I use OBS for multi-camera broadcasts connected via a video capture card, but now the capture card's image isn't showing up—just a black screen. I’ve tried most troubleshooting steps, like deleting and re-adding the source, but nothing worked. I even uninstalled OBS and reinstalled older versions, yet the problem persists. I don't know what else to do.
The video capture card isn't showing an image in OBS.
- Thread starter Icccs
- Start date
sk105
New Member
Since reinstalling and older versions didn't change anything, the cause is most likely outside OBS. Quick checks, in order:
- Does the card show an image anywhere else? Open the Windows Camera app (or the card's own software) with OBS closed. If it's black there too, it's the signal, cable, driver or card, not OBS.
- Another app holding the device. On Windows only one program can use a capture device at a time. Close the card's vendor app, Teams/Zoom/Discord, and any second OBS instance (check the tray and Task Manager).
- Camera permission. Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera → make sure "Let desktop apps access your camera" is on. Updates sometimes turn it off, and the result is a black source.
- HDCP. If the source is a PlayStation, cable box, or a PC playing protected video, the card gets a black image. On PlayStation, turn off HDCP in Settings → System.
- Format mismatch. In the Video Capture Device properties set Resolution/FPS Type: Custom, pick the resolution and FPS the camera actually sends (e.g. 1920x1080, 30 or 29.97), and try both Video Format options (YUY2 and MJPEG/NV12). Click Deactivate then Activate after each change.
- Multi-camera on USB. Several USB capture cards on the same controller can run out of bandwidth, and the last one shows black. Move one to a port on the other side of the PC (a different controller), and use USB 3 ports directly, not a hub.