OBS No Audio Fix
Last updated: September 1, 2026
Silent recordings usually come down to a device that is not selected, a track that is not enabled, or another application holding the sound device exclusively.
Check the mixer first
If the meters in the Audio Mixer do not move, OBS is not receiving sound at all. If they do move but the file is silent, the problem is track assignment rather than capture.
Select devices explicitly
In Settings → Audio, choose the actual playback and recording devices instead of Default. Windows changes the default device when you connect a headset, and OBS keeps pointing at the old one.
Track assignment in Advanced mode
In Advanced output mode each source has six track checkboxes, and the recording has its own set. Sound that is captured but assigned to a track the recording does not use will not appear in the file.
Exclusive mode and app volume
In the Windows sound control panel, disable Allow applications to take exclusive control for the device. Then open the Volume Mixer and confirm OBS is not muted there, which is easy to do by accident.
Monitoring
Audio Monitoring set to Monitor Only sends sound to your headphones but not to the output. Use Monitor and Output when you need both.