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Fix OBS Studio Recording Audio Out of Sync With Video

OBS audio desync is caused by mismatched sample rates or variable frame rate recording. Fix it with a sync offset and encoder settings.

by@guidox updated:10/26/26 time:10 min level:Intermediate works on:Windows 11 25H2, OBS Studio 31.x tools:OBS Studio
TL;DR

Audio drifts out of sync when the **audio sample rate** does not match the recording format or when **variable frame rate** causes timestamp gaps. Set a manual sync offset and lock the frame rate to fix it.

Before you start

Requirements

  • OBS Studio 31.x installed (https://obsproject.com/download)
  • A recording with the desync issue for testing
Step by step

Instructions

01

Measure the desync with a clap test

Record yourself clapping once on camera with the microphone visible. Play back the recording in **VLC** or **DaVinci Resolve** and note how many milliseconds the audio leads or lags the visual clap.

tipA positive offset means audio is ahead of video. A negative offset means audio is behind.
02

Match the audio sample rate to 48 kHz

In OBS, go to **Settings > Audio** and set **Sample Rate** to **48 kHz**. Then open **Settings > Output > Recording** and confirm the audio track is also 48 kHz. Mismatched rates cause gradual drift.

03

Apply a sync offset

Open the **Audio Mixer** in OBS, click the gear icon on your microphone source, and select **Advanced Audio Properties**. Enter the offset you measured in step 1 into the **Sync Offset (ms)** field.

⚠ warningStart with the exact value from your clap test. Fine-tune in 10 ms increments if the sync is still slightly off.
04

Lock the recording frame rate

Go to **Settings > Video** and set **Common FPS Values** to a fixed number like **60** or **30**. In **Settings > Output > Recording**, switch the encoder to **NVENC** or **AMF** if available — hardware encoders produce more consistent timestamps than x264.

tipVariable frame rate (VFR) from screen capture sources is the most common cause of progressive desync in long recordings.
05

Verify with a second clap test

Record another clap test and play it back. The audio and visual clap should align within one frame. Record a 10-minute clip to confirm the sync does not drift over time.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

Desync gets progressively worse over long recordings

Your capture source is using variable frame rate. In OBS, go to **Settings > Video** and ensure the FPS is locked. If capturing a game, enable V-Sync or cap the frame rate in the game settings.

Audio is ahead of video by a fixed amount every time

This is a consistent processing delay. Apply a negative sync offset equal to the measured delay in **Advanced Audio Properties**.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does the recording format affect sync?

Yes. Use **MKV** or **MP4** with a fixed frame rate. FLV and TS containers can introduce timestamp issues in some players.

Can I fix desync in post-production instead?

Yes, but it is slower. In DaVinci Resolve or Premiere, unlink the audio track and nudge it by the measured offset. Fixing it in OBS saves time on every recording.

How to undo this

Set the **Sync Offset** back to 0 in **Advanced Audio Properties**. Restore the original sample rate in **Settings > Audio** and the original encoder in **Settings > Output**.

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