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Fix: OBS High CPU Usage on Windows [5 Quick Ways]
Explore the best solutions for this annoying issue
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
While there are many potential causes for the OBShigh CPU usageissue, you can quickly fix it by following the steps in the next section.
How can I fix OBS if it’s registering high CPU usage?
1. Update GPU driver
The OBS’s high CPU usage can be due to outdated or faulty drivers. This is because the app requires proper drivers to function well.
So, if your GPU card driver is outdated, it might cause it to use too much CPU. If the Windows driver updater cannot find the needed drivers, you can go to the manufacturer’s website to download the latest version.
Alternatively, you can use a dedicated driver updater in Outbyte Driver Updater to update your drivers. This tool automatically scans for outdated drivers and updates them before they can cause problems.
Outbyte Driver Updater
2. Reduce output resolution
Your stream screen resolution determines the quality of the output. However, if it is too high, it can cause OBS to register high CPU usage. Hence, you might need to lower it to fix this issue.
3. Reduce the frame rate
The frame rate determines the number of frames captured while recording. Unfortunately, this can also lead to the OBS high CPU usage issue if it is too high, as it strains your resources. Thus, it would be best if you reduced it to balance resource usage.
4. Change the X264 preset
The X264 is the video source library used by OBS for video encoding. It gives you options to balance your CPU usage and video quality. Hence, you can determine how much of your CPU OBS uses during the encoding process.
However, it is essential to note that the high the preset value, the lesser the CPU usage. The only downside is that choosing a high value like ultrafast will affect your video quality.
5. Update your PC
OBS is a resource-intensive software and needs your PC to be firing on cylinders to function well. Hence, if your PC is outdated, it might cause OBS to register high CPU usage.
There you have it: everything you need to fix the OBS high CPU usage issue. We believe you should be able to fix this issue for good and use theexcellent stream softwarewithout worrying if you follow this guide’s steps carefully.
More about the topics:High CPU usage,Obs studio
Ola-Hassan Bolaji
Windows Hardware Expert
A Computer Engineering graduate, he has spent most of his life reading and writing about computers.
He finds joy in simplifying complex topics into simple solutions for PC users. The quality of his work and providing step-wise tested and proven solutions to PC issues are all that matter to him.
Away from computers, he is either reading or watching football!
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Ola-Hassan Bolaji
Windows Hardware Expert
He’s a Computer Engineering graduate who has spent most of his life reading and writing about computers & operating systems.
