How to Show Any App in OBS Studio: Step-by-Step Guide for Game Capture and Windows Apps

OBS Studio is one of the most powerful and widely used tools for screen recording and live streaming. Whether you are broadcasting gameplay, presenting software tutorials, or hosting live webinars, knowing how to properly display any application inside OBS is essential. While the interface may seem overwhelming at first, the process becomes straightforward once you understand the available capture methods and how they work.

TL;DR: To show any app in OBS Studio, add a new Source and select the correct capture method: Game Capture for games, Window Capture for specific applications, or Display Capture for your entire screen. Configure the source properties carefully to match the app you want to display. If the app does not appear, adjust compatibility settings, run OBS as administrator, or switch the capture mode. Testing your setup before going live ensures professional and glitch-free results.

Understanding OBS Sources and Scene Structure

Before capturing any app, it is important to understand how OBS organizes content. OBS works with two core components:

• Scenes – Layout collections that contain multiple sources.
• Sources – Individual elements such as game capture, windows, images, webcams, or microphones.

When you want to show an app, you are essentially adding a new Source to a Scene. You can create multiple scenes for different purposes, such as gameplay, tutorials, or interviews.

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Method 1: Using Game Capture (Best for Full-Screen Games)

Game Capture is optimized specifically for video games and applications that use graphics APIs like DirectX, Vulkan, or OpenGL. It provides better performance and fewer capture issues compared to general screen capture methods.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. In the Sources box, click the + icon.
3. Select Game Capture.
4. Name the source (for example, “Gameplay”) and click OK.
5. In the properties window, choose a capture mode:

• Capture any fullscreen application – Automatically detects full-screen games.
• Capture specific window – Select a particular game from the dropdown.
• Capture foreground window with hotkey – Switch to active game when triggered.

After selecting the appropriate mode, click OK. Launch your game if it is not already running, and the preview window should display it.

When to Use Game Capture

• You are recording or streaming full-screen games.
• You need the highest performance and lowest CPU overhead.
• Other capture methods show a black screen.

Professional Tip: If the game does not appear, try running OBS as Administrator. Some games require matching privilege levels to be captured properly.

Method 2: Using Window Capture (Best for Specific Applications)

If you want to show a browser, editing software, productivity tool, or a windowed game, Window Capture is usually the most appropriate option.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Click the + icon in the Sources panel.
3. Select Window Capture.
4. Name the source and click OK.
5. Choose the target application from the Window dropdown list.
6. Click OK to confirm.

The app should now appear in the preview window. You can resize, crop, or reposition it as needed inside your scene.

Advantages of Window Capture

• Captures only the selected application.
• Prevents viewers from seeing other open programs.
• Ideal for tutorials and presentations.

Common Issues and Fixes

Black Screen Problem:

• Ensure OBS and the target app use the same GPU (especially on laptops with integrated and dedicated graphics).
• Switch the capture method between Automatic, BitBlt, and Windows Graphics Capture in properties.
• Disable hardware acceleration in the application (commonly needed for browsers).

Method 3: Using Display Capture (Entire Screen Recording)

Display Capture records everything visible on your monitor. This is the simplest method but provides the least privacy control.

How to Enable Display Capture

1. In OBS, click the + icon in Sources.
2. Select Display Capture.
3. Name the source and click OK.
4. Choose the monitor you want to capture (if multiple are connected).
5. Click OK.

This will display your entire desktop environment, including taskbars, notifications, and background applications.

When to Use Display Capture

• You need to switch between multiple apps quickly.
• Game Capture and Window Capture are not functioning.
• You are creating comprehensive walkthroughs.

Important: Be cautious with sensitive information. Disable notifications and close private windows before going live.

Resizing and Adjusting Your Captured App

Once your app appears in OBS, you may need to adjust its layout for professional presentation.

• Click and drag the red bounding box in the preview to resize.
• Hold Alt (Option on macOS) and drag edges to crop.
• Right-click the source and choose Transform for precise alignment options.
• Use Filters to apply scaling or color correction if needed.

Maintaining proper aspect ratio is critical to avoid distortion. Match your canvas resolution under Settings > Video with your recording or streaming resolution.

Capturing Games from Consoles or External Devices

To show console games or external devices, you will need a capture card.

1. Connect the console to the capture card.
2. Connect the capture card to your computer via USB or PCIe.
3. Add a new source in OBS and select Video Capture Device.
4. Choose your capture card from the device list.

This method ensures high-quality, professional gameplay capture without relying on screen-based methods.

Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

Even experienced streamers encounter technical challenges. Below are reliable troubleshooting strategies:

• Run OBS as Administrator: Fixes permission conflicts.
• Match GPU Settings: Configure both OBS and the app to use the same graphics processor.
• Update Graphics Drivers: Outdated drivers cause compatibility issues.
• Disable Conflicting Overlays: Discord, NVIDIA, or Steam overlays may interfere with Game Capture.
• Check Source Order: Ensure the app source is not hidden beneath other sources.

Testing your configuration before going live is a best practice. Record a short sample video and review performance, resolution, and synchronization.

Optimizing Performance for Smooth Capture

Displaying an app is only one part of the setup. Achieving smooth, high-quality recording requires attention to system performance:

• Use Game Capture instead of Display Capture whenever possible.
• Select hardware encoding (NVENC or AMD) if supported by your GPU.
• Adjust bitrate according to your platform requirements.
• Close unnecessary background applications.

Balancing visual quality and system stability demonstrates professionalism and protects your credibility when streaming or presenting.

Final Thoughts

Showing any app in OBS Studio is fundamentally about selecting the right capture method and configuring it properly. Game Capture offers the best performance for full-screen games, Window Capture provides precision for individual applications, and Display Capture delivers flexibility when needed. Each serves a distinct purpose.

By understanding the strengths and limitations of each method, troubleshooting effectively, and optimizing performance settings, you can confidently display games, software, or entire desktops in OBS. A structured approach, combined with careful testing, ensures that your recordings and live streams maintain a professional standard every time.

Mastering these fundamentals positions you to use OBS not just as a recording tool, but as a reliable broadcasting solution suitable for content creators, educators, and professionals alike.