01
Check the OBS preview
Open OBS Studio and select the affected scene in Scenes. Look at the Sources panel and confirm that your Display Capture source is visible. If its eye icon is disabled, click it to show the source.
Recreate the Display Capture source, verify the selected display and capture method, then adjust Windows graphics preferences if the problem persists.
Requirements
- Windows 11
- OBS Studio installed
- A working monitor connected to the computer
- Access to Windows graphics settings
- An existing OBS scene or permission to create a new one
Instructions
02
Create a new display capture source
In Sources, click + > Display Capture. Select Create new, enter a recognizable name, and click OK. Creating a separate source helps determine whether the original capture configuration is responsible.
03
Select the correct monitor
In the Properties window for the new source, open the Display dropdown. Select the monitor you want to capture and check whether the preview shows your desktop. Click OK to save the selection.
04
Change the capture method
Right-click the Display Capture source and select Properties. If the Capture Method dropdown is available, try another supported method, such as Windows 10 (1903 and up) or DXGI Desktop Duplication. Click OK and check whether the preview appears.
05
Check Windows graphics preferences
Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics. Locate OBS Studio in the application list or add its desktop executable through Add desktop app. Select Options to inspect the GPU preference assigned to OBS.
06
Test the alternative GPU
If your computer has integrated and dedicated graphics, select the alternative GPU in Graphics preference and click Save. Restart OBS Studio so Windows applies the preference. Test the Display Capture source again to see whether the black screen disappears.
⚠ warningThis setting can affect OBS performance and other capture sources. Record the original GPU preference before changing it.
07
Fit the source to the canvas
Select the Display Capture source in the OBS preview. Right-click it and choose Transform > Fit to Screen. The captured desktop should now fit inside the canvas rather than appearing outside the visible area.
08
Verify the recording
Open OBS Studio > Settings > Output and confirm that the recording path points to a location with sufficient free space. Click Start Recording, move a window on your desktop, and then click Stop Recording. Play the resulting file and verify that the desktop is visible.
Common issues
Display Capture works but Game Capture remains black.
Create a separate Game Capture source and select the correct game window. Game Capture uses a different capture mechanism and may require application-specific troubleshooting.
OBS only captures one of two monitors.
Open the affected Display Capture > Properties and select the correct monitor from Display. Use separate display capture sources if you want to switch between monitors.
The preview is black after changing the GPU preference.
Restore the original GPU preference and restart OBS. Then test the available Capture Method options in the display capture source.
Frequently asked
Should OBS use the integrated or dedicated GPU?
It depends on the hardware and capture method. On multi-GPU systems, testing both preferences can help identify a compatibility issue.
Does Display Capture record everything visible on the selected monitor?
It generally captures the desktop and visible windows. Protected content and some special overlays may not appear.
How to undo this
Delete the newly created Display Capture source if it is no longer needed. Restore the original Settings > System > Display > Graphics preference and restart OBS Studio.
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