🎥 OBS Not Recognizing the Capture Card? Here’s How to Fix It

Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) is one of the most popular free tools for streaming and recording video. But sometimes, when you connect your capture card (Elgato, AverMedia, Razer, etc.), OBS simply won’t recognize it. Frustrating, right? The good news is this is a common issue — and usually easy to fix.

🔎 Common Reasons OBS Doesn’t Detect a Capture Card

1. Driver Issues
   Your capture card might not have the correct or latest drivers installed. Without them, OBS can’t communicate with the device.

2. Software Conflicts
   Other apps (Zoom, Teams, VLC, or even camera apps) may “lock” the capture card, preventing OBS from accessing it.

3. Incorrect Source Settings
   If the wrong resolution, frame rate, or input device is selected in OBS, the screen may stay black.

4. USB or HDMI Problems
   A loose connection, wrong port (USB 2.0 instead of 3.0), or faulty HDMI cable can break the signal chain.

5. Permission Issues (Mac/Windows)
   On macOS, OBS needs explicit permissions to access video devices. On Windows, some antivirus tools may block the connection.

⚡ Step-by-Step Fixes

1. Update Drivers

• Visit the manufacturer’s website (Elgato, AverMedia, Razer, etc.) and download the latest drivers.

• Restart your computer after installing.

2. Close Conflicting Programs

• Quit any software that might be using the capture card.

• On Windows, check the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) for hidden apps using the video device.

3. Reconfigure OBS

• Go to Sources → Add → Video Capture Device.

• Select your capture card from the dropdown.

• Manually set resolution and FPS (try 1920x1080 at 60fps for most modern cards).

4. Check Hardware

• Ensure you’re using a USB 3.0 port.

• Test with a different HDMI cable or device.

• Plug the capture card directly into your PC (avoid unpowered hubs).

5. Adjust System Permissions

• Mac: System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Camera → allow OBS.

• Windows: Settings → Privacy → Camera → enable apps to access the camera.

🛠️ When to Seek Professional Help

If none of these steps solve the problem, your capture card may be:

• Faulty (hardware failure)

• Incompatible with your operating system version

• Damaged due to overheating or poor handling

At Gary’s Computer Repair Service, we can test, diagnose, and repair streaming setups. Whether it’s your capture card, OBS configuration, or system settings, we’ll get you back online.

✅ Final Takeaway

“OBS not recognizing capture card” is usually caused by driver issues, software conflicts, or incorrect settings — and often has a quick fix. Try the steps above before assuming the hardware is broken.