How to Add a Webcam to OBS
In the Sources dock click + → Video Capture Device, create the source, pick your camera under Device and click OK. Then drag it into place, hold Alt (Option on Mac) while dragging an edge to crop, and use Resolution/FPS Type → Custom if the picture is low quality or black.
Add the webcam
- Select the scene you want the camera in, then click + at the bottom of the Sources dock.
- Choose Video Capture Device.
- OBS 32.2 and newer: the Add Source window opens. Click Video Capture Device in the source type list, then click Add a new Video Capture Device. You can rename the source later (right-click → Rename).
- Older versions: pick Video Capture Device from the menu, keep Create new selected, name it (for example “Webcam”) and click OK.
- In the properties window, choose your camera under Device. The preview should show the picture within a second or two.
- Check the resolution settings below, then click OK.
- Drag the webcam where you want it in the preview and resize it by dragging the red corner handles.
macOS: OBS needs camera access. If the camera list is empty or the preview stays black, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and turn on OBS, or use Review App Permissions… in the OBS Studio menu. Restart OBS afterward.
Webcam properties that matter
On Windows the Video Capture Device source has these key settings (right-click the source → Properties to reopen them):
| Setting | Default | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Device | None | Your camera or capture card. |
| Deactivate when not showing | Off | Turn on to release the camera when it isn’t in the current scene. Saves resources and frees the camera for other apps, but the camera needs a moment to start again when you switch back. |
| Resolution/FPS Type | Device Default | Set to Custom to choose exact values. Device Default often picks a low resolution or 30 fps. |
| Resolution | - | Pick from the list the camera reports, for example 1920x1080 or 1280x720. |
| FPS | - | Match Output FPS, Highest FPS or a fixed value. Unsupported combinations give no picture. |
| Video Format | Any | If 1080p only runs at a low frame rate, try MJPEG (if listed). Many USB webcams only reach full frame rate in that format. |
| Buffering | Auto-Detect | Disable gives the lowest latency, which OBS describes as ideal for face cameras. Enable it only if the picture stutters. |
| Flip Vertically | Off | For cameras that deliver an upside-down image. |
| Configure Video | - | Opens the camera driver’s own settings (exposure, focus, white balance) if the driver provides them. |
On macOS the same source offers Device, Use Preset / Preset, and manual Resolution and Frame rate options.
Crop, resize and position
- Crop: hold Alt (Windows/Linux) or Option (macOS) and drag an edge handle. The cropped edge turns green.
- Exact values: select the source and press Ctrl+E (Cmd+E on Mac) for Edit Transform, where you can type position, size and crop in pixels.
- Reset: Ctrl+R / Cmd+R resets the transform if you lose track.
- Crop everywhere: a Crop/Pad effect filter crops the source itself, so the crop applies in every scene that uses it. Transform crops only affect the current scene.
Planning a webcam frame on your overlay? See Twitch overlay sizes for the canvas and typical webcam box dimensions.
Make a round or rounded webcam
OBS doesn’t have a “circle” toggle, but the built-in Image Mask/Blend filter does it with a simple PNG:
- Make a square PNG, for example 1080 × 1080, with a solid white circle (or a rounded rectangle) on a transparent background. Any image editor works.
- Right-click the webcam → Filters, click + under Effect Filters and add Image Mask/Blend.
- Set Type to Alpha Mask (Alpha Channel). Transparent pixels in the image hide the camera, opaque pixels keep it.
- Click Browse next to Path and choose your PNG.
- Leave Stretch Image off so the circle stays round. OBS fits the mask inside the camera frame and centers it.
- Close the filter window and Alt/Option-drag the sides of the source to crop away the empty space left and right of the circle.
Add a ring or border by placing a matching circle-outline PNG as an Image source above the webcam. If you use a green screen, add the Chroma Key filter above the mask. Our OBS green screen guide covers the settings.
Troubleshooting
Camera in use by another app
Most webcams can only be used by one program at a time. Close video-call apps, browser tabs using the camera, the Windows Camera app and vendor tools (Logitech, Razer, NVIDIA Broadcast and similar) unless you route the camera through them deliberately. Then open the source properties and click Deactivate, then Activate, or restart OBS.
If you need the camera in another app while streaming, keep it in OBS and use Start Virtual Camera: other apps can then pick OBS Virtual Camera.
Black screen or no picture
- Re-select the camera under Device, or toggle Deactivate / Activate.
- Set Resolution/FPS Type to Custom and pick a resolution and FPS from the camera’s list. Values the camera doesn’t support produce no picture.
- Try a different Video Format.
- Windows: open Settings → Privacy & security → Camera and make sure Camera access and Let desktop apps access your camera are on.
- Make sure you didn’t add the same camera twice. Use the existing source in other scenes instead of creating a new one.
- Try another USB port, ideally directly on the PC rather than through a hub.
Laggy or out-of-sync webcam
Set Buffering to Disable, choose a resolution and FPS the camera handles natively, and check that the camera isn’t on a crowded USB hub. If your voice and lips don’t match, add a small delay to your mic in Edit → Advanced Audio Properties (Sync Offset) rather than to the camera. Once the camera works, clean up your sound with our OBS mic settings guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my webcam black in OBS?
Most often another app (Zoom, Teams, Discord, a browser tab or a camera utility) is holding the camera. Close it, then click Deactivate and Activate in the source properties. If it stays black, set Resolution/FPS Type to Custom and choose a resolution and FPS the camera supports, and check your OS camera permissions.
Can I use my webcam in OBS and Zoom or Discord at the same time?
Usually not directly, because most webcams can only be opened by one app at a time. Instead, let OBS own the camera and click Start Virtual Camera in OBS, then select OBS Virtual Camera as the camera in the other app.
How do I mirror my webcam in OBS?
Right-click the webcam source → Transform → Flip Horizontal. Flip Vertically in the source properties is for cameras whose image arrives upside down.
How do I use the same webcam in several scenes?
Add the existing source instead of creating a new one: in the Add Source window pick Video Capture Device and choose your camera from the existing sources list (older versions: Add Existing). A second new source for the same camera usually fails because the device is already in use.
Sources: OBS Knowledge Base: Video Capture Sources · OBS Knowledge Base: Sources Guide · OBS Knowledge Base: Image Mask/Blend Filter · OBS Knowledge Base: Crop/Pad Filter · OBS Studio source (Add Source dialog, win-dshow) · Microsoft Support: Camera app permissions in Windows · Apple Support: Control access to the camera on Mac