Dropped frames: network
OBS could not deliver frames to the streaming server. Start with Ethernet, upload headroom and the connection to your platform.
Troubleshoot network drops →OBS TROUBLESHOOTING BY SYMPTOMOBS troubleshooting.
OBS troubleshooting.
Choose your symptom.
Pick the symptom you see. Each guide shows what to check first, one safe change to test and how to undo it.
8 step-by-step fixes · reviewed August 13, 2026
Which OBS counter should you check?
Open View → Stats while reproducing the problem, then stop the output and inspect the session log. The same visible stutter can have different causes.
Skipped frames: encoding
The encoder could not finish frames in time. Test a faster preset or lower output workload, keeping the same scene for comparison.
Troubleshoot encoder overload →Lagged frames: rendering
OBS could not build frames in time. Create GPU headroom by limiting game FPS or temporarily disabling a heavy source.
Troubleshoot rendering stutter →For missing audio or a black picture, watch and listen to a short local recording. Performance counters alone cannot confirm that the right source reached the output.
OBS SYMPTOM
Mic meter moves, but viewers hear nothing
The microphone meter responds in OBS, but a recording or stream contains no voice.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMGame audio buries the microphone
Speech becomes hard to understand when normal game or desktop audio plays.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMRecording or stream is black
The OBS canvas or source appears expected in one place, but the finished recording is black or nearly black.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMOBS says encoding overloaded
OBS reports encoding overload, skipped frames or an output that cannot keep up in a representative scene.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMStream stutters without network drops
Viewers see stutter even though OBS reports few or no network-dropped frames.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMStream turns blurry during motion
The stream looks sharp while the picture is still, then becomes blocky, soft or smeared during movement.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMDropped frames with good internet speed
A browser speed test reports plenty of upload capacity, but OBS still drops network frames or disconnects during a real stream.
See what to check →OBS SYMPTOMAudio drifts or arrives out of sync
Voice, game sound or capture-card audio reaches the finished recording before or after the matching picture.
See what to check →HAVE A COMPLETED LOG?
Separate network, rendering and encoding failures.
The browser analyzer reads end-of-session counters locally and shows the first supported next test.
Analyze my OBS log →NO LOG YET?
Run the same short rehearsal before and after one change.
The preflight checklist keeps the recording, audio, scene and privacy checks together on this device.
Open the pre-stream checklist →