How to Add a Webcam to OBS Studio
To show your webcam in OBS Studio, add it as a video capture source inside a scene. You can then position the camera, adjust its settings, and use that scene for recording or a supported live stream.
A scene is your layout. A source is something inside it, such as your webcam, microphone, or an image.
Add your webcam
Connect your webcam before opening its settings in OBS. For a built-in camera, you can start with the steps below.
- 1.Open OBS Studio and select the scene you want to use in the Scenes panel.
- 2.In Sources, click +.
- 3.Choose Video Capture Device. On Linux, choose Video Capture Device (V4L2).
- 4.Select Create new, give the source a recognizable name, and click OK.
- 5.Select your webcam from the Device list.
- 6.Check that the preview shows the correct camera, then click OK.
On Mac, allow camera access if prompted. You can review permissions through OBS Studio → Review App Permissions.
Position and resize the picture
Click your webcam source in the Sources panel. Drag the picture to move it, or drag a corner handle to resize it.
To fill the scene while preserving the picture's proportions, right-click the source and choose Transform → Fit to Screen. If the camera and scene have different shapes, some empty space may remain. Stretching the picture to remove that space can distort your appearance.
If another image or video is covering your webcam, move the webcam above it in the Sources list. Sources higher in the list appear in front of those below them.
Choose a resolution and frame rate
Start with the device's default settings. If you need a different resolution or frame rate, reopen the source's Properties.
On Windows, change Resolution/FPS Type to Custom to select these manually. Choose a combination your camera supports. An unsupported resolution or frame rate can leave the source blank.
A higher camera resolution does not automatically mean a higher-resolution stream. OBS also has separate output settings, and your streaming platform may specify its own limits.
Check your microphone separately
Seeing your camera picture does not confirm that OBS is capturing your voice.
Speak and watch the microphone meter in the Audio Mixer. If the wrong microphone is selected, open Settings → Audio and choose the device you intend to use.
Make a short test recording and play it back to check both your picture and sound before going live.
If the camera is missing or the picture is black
Work through these checks one at a time:
- Reopen the source's Properties and confirm the correct device is selected.
- Check that the source is visible using its eye icon, and that another source is not covering it.
- Return custom camera settings to a supported resolution and frame rate.
- Close other programs that may be using the camera, then reopen OBS.
- Check your computer's camera permissions and the camera manufacturer's driver or setup instructions.
If the camera works in OBS but not on your streaming site, check that site's OBS connection instructions. Adding a webcam to OBS does not connect OBS to a platform by itself.