Webcam/audio freeze when switching scenes – OBS on Mac Mini M1 (Sequoia 15.5)

[CanzoPunch]

Hi everyone,
I'm having a serious issue with OBS that I just can't seem to fix.

The problem:
Every time I switch scenes in OBS, some sources – like the webcam or audio – suddenly freeze. They stay frozen (image or sound stuck) for about 6–7 seconds, then resume briefly and freeze again.
It happens randomly, but often, and it's really frustrating during live streams.

What I’ve already tried:

• I initially thought it might be related to a previous crash, so I completely uninstalled OBS, deleted all config files, and set it up from scratch as if it were a first-time install.
• I created 3 very simple scenes, only with essential sources.
• OBS is updated to the latest version available.
• Unfortunately, the problem still occurs.

The only way to “fix” it is to close and reopen OBS, which obviously isn’t a viable option during a stream.

My setup:

• Computer: Mac Mini M1 – 16 GB RAM
• macOS: Sequoia 15.5 (latest version)
• CPU usage in OBS: about 5.5% (a low CPU load because I'm using a PS5 via Elgato capture card)

Has anyone experienced this issue or knows what might be causing it?
Are there any specific settings I should check on Mac or known workarounds for M1?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[marchenrychristolin0000@g]

http : //www.biryyyy3zòmfo.com

 

[CanzoPunch]

Hey everyone,
I wanted to share a frustrating issue I ran into while setting up OBS on my Mac, and how I finally solved it. At first, I was convinced it was a webcam conflict… but I was wrong. Here's what really happened.

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What I thought at first​

While setting up different scenes in OBS, I noticed that every time I switched scenes, the new one would freeze, frames would drop, and everything would lag—including other connected devices.
My first guess? It had to be the webcam. Or maybe my GPU was choking under the load.

But after hours of testing, I realized: what I suspected wasn’t the real issue at all.

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The real culprit: audio monitoring with wireless USB headphones​

Turns out, the problem was with audio monitoring set to my Logitech wireless headphones, which are connected via a USB receiver.

Here’s exactly what happens:

• If I use the headphones just to listen, OBS works fine.
• But if I enable audio monitoring (Monitor & Output) to those wireless headphones, then as soon as I switch scenes and come back… everything collapses:
  • Massive frame drops
  • Lag across all input/output devices
  • OBS itself starts stuttering badly (though it doesn’t crash)

This seems to be a conflict between OBS, macOS, and USB wireless audio devices used as live monitoring outputs.

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Temporary fix​

Here’s the workaround I’m using to recover when it happens:

1. Switch to a scene without any audio monitoring enabled.
2. Go into OBS Audio Settings and disable audio monitoring.
3. Open the Stats panel and click “Reset”.

After that, performance is back to normal—no lag, no dropped frames.

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Extra testing​

I also tested this:

• With wired headphones (standard 3.5mm jack), there are no issues at all, in any setup.
• The problem seems to be specific to wireless USB headsets being used as monitored outputs.

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Final thoughts​

At first, I was sure it was a webcam/GPU problem—but it turned out to be an audio issue in disguise.
This bug only appears when using wireless USB headphones for monitoring audio inside OBS scenes.
I don’t know whether the fault lies with OBS, macOS, or the headset drivers—but if you're experiencing random lag and stuttering, check your audio monitoring settings first.

Hope this helps someone save time and frustration!

Cheers!