# Nothing shows up in OBS
### Common causes for no video showing up in OBS are the following:
* Check OBS hardware acceleration settings
* Enable or disable "Browser Source Hardware Acceleration" in OBS advanced settings
* Run OBS as Administrator (for Windows users)
* This can resolve permission-related issues affecting video capture
* Try a different network connection
* Switch between WiFi and cellular, or use a VPN to bypass potential network restrictions, or disable any VPN in use
* Your stream ID changed, entered incorrectly, or other setting / parameter is incorrect
* Try using a different browser to publish with; try Firefox, Edge, Chrome, or even the [native app](https://docs.vdo.ninja/steves-helper-apps/native-mobile-app-versions).
### If suffering from choppy video,
* Switch to Ethernet or try to [improve your WiFI ](https://docs.vdo.ninja/common-errors-and-known-issues/packet-loss)/ Internet connection
* Increase the [video bitrate](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/video-bitrate-parameters/bitrate), especially if[ streaming a game](https://docs.vdo.ninja/guides/how-to-screen-share-in-1080p)
* Ensure your computer is not overloaded, especially in [larger group rooms](#performance-optimization)
* If issues only exist for guests in a room, consider using [\&meshcast](https://docs.vdo.ninja/steves-helper-apps/meshcast.io) or increase the [total room bitrate](https://docs.vdo.ninja/advanced-settings/video-bitrate-parameters/totalroombitrate)
{% content-ref url="packet-loss" %}
[packet-loss](https://docs.vdo.ninja/common-errors-and-known-issues/packet-loss)
{% endcontent-ref %}
## VDO.Ninja Troubleshooting Guide
### Platform-Specific Issues
#### Windows
* Ensure that the "Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration" checkbox is checked in the advanced settings.
* If you get black video when it's checked:
* Try unchecking the Hardware Acceleration checkbox (may be choppy and use more CPU)
* Run OBS Studio as an Administrator
* Update OBS Studio to the newest version (fully uninstall old version first)
* If using OBS 64-bit, try the 32-bit version instead
* Enable Compatibility Mode for OBS (right-click OBS icon → properties)
* Ensure you have started in Administrator mode
Make sure that the custom frame rate is not set
#### macOS
* Old versions of OBS, such as OBS v24 to v26.0 do not natively support VDO.Ninja, but version 26.1.2 and newer does.
* Use the Electron Capture app if you are using a non-compatible version of OBS. > [Get it here](https://github.com/steveseguin/electroncapture) <
#### Mobile Devices
* For Android smartphones, try using Firefox instead of Chrome if having issues
* For Samsung A-series smartphones (especially Galaxy A12), try different browsers or the native Android app
* Restart your smartphone if it suddenly stops working properly
* Commonly when this happens the video output might be just black
### Network and Connectivity Issues
#### General Network Troubleshooting
* Run the speed test at or to verify the connection works
* Use diagnostic tools at , , or to ensure WebRTC is enabled
* Check the stats while using VDO.NInja by adding `&stats` to the VDO.Ninja URL
* If video is choppy, ensure there is no packet loss and that your computer is not overloaded
#### Firewall and Security Issues
* If in Iran, China, Russia, or other sanctioned/restricted country, WebRTC may be blocked; try using a VPN or self-host VDO.Ninja instead.
* If behind a corporate firewall or corporate VPN, try switching to cellular network or talking to your IT department. You may just need to switch a personal device on a cellular network.
* If using PFSense or a PiHole:
* Try bypassing it or using a different network
* Whitelist the IP address of the remote camera source
* Allow webRTC-related UDP traffic to prevent frame loss
* Disable any anti-virus or other security software temporarily for testing
* Make sure you have not disabled webRTC in your browser settings
* If using Brave or other privacy focused browser, ensure the VPN isn't turned on
* Try a different browser in general, or a different computer/network
#### Connection Types
* If on cellular, try switching to a different network
* If issues persist on one network type, try another (WiFi vs. cellular)
* Try with or without a VPN, such as speedify.com, to see if it helps.
* Speedify does offer a 1GB free usage tier I believe that's suitable for testing
#### Certain Browsers
* Some browsers or browser extensions will block WebRTC
* De-Googled Chromium has a `WebRTC IP Policy` that blocks VDO.Ninja, which you can change in the `chrome://flags` menu.
* Brave browser with premium VPN service may block VDO.Ninja
* Some other security or privacy focused browsers may block VDO.Ninja
* It's also possible that some browsers are configured to block UDP, IP leaking, or WebRTC in other ways, so trying OTHER browsers is suggested.
### Performance Optimization
#### Hardware Issues
* Update your graphics card drivers, especially after a fresh install
* Switch the GPU used by OBS if using an NVidia GPU (via Nvidia control center)
* For laptops:
* Check this guide:
* Disable power-saving mode
* Connect power directly to wall outlet
#### Resource Usage
* If your computer is running at high CPU/GPU load:
* Lower browser source resolution to 1280x720 or even 640x360
* Try using H264 codec (add `&codec=h264` to the view links)
* Specify custom frame rate of 30 in browser source options
* Try adding \&meshcast to your push link to use the SFU service
#### Video Codec Options
* Try different video codecs by adding parameters:
* `&codec=h264` (often best for performance)
* `&codec=vp9` (may help with specific devices)
### OBS-Specific Solutions
#### Hardware Acceleration
* If hardware acceleration is unchecked, check it and restart
* If it's checked but not working, try unchecking it
* In OBS Settings → Advanced menu, try toggling "Browser source hardware acceleration"\
#### Alternative Solutions
* Download Electron Capture app instead of using OBS browser source:[ http://electroncapture.app](http://electroncapture.app)
* Consider using Cloud-hosted version of OBS (Paperspace or AWS with Parsec)
#### OBS WHIP Issues
* WHIP protocol may have NAT traversal issues (not fully supported yet)
* Can't publish WHIP via OBS outside your LAN? [Download our patched OBS version](https://backup.vdo.ninja/OBS_VDO_Ninja.zip). [\[source\]](https://github.com/steveseguin/obs-studio/)
* Try alternative connection methods if WHIP fails to connect
#### H.265/HEVC Not Supported in OBS Browser Sources
* OBS Browser sources currently do not support H.265 (HEVC) video playback
* This is a limitation of the Chromium version bundled with OBS, which lacks H.265 decoding support
* If you're trying to use VDO.Ninja to play a WHIP or WHEP stream encoded with H.265, it will not display in OBS
* Workarounds:
* Re-encode the source stream using H.264 instead of H.265
* Use the [Electron Capture app](http://electroncapture.app) which does support H.265 playback
* Wait for a future OBS update that includes a newer Chromium version with H.265 support
### Additional Recommendations
* Restart all devices involved (computer, phone, router) before extended troubleshooting
* If a device was working before but suddenly isn't, try a simple restart first
* For persistent issues, consider trying an entirely different device or browser
* Consider network congestion during peak hours as a possible cause of intermittent issues
* If you're experiencing issues with PFSense, check its logs for blocked connections
* Make sure you haven't limited the frame rate in the OBS browser source to something like 30-fps
* Always update to the latest browser versions as WebRTC support improves with each update
* Try an older version of VDO.Ninja, such as
