Audio Problems in OBS – Open Broadcaster Software (Solutions)

I’ve come across many audio issues over my years of helping Twitch streamers and Youtubers with setup and troubleshooting. It seems that audio is the cause of most technical issues when it comes to gaming, speedrunning, or general livestreaming. When searching around for answers, you’re likely to find solutions to other problems, but then you’ll have to exit out and rephrase your search. To avoid that, I wanted to create a comprehensive OBS audio issue guide for easy reference — so here it is!

This guide should help with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, or any other streaming and recording software. The steps will just be slightly different, but the same logic will still apply.

When Only Viewers Can Hear Game Audio (Solution)

In OBS or Streamlabs OBS, you may be stuck with an issue where only your viewers can hear the game audio. Or maybe, instead, only you can hear the game audio. You might be digging through your Elgato or other game capture settings trying to figure this out, but no worries, the answer is likely more simple than that! And the fix works whether you’re using GVUSB2, ElgatoHD60s, or any other game gapture device.

The most common cause to this issue is a setting right within Open Broadcaster Software (OBS). Below are the steps to resolve this issue.

1. 1. Open OBS or Streamlabs OBS
   2. Click on the cog over the mixer
      
   3. Now head to your game capture device in the new window which pops up.
      

From here, you will need to choose the correct setting based on your other configurations. For example, In the image above, you can see that mine is set to “Monitor Only” (mute output). I will explain why my configuration requires this setting in another audio issue (Game audio echoes or plays twice).

Only I Can Hear the Game Audio! (Resolved)

If your game audio is being heard by you, but your stream or video cannot hear the game audio, you should first try setting this to “Monitor and Output”. This means the audio will play through to your viewers, and to you as the streamer or video producer.

Game Capture Audio Echoes or Plays Twice (Fixed)

When using the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+, AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini, Elgato Game Capture 4K60 S+, or any capture card for gaming, you may experience an issue where the audio has an echo. In some cases, the game audio plays twice, instead of sounding like an echo. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below.

• Open OBS, right click on your game capture device in the Sources panel, and select Properties.
• In the new window that opens, scroll down to Audio Output Mode and select Capture audio only.
• Click OK, and the echo will be gone!

Using this option is not for everyone. I use my PC to listen to the audio myself, so I use the Output desktop audio (DirectSound) option. However, for most people using a TV to play your games results in a double audio effect. In those cases, this simple adjustment to Capture audio only will likely be your solution.

Check Your Stream

Sometimes users keep their channel up in a web browser while streaming. The audio echo or double may be coming from your livestream playing, which will create an endless loop of doubling. I know this sounds a little funny, but it happens! Be aware of which windows you have open when streaming.

This can also sneak up on users at times, if their stream goes down quickly without them noticing, or if Twitch has a hiccup. One of these issues may cause your stream to start playing in a browser during the middle of a streaming session.

Background Echo When Streaming (Solved)

If you are still experiencing some echo, it may be coming from your other devices. The first to consider, if you are using a dedicated microphone, is your webcam. Webcams often pick up audio as well, so you will want to ensure that your webcam audio is muted.

Background Noises in OBS (Fix)

When it comes to background noises, you’ll also want to consider your microphone. If only one person is talking into a mic, and you want to avoid outside noises from being picked up (such as game audio, or the clicking of your controller or keyboard), you will want to be sure you are using the cardioid mode on your microphone. If you do not see symbols on your mic, it is likely automatically built for this and you won’t need to worry about it.

Cardioid mode has a symbol that often looks like a heart. If this is an option on your mic, it is recommended to select this option.

Also, be sure that your microphone is facing the correct direction. I streamed for a couple of weeks with my new microphone, but it picked up background noises no matter what I did. A viewer in my channel suggested I try testing the mic backwards. I turned it around and the background noises cleared up immediately. Sometimes, a simple adjustment like this will completely clear up the sound of your voice and hide background audio.

Use Headphones, Earbuds, or Other Listening Devices

Some gamers may opt for headphones, while others don’t like the look or feel of them. There are many options available to keep the audio in your ears and out of your microphone. Be sure to take a look around Amazon, online, or local shops for earbuds, headphones, or whatever you’d prefer to use!

Microphone Has Double Audio (How to Fix)

A common issue users face with their microphone is that they’ll hear the audio twice. If you are experiencing double audio from your microphone, follow the steps below for Windows 10. The steps will be similar on other operating systems.

• Right click on the audio icon on your computer’s toolbar and select Sounds.
• In the window that opens up, go to the Recording tab, right click your microphone, and select Properties.
• Finally, click the Listen tab and deselect the Listen to this device checkbox.

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