OBS Encoding Overloaded: Why and How?
OBS, short for Open Broadcaster Software, is free and open source capture tool for video recording and streaming. It is well-known for the live streaming in gameplay. You can have OBS studio on Linux, Windows OS (7, 8, 8.1, 10) and macOS (10.11+).
Despite it’s popularity all over the world, however many users reflected that when streaming they are constantly interrupted by Encoding overloaded! Consider turning down video settings or using a faster encoding preset. Why is the warning appearing on your window? And how do you deal with the same issue? Continue reading the article to find out both reasons and fixes.
Part 1: Encoding Overloaded OBS: Why?
Apart from some common issues such as inadequate hardware — your hardware has not be updated yet, insufficient network — your internet connection is too weak or slow, too many programs running at the same time — your CPU is used by too many other programs, etc., the most possible reason why your OBS encoding overloaded is that your parameters are too high for your computer to handle. This headache issue can be soothed by adjusting software encoding and hardware rendering parameters.
The following content will show you how to deal with overloaded OBS and provide you with both step-by-step guides and explicit pictorial instructions. Keep scrolling.
Part 2: Encoding Overloaded OBS: How?
1. Change Preset Encoder
In OBS Studio, there are 3 encoders for users to choose: x264, NVIDIA NVENC (H.264), and QuickSync (H.264), which are CPU encoding, graphics card encoding and core graphics card encoding respectively. As x264 is software encoder and H.264 is hardware encoder, the difference between encoding in x264 and encoding in H.264 is worth to note: technically, x264 consumes more CPU resources but exports with high-quality graphic images while H.264 costs less CPU consumptions however guarantees low quality in graphics.
The chart below tells you the differences among x264, NVIDIA H.264 and QuickSync H.264 in OBS Studio and their relative pros and cons comparing with the rest two. With the chart, you could have a brief idea on the three encoders.
Since OBS has CPU encoding, that is, x264, by default, which consumes extremely large consumption on CPU and easily drags your computer to be choppy and stuck when streaming, you are recommended to switch from CPU encoding to graphics card encoding, NIVIDIA NVENC.
Change Encoder in OBS: Open OBS > File > Settings > Output > Output Mode: Advanced > Encoder > NIVIDIA NVENC H.264 > OK/Apply.
2. Modify the Bit Rate
The inappropriate bit rate is the other reason why OBS encoding overloaded warning pops up.
First, you need to calculate the upstreaming rate of your bandwidth (measured by magabits per second), then find where you are in the following chart. Change the bit rate accordingly.
You can modify OBS Bitrate in the following route: File > Settings > Output > Output Mode: Adevanced > Bitrate > OK/Apply.
3. Adjust x264 Preset
Solution 1 and solution 2 are based on the hardware encoding optimization, which takes little consumption of CPU, but degrading much the image quality of your streaming. If your streaming quality has been devalued, then you can adjust parameters on software encoding.
Adjust Encoder Preset in OBS: File > Settings > Output > Output Mode: Simple > Encoder: Software (x264) > Check Enable Advanced Encoder Settings > Encoder Preset > OK/Apply.
ote here:
The higher the encoder preset (Max Quality), the lower consumption on CPU, the better image quality;
The lower the encoder preset (Low-Latency Performance), the higher consumption on CPU, the lower image quality.
4. Downscale Output Resolution and Frame Rate
It makes sense that CPU may have kicked into a higher performance mode running at 1080p compared with 720p. As 1080p doubled the numbers of pixels in each frame, the CPU usage will be elevated accordingly. As higher res causes more strains on CPU, the conventional way to lower down CPU usage is to downscale your output resolution [if your Base (Canvas) Resolution is 1080p or higher, 720p is recommended for you as the Output Resolution].
As for the frame rate, we recommend you have it at 30 FPS or lower. If you are streaming above 30 FPS, the CPU consumption will be really high, dragging the computer to really slow.
Adjust resolution and frame rate in OBS: File > Settings > Video > Output (Scaled) Resolution > Common FPS Values > OK/Apply.
5. Try OBS Studio Alternative
After you have tried the above mentioned workouts on OBS Studio, yet little performances have been improved in the wake of all optimizational processes. Next, you are supposed to try some alternatives for OBS Studio. If recording is all you required for, then you can have a go with VideoProc.
- One-piece lightweight software (49.2MB) with no malware attached, appreciated by 90% active users;
- Most intuitive user interface and best parameters preset, extraordinarily handy to use for novices;
- Screen, Webcam, and Screen & Webcam three modes are available to be choosen for your needs;
- Both software encoding and hardware rendering are well supported in VideoProc, no encoding overloaded.