Windows 11

OBS Studio on Windows 11 — install guide & common fixes

OBS Studio 31.x is fully compatible with Windows 11. The main Windows 11 specific issues are SmartScreen blocking the installer and Windows Gaming Features (Xbox Game Bar, Game Mode) interfering with capture.

Install OBS Studio on Windows 11

  • 1

    Download and run installer

    Get OBS-Studio-31.0.3-Windows.exe. SmartScreen may appear — click More info → Run anyway.

  • 2

    Disable Xbox Game Bar if capturing games

    Windows 11 Xbox Game Bar can conflict with OBS game capture. Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar → disable "Open Xbox Game Bar". Or add OBS to the Game Mode exclusion list.

  • 3

    Use Windows Graphics Capture method

    For Display Capture: in source properties, set Capture Method to Windows Graphics Capture. This is the most reliable method on Windows 11.

OBS issues specific to Windows 11

Display Capture black screen on Windows 11
Changed capture API in Windows 11
Change capture method to Windows Graphics Capture in source properties
Xbox Game Bar conflicts with OBS capture
Both capturing the same game
Disable Xbox Game Bar in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar
OBS performance worse after Windows 11 upgrade
Windows 11 Game Mode or background services
Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > enable; add OBS to Defender exclusions

Windows 11 questions

Does OBS Studio work on Windows 11?

Yes. OBS Studio 31.x is fully compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 11 ARM. Install the standard Windows installer. The main thing to know is that Display Capture works best with the Windows Graphics Capture method on Windows 11.

Getting black screen?

Dedicated black screen fix guide.

Black screen fix