- Recording format: MKV while recording, remux to MP4 afterwards.
- Encoder: NVENC, AMF or Quick Sync for low overhead; x264 when quality per megabyte matters most.
- Rate control: CQP around 20–23, or CBR at 20,000 kbps for 1080p60.
- Audio track: track 1 for a simple mix, separate tracks if you want to edit voice and system sound apart.
4. Set resolution and frame rate
In Settings → Video, keep the base canvas at your monitor resolution and set the output resolution to the same value for crisp text. 30 fps is plenty for software tutorials; 60 fps is worth it for gameplay and fast cursor movement.
5. Record and find the file
Press Start Recording, do your work, then press Stop Recording. The file goes to the recording path set in Settings → Output, which defaults to your Videos folder. File → Show Recordings opens that folder directly.
Bind hotkeys in Settings → Hotkeys so you can start and stop without switching windows.
Common problems
Black preview, silent recordings and files that stop early each have a dedicated page: black screen, no audio and recording will not start.
Frequently asked questions
Where are OBS recordings saved?
In the folder set under Settings, Output, Recording Path. On a new Windows install that is your Videos folder. File, Show Recordings opens it.
What settings should I use for screen recording?
For 1080p desktop content: output resolution equal to your monitor, 30 fps for slides and 60 fps for motion, a hardware encoder, and CQP around 20 or CBR near 20,000 kbps.
Can OBS record one window only?
Yes. Use a Window Capture source and select the program. Everything outside that window, including notifications, stays out of the file.
How do I record desktop audio and my microphone separately?
In Advanced output mode assign Desktop Audio to one audio track and the microphone to another, then enable both tracks for the recording.