Common OBS Studio Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Avoid Them

OBS Studio is one of the most powerful tools for livestreaming—but its flexibility can be overwhelming for first-time users. If you’ve ever gone live and things didn’t look or sound right, you’re not alone.

Here are the most common mistakes beginners make in OBS—and how to fix them before they cost you your audience.

 Common Mistakes Beginners Make in OBS

1. Forgetting to Set Up Scenes Before Streaming

The Mistake:
You hit "Start Streaming" and realize your webcam isn’t added, your game isn’t showing, or you're stuck on a black screen.

How to Avoid It:

• Set up at least 2–3 scenes beforehand: Starting Soon, Main Stream, BRB

• Add your sources (webcam, screen, overlays) and test each one

• Use Studio Mode to preview scenes before going live

Save your scene collection and back it up regularly.

2. Incorrect Audio Settings 

The Mistake:
Your mic is on, but your stream is silent—or worse, the game audio drowns out your voice.

How to Avoid It:

• Go to Settings > Audio

• Add your microphone and desktop audio correctly

• Use the Audio Mixer to balance levels

• Watch for peaking (distortion) or flatlining (dead audio)

Use headphones to avoid feedback and echo.

3. Streaming at Too High a Resolution or Bitrate

The Mistake:
Your stream lags, buffers, or crashes because your PC or internet can't handle the settings. 

How to Avoid It:

• Use the Auto-Configuration Wizard (Tools > Auto-Config Wizard)

• Start with these settings:

  • Output Resolution: 1280×720

  • Bitrate: 2500–4500 Kbps

  • Encoder: NVENC or x264

  • FPS: 30

Start small and scale up only if your system can handle it. Check out the Best OBS Settings for Livestreaming.

4. Not Testing Before Going Live

The Mistake:
You realize mid-stream that your webcam is frozen, overlays are misaligned, or your audio is off.

How to Avoid It:

• Always do a private test stream or local recording

• Check alerts, transitions, and audio levels

• Use Studio Mode to preview changes before showing them live

A quick test can prevent major stream issues.

5. Neglecting File Management for Recordings

The Mistake:
You record a stream only to find the file is missing, corrupted, or in the wrong format.

How to Avoid It:

• Go to Settings > Output > Recording

• Set Recording Format to MKV (safer than MP4), then remix to MP4 afterward

• Double-check your recording folder path

• Enable “Automatically remix to MP4” if needed

OBS does not record automatically—you must start it manually.

6. Adding Too Many Overlays 

The Mistake:
Your stream looks crowded with popups, animations, and flashing alerts.

How to Avoid It:

• Start with minimal overlays webcam frame, alert box, logo

• Add widgets gradually as your content grows

• Use tools like Zukaa for polished, functional overlays

Let your content lead—visuals should enhance, not overwhelm.

7. Ignoring CPU and GPU Usage During Stream

The Mistake:
Your stream lags or crashes and you're not sure why.

How to Avoid It:

• Use the OBS Stats panel (View > Stats)

• Monitor CPU usage, frame drops, and rendering lag

• Close unnecessary apps, browsers, and background tasks

If performance drops, try lowering resolution, bitrate, or FPS.

Stream Smarter, Not Harder

OBS Studio gives creators a lot of control, but that power comes with a learning curve. Most beginner issues are easy to avoid with a bit of prep, a solid understanding of settings, and regular testing.

Focus on clarity, performance, and consistency. With time and practice, your stream will feel smooth, professional, and uniquely yours.

If you want to take your livestreams to the next level without overwhelming yourself, Zukaa is a great option to consider. It offers easy-to-use interactive widgets and customizable overlays designed to keep your viewers engaged and entertained. Whether you’re running polls, displaying real-time comments, or highlighting gifts, Zukaa seamlessly integrates with OBS to help you create a more dynamic and professional stream—without the hassle of complicated setups. It’s the perfect tool to make your broadcasts stand out and connect better with your viewers.