⚡ Quick Fix: Fix OBS Sound Not Working
Check System Volume: Open Volume Mixer or system sound settings and make sure OBS Studio, desktop audio, and microphone channels are not muted or turned down.
Fix OBS Audio Routing: In OBS Audio settings, set channels to Stereo and choose the correct Desktop Audio and Mic/Auxiliary Audio devices, then restart OBS.
Remove Audio Conflicts: Close other recording, streaming, voice chat, or overlay apps that may take exclusive control of your sound card and block OBS audio capture.
Repair Silent Recordings: If OBS meters moved during recording but the saved MP4 or MKV has no sound, repair the corrupted audio stream before re-recording or discarding the file.
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Fix OBS Sound Not Working
An overview of OBS sound and see how to repair "OBS sound not working" with 5 methods.
There are many professional uses of audio in our daily life. Multiple platforms provide audio management services, from recording audio for presentations and podcasts to editing audio for embedding into videos. OBS Studio is one such platform designed to provide expressive audio recording and streaming, as well as editing services. However, amidst the use of this tool, many users report issues such as OBS no sound.
This article is designed to provide you with highlights on what causes the issue of OBS no audio. Following this, we will also discuss and provide comprehensive guidelines for solving these OBS audio not working issues.
Table of Contents
Part 1: Overview of OBS Studio
Starting our discussion with what OBS Studio is, it stands among the top-rated, accessible, and open-source software for recording audio and video. Common among live streamers, this platform provides services for Windows, Mac, and Linux users alike. OBS Studio is one of the most advanced tools for high-quality audio recording.

The ability to capture high-performance real-time audio allows users to mix the audio throughout a recording effectively. Making recording excessively progressive will enable users to set up multiple scenes that can be easily switched through through transitional properties. With such advanced tools available for recording, OBS Studio makes audio management exceptionally simple and lucrative.
Although its workflow requires the user to know little about audio editors and their features, OBS Studio is one of the best programs for businesses and work activities.
Part 2: Possible Causes of OBS No Sound
Before we go into a comprehensive discussion on how a user can resolve OBS no sound on their computer, it is essential to know the causes that essentially make audio editing difficult for users across the platform. Once you understand why OBS audio isn’t working, you will be able to take tentative steps to resolve the OBS sound not working issue.
- System-Level or App-Specific Muting: A common oversight is that OBS Studio or individual audio channels have been inadvertently muted or turned down within the Windows Volume Mixer or macOS Sound Preferences.
- Audio Sample Rate Mismatch: If the sample rate in OBS (e.g., 44.1 kHz) does not perfectly match your system audio device settings (e.g., 48 kHz), it causes severe encoding conflicts, resulting in crackling, audio drift, or a total loss of sound.
- Exclusive Mode Conflicts: Certain third-party software, gaming overlays, or voice chat applications enable "Hardware Exclusive Mode," locking the sound card and preventing OBS from capturing the desktop audio stream.
- Incorrect Audio Device Routing: After system updates or changing peripherals, OBS often loses track of the primary output, leaving the "Global Audio Devices" mapped to disconnected or wrong hardware channels.
- Post-Recording File Corruption: If your OBS mixer levels were fluctuating during recording but your exported MP4/MKV file plays back in complete silence, the file itself is likely corrupted due to a sudden system crash, overloaded CPU, or incomplete metadata write.
Part 3: Try These Methods to Fix OBS No Audio Issue
With an overview of the platform and the causes leading to OBS Studio no sound across the computer, we shall now look ahead to the 5 methods that can be used to resolve the problem. You will surely be able to play your audios properly across OBS Studio after using these remedies.
Fix 1: Unmute the OBS
For the first remedy, you can try checking the OBS's sound across your computer's Volume Mixer. There is a possibility that the sound across the platform may be turned off from the Volume Mixer for no specific reason. However, to discover this across your computer, you need to follow the simple set of steps featured below to figure out why OBS Studio audio not working:
Step 1: Access the "Speaker" icon on your computer's taskbar.
And right-click on it to select the option of "Open Volume Mixer" within the list.

Step 2: On the window that opens up, you need to click on the "Speaker" icon.
It beneath the OBS Studio bar to unmute the platform's volume.

Fix 2: Tweak OBS Audio Settings
If we consider that the system sound settings are perfectly fine and are not setting up any problem for the user, it would be appropriate to check the audio settings across the platform itself.
There might be a chance that the OBS audio settings might show some irregularities in their functionality. Thus, it would be best if you considered checking the settings and making changes that you find perfect for the case. Go through the steps to know more about the process of performing this task:
Step 1: You need to launch OBS Studio on your computer.
And proceed to the "File" tab on the taskbar at the top of the window. Select the "Settings" option from the options available in the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Move to the "Audio" section from the left pane across the new window.
In the "Channels" option, you need to make sure that the settings are set to "Stereo."

Step 3: Proceed to the "Global Audio Devices" section on the same screen.
And set the audio device you are using for the "Desktop Audio" and "Mic/Auxiliary Audio" settings. You can even set the settings to "Default" for both options to configure the default sound devices across the platform. Make sure to restart OBS Studio before using it again.

Fix 3: Remove Other Audio Playing Programs
You might face issues in managing your audio across the computer if you have other third-party applications installed on it. If these applications take control of the audio devices in the background, they won't allow OBS Studio to function correctly.
Try keeping yourselves away from using OBS Studio competitors such as Camtasia, Movavi Screen Recorder, and Lightstream Studio, as they might prevent the user from playing the audio perfectly across the platform. Remove all such audio-playing programs from your computer so that you can avoid the issue of OBS no desktop audio within the device.
Fix 4: Rescue Corrupted Audio via Professional Audio Repair Program
What if your system audio settings are flawless, your OBS mixer meters are moving, but your saved recording still has zero sound? In this critical scenario, the problem does not lie within OBS Studio—your recorded video/audio file has suffered internal data corruption. Abrupt system shutdowns, high CPU usage spikes, or improper encoding termination can break the audio stream header, rendering the file mute across all media players.
When your valuable data is damaged, traditional troubleshooting can't save it. You need a dedicated algorithmic solution like Wondershare Repairit. Specially engineered to reconstruct broken audio metadata, Repairit automatically detects and re-aligns desynced tracks, eliminates clipping or humming artifacts, and fully restores missing audio streams without compromising file quality.
Use Repairit to Fix Your OBS Audio File Issues Now
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Step 1: Launch Repairit Audio Repair Tool
Start by launching Wondershare Repairit on your computer. Proceed to the "More Types Repair" section in the left panel, then click "Audio Repair".

Step 2: Add Files and Samples to Repair
To start the process, click on the "+Add" button to import the corrupted audio file. Click "Repair" to open a pop-up asking for the reference audio. Add the sample audio as a reference and click on the "Start Advanced Repair" button.

Step 3: View Results and Save Repaired Audio
Once the audio is repaired, it is displayed across the next window. You can view the results by clicking on the "Preview" button. Once satisfied, click on the "Save" button to export it across the computer.

Prefer a visual guide? Watch this video to see how to restore your lost OBS audio instantly.
Fix 5: Reinstall OBS Studio
If none of the provided methods are resolving the problem of OBS no audio across your computer, it is best to try reinstalling the platform across your computer. This would restore the platform entirely for you and exempt all issues that exist within it. Follow the steps below to reinstall OBS Studio with ease:
Step 1: Launch the Run Program on your computer by tapping the shortcut keys of "Windows + R".
As a new window opens up, type in "appwiz.cpl" and press "Enter" to open the "Program and Features" window.

Step 2: Locate the OBS Studio application in the list across the "Uninstall or change a program" section.
Right-click on the program and select the "Uninstall/Change" option to uninstall the program.

Step 3: Lead in to the browser and access the official website of OBS Studio to download.
And install the software again on the computer.

Step 4: Following this, launch the "OBS Studio Installer" on your computer.
And follow the on-screen instructions, such as specifying the "Destination Folder" where you want to install the OBS Studio.

Further Reading:
Fix "OBS Dropping Frames"
Fix Lag Problem in OBS
Conclusion
In this article, we have had a comprehensive discussion on the issue related to OBS no sound. With a complete overview of the causes that lead to such a scenario, this article has focused on some essential methods that can be tried out to resolve the OBS no audio issue within the computer.
People Also Ask
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Can OBS fail to record desktop audio even when sources look correct?
Yes, even if audio sources are added, OBS may still not capture desktop audio due to wrong audio device selection, audio monitoring set to 'Monitor Only', or muted tracks in the Advanced Audio Properties. Always confirm that 'Desktop Audio Device' is set to an active device and that monitoring is set to 'Monitor and Output'. -
Is there a way to restore sound in OBS recordings if the audio file got corrupted?
Yes. If your OBS recording has no sound because the audio was corrupted, tools like Repairit can help recover the corrupted audio segment. It supports audio repair even when parts are clipped or distorted, helping restore OBS Studio audio not working issues from the recorded files. -
Why is OBS Studio mic sound not working while desktop audio works?
This often happens when the mic input is disabled, muted, or assigned to the wrong input channel. Check OBS Audio settings → Mic/Auxiliary Audio, ensure correct microphone is selected, verify mixer shows input, and check whether noise suppression or filters block mic signal.
