When using OBS Studio on a laptop or multi-GPU system, you may run into performance issues or issues using a specific capture type (i.e. Game or Window capture). The reason this happens is because most modern laptops will come with two GPUs:

• An integrated GPU (iGPU) for 2D applications/your desktop, and
• A discrete/external GPU (either NVIDIA or AMD) for 3D apps and games.

OBS Studio can only run on one of these GPUs but your open applications and games could be running on either. For example, if OBS Studio is running on the integrated GPU, you will not be able to use Game Capture for your games running on the discrete (NVIDIA or AMD) GPU.

Additionally, if OBS is not running on the discrete GPU, you might run into performance issues. In rare cases, trying to capture a game running on a different GPU than OBS can cause the game to crash. This is not really an issue with OBS Studio but rather a design choice by laptop manufacturers in order to save power.

Use the following guide to specify the GPU on which OBS Studio runs. You can also use this guide to specify the GPU on which your games will run — for example, for Minecraft: Java Edition.

To check your version of Windows 10:

• Either click here
• or
  1. Open the Windows Settings App (Start button → Cogwheel icon)
  2. Go to System → About and scroll down to "Windows specification".

Windows 10 (1809 and up) & Windows 11

1. Open Windows Settings

• Close OBS Studio before you start
• Either click here
• or
  1. Open the Windows Settings App (Start button → Cogwheel icon)
  2. Navigate to System → Display → Graphics Settings (near the bottom)

2. Add OBS Studio to the List

• Choose "Classic App"/"Desktop App", then click Browse. Navigate to the following executable:
  • C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe

3. Choose a Mode

For Game Capture & Window Capture	For Display Capture

Windows 7, 8, & 10 (prior to 1809)

If you run Windows 7 or 8, or Windows 10 up to (and including) version 1809, use our separate guides:

• NVIDIA
• AMD