Just follow these 5 steps to start streaming or recording!

1. Run the Auto-Configuration Wizard

If you're new to OBS or just want to get started as quickly as possible, follow the steps in the Auto-Configuration Wizard. This wizard will automatically test your system and attempt to find settings that your PC can handle. This includes streaming or recording, resolution, bitrate, encoder, streaming provider and more. You can always modify the settings manually later.

The wizard will show the first time you run OBS. If you need to run it again, click on the Tools menu → Auto-Configuration Wizard.

2. Set up your audio devices

By default, OBS Studio is set to capture your desktop audio and microphone. You can verify this by looking at the volume meters in the mixer section of the main OBS Studio window. If they aren't moving, or you suspect the wrong device is being captured, click on OBS Settings → Audio and select the devices manually.

macOS users: If you're on macOS, you'll need an extra app to capture desktop audio.

3. Add your sources for video

Next, you'll see that the preview is a black screen. OBS does not capture any video by default. To get started capturing, you need to add a source.

Laptop users: Check Game Capture Troubleshooting or the GPU Selection Guide if your game/window/display capture sources show a black screen

At the bottom of the window is a box called 'Sources'. Click on the + (or right click inside the Sources box) and pick the source you want. For example:

Display Capture Source	Game Capture Source	Window Capture Source	Video Capture Source
Entire screen	Games (Windows only)	Non-game windows	Webcams / capture cards

For more information on the different sources, check the Sources Guide

4. Test your stream and record settings

Double check that all your settings are how you want them in Settings → Output. Then, click Start Recording or Start Streaming.

We strongly encourage running a test for a few minutes to make sure that there are no issues, rather than just jumping in to your first stream or recording.

5. There is no step 5!

Once you're satisfied, you can go on to creating great content. That's all there is to it!

You can continue setting up a streaming layout:

• Stream Layout Tutorial 1: Game Screen
• Stream Layout Tutorial 2: Alerts & Chat Box
• Stream Layout Tutorial 3: Be Right Back screen

If you do run into any issues, or need further help, take a peek at our help portal.