CHECK THIS FIRST

Before you change a setting

OBS says dropped frames mean the connection to the streaming server is not stable, or it cannot keep up with your bitrate. A speed test measures a few seconds to a different server. Start by comparing Video Bitrate in Settings → Output with your upload speed: the OBS guide gives 75% of your upload speed as a starting point for the bitrate.

Find the line that matches what you see

IF YOU SEEThe speed test is fast, but dropped frames climbLIKELY REASON

The speed test and the stream go to different servers. The connection to the streaming server is the one that matters.

TRY THIS

Choose a different Server in Settings → Stream and run the same test stream.

IF YOU SEEIt only happens on Wi-FiLIKELY REASON

OBS recommends a wired connection for streaming.

TRY THIS

Stream at the same bitrate over an Ethernet cable.

IF YOU SEEIt started after you installed a VPN or a network toolLIKELY REASON

OBS lists VPNs and network tools among the things that can get in the way of the connection.

TRY THIS

Turn it off for one test stream, then turn it back on.

What to change, in order

  • Step 1. Plug in an Ethernet cable. OBS recommends a wired connection for streaming.
  • Step 2. Open Settings → Stream and choose a different Server, then run a short test stream.
  • Step 3. Open Settings → Output and lower Video Bitrate.
  • Step 4. Turn off any VPN for one test. OBS also names network tools that interfere, such as Killer NIC software and Network Boost in Lenovo Vantage.
  • Step 5. Open Settings → Advanced → Network and check that Bind to IP is set to Default.
  • Step 6. Restart your modem and router.
  • Step 7. If nothing else helps, turn on "Dynamically change bitrate to manage congestion (Beta)" in Settings → Advanced → Network. OBS says it lowers the bitrate when the connection cannot keep up and does not fix the cause.

How to restore your old settings

Write down the Server, the Video Bitrate and anything you change under Settings → Advanced → Network, and set them back if the dropped-frames number does not go down. Turn the VPN back on as soon as the test is over.

Steps checked against: OBS Project: Stream Connection Troubleshooting ↗

Can an OBS log show this?

A log can show this. When you stop streaming, OBS writes the percentage of dropped frames to the log. Paste that log into the OBS Log Analyzer to read it. After a change, OBS Log Compare shows whether the percentage went down. A log cannot tell you why your connection was unstable.

Analyze my OBS log →

Common questions

01Why can OBS drop frames when my upload speed is high?+

Dropped frames mean the connection to the streaming server was not stable, or could not keep up with your bitrate, at some point in the stream. A speed test is a few seconds to a different server, so it can miss both.

02Is dynamic bitrate a complete fix?+

No. OBS says it lowers the bitrate when the connection cannot keep up, in place of dropping frames, and that it does not solve the cause. Use it only if you cannot fix the connection.

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