Question / Help Encoding error, stream freezing

[ratifa]

I've been using OBS classic for years without issues, but I decided to switch to Studio recently. All of my settings were initially the same as OBS classic but I've been turning them down as every time I go live the stream freezes and there is an encoding error at the bottom of the window (Encoding overloaded! Consider turning down video settings or using a faster encoding preset).

I've pored through the forums, trying to find a solution, adjusting settings everywhere, but nothing is helping. I've also checked the temperature inside of my case and CPU and everything seems to be running at the right temps. I'm uploading 2 separate log files, one from last night and then one from about a week and a half ago, to show the changes in settings.

I don't know how to gather info from these files so I really appreciate any suggestions.

~Ratifa

 

[sam686]

Overwatch steals away a lot of CPU usage from letting other programs like OBS work. You may need to alt-tab out of the game, use task manager, details, and reduce priority of game and/or increase priority of OBS. You may also use affinity to uncheck 1 or more CPU from a game. This may need to be done on every game/OBS launch.

 

[ratifa]

Thanks for the reply. I was also having the same issue with Diablo 3 - you'll see in my 2016-11-02 log. Also, I've streamed Overwatch on OBS classic without problems (until last night, for no apparent reason) with higher quality settings.

I'll add a log during a Warframe stream really quick.

 

[sam686]

Log shows something bad: Number of skipped frames due to encoding lag: 10148 (97.0%)

fmpeg_source like your Background Video, may use up quite a bit of CPU usage if at too high of resolution so you may take that off to free up some CPU.

In windows 10 task manager, check if your CPU is dropping GHz while at over 50% CPU usage for possible overheating problem where CPU slows down to avoid damage. It is ok for GHz may drop when at less then 10% CPU usage to reduce power usage. Also, intel Turbo boost may allow GHz to go up a little which is ok.

While recording or streaming with a game, check your memory usage, CPU usage, and disk active time. If any of them is maxed out then find out what game/program is using too much in details tab. Note that maxed out memory may also max out hard disk active time due to windows swap memory between hard disk and RAM, in which more RAM will help avoid this.

 

[ratifa]

Thanks again for the quick reply! I dropped the source with the video in the background and I went out and bought a can of air to clean out my PC really well. I'm embarrassed to say it was much worse than I had initially thought. Once it got a good clean, I booted it back up, opened up Overwatch, OBS Studio, my temp monitor software and the task manager (to watch CPU usage) as you suggested and now everything is running much more efficiently.

I really appreciate you taking the time to look at my logs and giving me a better understanding on how to monitor my system. Thank you!