Why Can't Stream and Record in OBS? Here Is the Answer and Solution

Are you encountering problems with OBS can't stream and record at the same time? As a matter of fact, this is a relatively common problem. This article will list some common causes and their solutions to help you troubleshoot and solve the problem. If this is what you're looking for, then you've come to the right place, so read on!

Part 1. Why Can't Stream and Record OBS

First, let's look at what the general possible reasons are for the problem of not being able to stream and record in OBS.

1. Hardware limitations.

Streaming and recording at high resolution/bit rate require a lot of resources. If your CPU or GPU is not powerful enough, it will have difficulty handling both tasks at the same time.

2. Incorrect encoder settings.

Using the wrong encoder or setting requirements that are too high can also make it impossible to stream and record in OBS. For example, if your recording encoder is set to Same as stream, it may use the same settings as your stream, which may not be suitable for recording.

3. Insufficient storage space.

Recording, especially high-quality video, requires a lot of disk space and a drive fast enough to write the data. And with high settings and CPU/GPU overload, streaming and recording at the same time may be difficult.

4. Software conflicts/outdated.

Conflicts with other screen recording/streaming/anti-virus software, etc., as well as outdated versions of OBS, may also cause problems.

5. Network issues.

If your internet speed is not stable enough, your streaming will experience frame loss, etc., which will also affect OBS recording and streaming at the same time.

Part 2. How to Fix the Issue

Next, in this section, we will troubleshoot each of the above issues to try to resolve the problem.

1. Consider your hardware.

If one of your device's hardware components is really the limiting factor, then you may need to consider going for a replacement. The following list of hardware configurations is available for your reference:

• CPU: Modern multi-core CPUs (Intel i5/Ryzen 5 or later) are recommended.

• GPU: Dedicated graphics cards (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series or newer, AMD Radeon RX 500 series or newer) are highly beneficial, especially for hardware encoding.

• RAM: 16GB of RAM is generally recommended for streaming and recording.

• Storage: An SSD (Solid State Drive) is strongly recommended for running the operating system and recording video.

2. Adjust encoder settings.

Adjust the encoder settings in Settings > Output > Record to record with a different encoder or settings, which may result in more resource usage.

3. Check disk storage space.

Check disk storage space to make sure you have enough free space on your recording drive (at least 10-20 GB, more for longer recordings).

4. Close unnecessary programs.

Close all unnecessary programs running in the background before streaming/recording to avoid software conflicts. Also, update the driver and OBS to the latest version.

5. Use a stable internet connection.

For streaming, it is highly recommended to use a stable Ethernet connection rather than Wi-Fi, which can be inconsistent.

Part 3. How to Stream and Record OBS at the Same Time

Here are the steps for streaming and recording at the same time with OBS:

1. Launch OBS and click the Settings button to start adjusting some streaming and recording settings.

2. Check the Automatically record when streaming box in Settings > General > Output to start recording whenever you begin streaming. Then, click Apply > OK in the lower right corner.

3. Navigate to Stream and select the platform you are streaming from the Service drop-down menu. Click the Apply button.

4. Then, turn to the Output tab in the sidebar to set parameters for streaming and recording. Again, click Apply > OK to save the changes.

5. Click the plus button under Source to add all the video and audio sources you want to record. Finally, click the Start Streaming and then the Start Recording button.

Part 4. Best Alternative to OBS

Do you find it complicated to stream and record at the same time in OBS? If you think so, don't worry, in this section, we will help you with one of the best alternatives to OBS, AnyMP4 Screen Recorder. It is an all-in-one screen recorder compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7, macOS 10.12 and above to capture any activity in video and audio without delay. In addition, this recorder gives you the freedom to choose to record your computer screen, webcam, or both. As well as the option to record with/without system sound/microphone. Finally, you can also use its real-time editing tool to edit after recording. Below, we will show you how to use AnyMP4 Screen Recorder to replace OBS to stream and record at the same time.

1. Click the download button to download and install AnyMP4 Screen Recorder on your Windows/Mac computer. Launch it after installation.

2. Keep the computer screen on the interface that you want to record and adjust the selected area with your mouse, or choose the fixed region and select region/window in OBS to record.

If you want to set the size on your own, you can also drag the red point on the side or input the width and length on the bar to select the size.

3. Change the System Sound and Microphone settings as you need. Then, click the big red Rec button to begin recording with ease.

4. After you start recording, you will see a small bar with toolbox shortcuts for taking snapshots, adding drawings, text or annotations as shown in the following.

5. To stop recording, click the red square button in the upper left corner of the bar. It will then display your recorded video in a new window. You can preview and edit the recorded video and save it when you are done

Conclusion

This article lists some common reasons why you can't stream and record in OBS and the solutions. It also shows the steps on how to stream and record at the same time in OBS and provides users with one of the best alternatives for OBS, AnyMP4 Screen Recorder, as well as its introduction and detailed steps. We hope this article can be helpful for you. You are also welcome to download and try AnyMP4 Screen Recorder for free by clicking the download button below, and share your experience in the comment section after using it!