Struggling with OBS showing a black screen when trying to capture CS2 (Counter-Strike 2) or Valorant gameplay? You're not alone. This frustrating issue affects thousands of streamers and content creators daily, often caused by anti-cheat systems, graphics drivers, or OBS configuration problems. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through 12 proven methods to fix OBS game capture black screen issues and get your stream back online.
📋 Table of Contents
Understanding OBS Black Screen Issues
OBS Game Capture black screens occur when the software cannot properly hook into the game's rendering process. Common causes include:
- Anti-cheat interference: Vanguard (Valorant) and VAC (CS2) blocking OBS hooks
- Graphics driver conflicts: Outdated or incompatible GPU drivers
- Game running as administrator: Permission mismatches between OBS and games
- Fullscreen optimizations: Windows display settings interfering with capture
- Hardware acceleration issues: Conflicts between OBS and GPU acceleration
Both CS2 and Valorant use robust anti-cheat systems that can interfere with screen capture software, making these games particularly challenging to stream.
Quick Fixes to Try First
These immediate solutions resolve 60% of OBS black screen issues:
1. Run OBS as Administrator
- Right-click OBS Studio icon
- Select "Run as administrator"
- Confirm UAC prompt
- Try Game Capture again
2. Restart Both OBS and the Game
- Close OBS completely
- Exit CS2/Valorant entirely
- Restart OBS as administrator
- Launch your game and test capture
3. Switch to Window Capture
- Remove existing Game Capture source
- Add "Window Capture" source
- Select your game window from dropdown
- Enable "Capture Cursor" if needed
4. Toggle Game Capture Mode
- Select Game Capture source
- In Properties, change "Mode" to "Capture specific window"
- Select your game from the "Window" dropdown
- Test different "Capture Method" options
OBS Configuration Solutions
Optimize Game Capture Settings
Configure your Game Capture source with these proven settings:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capture specific window | More reliable than fullscreen capture |
| Window | [your-game.exe] | Target specific game process |
| Window Match Priority | Match title, otherwise find window | Handles game restarts better |
| Capture Method | Try all options | Different methods work for different systems |
| Use anti-cheat compatibility hook | Enabled | Essential for CS2 and Valorant |
| Capture Cursor | Enabled | Shows mouse cursor in stream |
Audio Output Capture Fix
- Add "Audio Output Capture" source
- Set to "Default" or your main audio device
- This captures game audio when Game Capture fails
GPU Settings in OBS
- File → Settings → Advanced
- Set "Renderer" to "Direct3D 11"
- Enable "Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration"
- Restart OBS
Graphics Driver & Hardware Solutions
Update Graphics Drivers
For NVIDIA Users:
- Download latest NVIDIA drivers
- Perform clean installation using "Custom installation"
- Check "Perform clean installation"
- Restart computer after installation
For AMD Users:
- Download AMD Software
- Use "Factory Reset" option during installation
- Restart and test OBS capture
NVIDIA Control Panel Settings
- Right-click desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel
- Navigate to "Manage 3D Settings"
- Add OBS Studio to program list
- Set these preferences:
- Power management mode: Prefer maximum performance
- Preferred graphics processor: High-performance NVIDIA processor
Windows Graphics Preferences
- Windows Settings → System → Display
- Click "Graphics settings"
- Add OBS Studio as "Desktop app"
- Set to "High performance"
- Repeat for CS2 and Valorant
CS2 & Valorant Specific Fixes
Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Solutions
Launch Options Method:
- Open Steam → Right-click CS2
- Properties → General → Launch Options
- Add:
-windowed -noborder -allow_third_party_software - Launch CS2 and test OBS capture
Trusted Mode Bypass:
- Add to CS2 launch options:
-untrusted - Note: This may affect some game features
- Use only for streaming/recording sessions
Valorant Solutions
Vanguard Anti-Cheat Workaround:
- Exit Valorant completely
- Open Task Manager
- End "vgtray.exe" process
- Start OBS as administrator
- Launch Valorant (Vanguard will restart)
- Try Game Capture immediately
Borderless Windowed Mode:
- In Valorant: Settings → Video → General
- Set "Display Mode" to "Windowed Fullscreen"
- This often works better with OBS capture
Universal Game Settings
- Disable fullscreen optimizations:
- Right-click game executable
- Properties → Compatibility
- Check "Disable fullscreen optimizations"
- Run as administrator (for both games)
- Set games to "High" priority in Task Manager
Alternative Capture Methods
Display Capture as Backup
- Add "Display Capture" source
- Select your gaming monitor
- Crop the source to show only game area
- Note: This captures everything on that display
Streamlabs Desktop vs OBS Studio
If OBS Studio fails consistently:
- Try Streamlabs Desktop
- Use OBS Studio 29.0+ (latest version)
- Consider XSplit as alternative streaming software
Hardware Capture Solutions
For consistent streaming, consider:
- Elgato HD60 S+: External capture card
- Two-PC setup: Dedicated streaming computer
- NVIDIA ShadowPlay: Built-in recording alternative
Advanced Troubleshooting
OBS Log Analysis
- Help → Log Files → Upload Current Log File
- Copy the provided URL
- Analyze errors in the log
- Look for "Failed to hook" or "Access denied" messages
Windows Compatibility Mode
- Right-click OBS executable
- Properties → Compatibility
- Try "Windows 8" compatibility mode
- Enable "Run as administrator"
Registry Fixes (Advanced Users)
- Press Win + R, type
regedit - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM - Create DWORD:
EnableAeroPeek, set value to0 - Restart computer
Clean OBS Installation
- Uninstall OBS completely
- Delete remaining folders in AppData
- Download latest OBS from official website
- Install with administrator privileges
Prevention & Optimization Tips
System Optimization
- Close unnecessary programs: Free up system resources
- Disable Game Mode: Windows Settings → Gaming → Game Mode (Off)
- Update Windows: Keep OS current for compatibility
- Monitor temperatures: Ensure proper cooling during streaming
OBS Maintenance
- Regular updates: Check for OBS updates monthly
- Scene optimization: Limit number of sources per scene
- Plugin management: Remove unused OBS plugins
- Profile backups: Export OBS settings regularly
Streaming Best Practices
| Aspect | Recommendation | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Game Settings | Windowed Fullscreen | Easier alt-tabbing and capture |
| OBS Priority | Above Normal | Stable capture performance |
| Recording Format | MP4 (for highlights) | Better compatibility |
| Stream Output | Hardware encoding when available | Reduced CPU load |
See Also:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Game Capture work sometimes but not others?
This usually indicates anti-cheat interference or permission conflicts. Try running OBS as administrator consistently and ensure games aren't running in exclusive fullscreen mode.
Does using Window Capture affect stream quality?
Window Capture can be slightly less efficient than Game Capture but quality difference is minimal. It's often more reliable for games with aggressive anti-cheat systems.
Can I stream CS2 and Valorant simultaneously?
No, both games use kernel-level anti-cheat that prevents running simultaneously. You'll need to close one game before launching the other.
Why does my OBS show black screen only in fullscreen games?
Fullscreen exclusive mode can block OBS hooks. Switch to borderless windowed mode or disable Windows fullscreen optimizations for the game.
Is it safe to disable Vanguard to fix OBS issues?
You cannot disable Vanguard while playing Valorant - it's required. Instead, use the workaround of restarting Vanguard after starting OBS, or use alternative capture methods.
Should I use GPU or CPU encoding while streaming these games?
Use GPU encoding (NVENC/AMD VCE) if available - it reduces CPU load, allowing better game performance. CPU encoding provides slightly better quality at higher bitrates.
Why does Display Capture work but Game Capture doesn't?
Display Capture bypasses game hooks entirely, while Game Capture requires direct access to the game's rendering. Anti-cheat software often blocks the latter but not the former.
Can outdated Windows versions cause OBS black screen?
Yes, Windows 10 version 1903+ or Windows 11 are recommended for best OBS compatibility. Older versions may have DirectX or graphics API conflicts.
How do I know if my graphics driver is causing the issue?
Try using Display Capture instead of Game Capture. If Display Capture works fine, the issue is likely driver-related or game-specific rather than a general system problem.
What's the difference between Game Capture modes in OBS?
"Capture any fullscreen application" automatically detects games but is less reliable. "Capture specific window" targets a particular game window and works better with modern anti-cheat systems.
💡 Pro Tip
Create multiple scenes in OBS: one with Game Capture for when it works, and another with Window/Display Capture as backup. This allows quick switching during stream without interruption.
For additional support, visit the OBS Community Forums or check game-specific streaming guides on Reddit's OBS community.