One of the most common issues that streamers experience is Frame Drops. The most common cause is that the sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More you are streaming is generating more frames than the encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More is configured to. To Fix Frame Drops in OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More, you need to make some concessions in your gaming experience.
What I mean by this, is to utilize a solution that competitive FPS gamers would scoff at – Frame limiting. It sucks that this is the solution, especially since there is demonstratable proof that a higher framerate does improve competitive gameplay performance.
With that said, the drawbacks of having dropped frames aren’t all that detrimental. It simply makes the video playback for your audience feel a little less refined and professional. If you are involved in competitive gameplay for money, my advice is to ignore dropped frames completely – the performance edge is worth the tradeoff.
Table of Contents
What Are Dropped Frames?
Dropped Frames are sections of a video that are thrown away, resulting in stuttering artifacts. These artifacts can make some movements, especially those in first-person games that have absurdly high rendering framerates, feel jerky. The higher the rendering frame rate is compared to the encodingAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More framerate, the more pronounced and frequent the stutters become.
What Causes Dropped Frames?
Frame drops are caused by a render framerate to encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More framerate mismatch. For example, if you render at 100 fps, and the encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More is only configured to handle 60 fps, then it will drop those extra 40 frames every second because the encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More isn’t synced to the fps output. This is the sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More of dropped frames in most cases.
Another cause of dropped frames occurs if the opposite is true. If you are unable to maintain a consistent 60 fps in render performance for the majority of the time, then it will also lose frame synchronization. The resulting stuttering artifacts are on-screen longer than they should be, which feels more like traditional game lag.
There is one final cause of frame drops, which is packet loss. You could be rendering out just fine, and your encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More could be set to the right value, but you can still drop frames if the packets in the final step are lost. This issue is common for users of WIFI, as that protocol is notably vulnerable to interference. How you would fix this problem is to either boost your WIFI Signal strength or opt instead for a powerline adapter or ethernet connection.
You can test for Packet loss using the windows store version of “Speed Test by Ookla.” This page has a handy guide on how to see the information we’re testing for.
Why Frame Limiting Fixes Frame Drops in OBS

To fix frame drops in OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More when you are streaming on TwitchTwitch is a popular, gaming-focused live streaming platform. It is one of the most well-known streamer-first platforms out there and has millions of active streamers and viewers. More or any other platform for that matter, you want to match your render frame rate to that of your streaming framerate at a 1:1 ratio. So if you were to stream at 60 fps, and are able to render above 60 fps in-game, then you want to frame limit your game to 60 fps.
If you are unable to render a consistent 60 fps in-game or above, you’ll have to be more aggressive with the frame limiter, opting for a framerate of 30 fps. In this case, both the game and the encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More need to be set to 30 fps. I say 30 because OBS Studio, in particular, doesn’t do a very good job at encodingAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More at odd fps values that are not multiples of 30.
I know this isn’t the solution you want to hear, especially for those of you who utilize nice 144hz-240hz monitors, but it is the only solution to fixing dropped frames.
How to Frame Limit a Game
In many cases, frame limiting can be done on a per-game basis within their in-game settings, but for a more robust solution, you can enable frame limiting system-wide within your graphics card settings. As there are simply too many games out there to really dive into and walk you through how to frame limit within them, I’m just going to cover how to frame limit a game within your GPU settings.
There are a few benefits to doing this outside of encoderAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More performance, which I’ll explain after.
How to Frame Limit For AMD Card Users:

- Right-click on your desktop
- Click on AMD Radeon Software
- Click on the Gear icon located in the top right of the interface

- Locate and Click on Graphics within the sub-menu that appears within the settings window

- Scroll down until you see “Advanced,” and Expand it
- Just under Advanced is a setting called Frame Rate Target Control. Enable it

- Bring the Slider to 60, or 30 if you are unable to maintain 60 fps in game while streaming.
- Be sure to match this value in your broadcasting program encodingAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More settings – How to do it for OBS Studio for 60 fps
How to Frame Limit for NVIDIA Card Users:

- Right-click on your desktop
- Click on NVIDIA Control Panel
- Under 3D settings in the left navigation bar, click on Manage 3D Settings
- Ensure the Global settings tab is selected
- Scroll down until you locate Max Frame Rate
- Toggle it on, and enter your target frame rate, 60 or 30 in this case.
- Click Apply
I do not have an NVIDIA GPU handy to show screenshots – Refer to this article if you need more visual guidance.
If you do not see the option in the settings following the steps above, then you may need to update your video card drivers.
The Surprising Benefits of Frame Limiting
While you lose out on the maximum potential of your graphics card rendering prowess, there are benefits to using a frame limiter beyond fixing frame drops. For one, because your card isn’t devoting all of its resources to render like crazy, OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More will be more stable. This is because OBSOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More does require some GPU resources to function to its full potential.
If your GPU was pegged at 100%, and nothing was left over for OBS studioOBS stands for Open Broadcaster Software. It is a powerful free broadcasting software with many features that make broadcasting very easy. More, then the encodingAn encoder is a tool that processes a computer screen, webcam, or camera and, in the case of broadcasting, transmits it to an ingest server. Alternatively, it will convert the processed image and audio data into a filetype for recording. More performance would drastically be affected, which can result in a massive number of various artifacts, ranging from compression artifacts color corruption and more.
Another benefit comes to laptop users – frame limiting reduces the power draw of your laptop, which can dramatically extend the period that a battery charge lasts. This is particularly effective because a GPU is far more power efficient at a lower utilization percentage, so you get a lot more battery life out of it vs the extra 20-60 fps you would drive.
Yet another benefit comes in the case that your monitor itself is unable to properly display all that frame rate. Say your display has a maximum of 144 Hz. Well, if you are rendering CS: GO at 240 fps, then the refresh point will change from the bottom and shift around at random points on the screen, resulting in the screen-tearing artifact being visible.
Normally, that tearing is always there, but it is usually locked at the very bottom of the screen so we don’t notice it. Rendering above your monitor’s refresh rate will make it noticeable.
Here Are Some Popular Choices for Streamer Gear
Hey, thanks for reading the article! So I’ve compiled this small resource for you guys in case you may be on the lookout for some handy or helpful things to add to your streaming setup. Some of you may be new to streaming and may not know about this stuff, so I wanted to bring this stuff to your attention.
There are a large number of cool products designed to make the lives of streamers and content creators easier or to improve the quality of their setup. Before I do list them though, I strongly recommend that you do your research and check reviews from multiple sourcesA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More, even beyond those I’ve included here. It is never bad to get a second, third, or even fourth opinion before you make an investment.
Microphones: One of the most popular microphones for live streaming is the Elgato Wave 3 or Wave 1. This microphone is great for streamers because it gives you a ton of control over your audio chain, mimicking some of the features of the venerable GoXLR virtually without all the wires and complexity.
Here are some reviews that you can reference so you can decide whether or not you’d like to get one for yourself:
EposVox Wave 3 Review / Harris Heller(Alpha Gaming) Wave 3 Review / Podcastage Wave 3 Review
Audio Interfaces: For those of you who’d like to not be limited to a single microphone option, then you’re in luck because Elgato now makes the Wave XLR Audio Interface. This device allows you to use any XLRXLR stands for External Line Return. It is a balanced connector for studio-grade audio equipment that is nearly immune to electromagnetic interference. It is most commonly used for condenser and dynamic microphones, audio interfaces, and audio mixers. More microphone, including the ever-popular, but gain hungry SM7B without a cloud lifter, and retain the features of the Wave microphones mentioned above.
Here are some reviews of this audio interface:
EposVox Wave XLR Review / Podcastage Wave XLR Review / Harris Heller Wave XLR Review
Green Screens: A green screen is a common tool used by content creators to give them unparalleled control over their backgrounds for content. Many opt to use a green screen to remove their background entirely and overlay themselves onto the gameplay itself. As for What green screen I recommend, you’ll have to read my article about green screens, because it explains it better than what I can fit here.
LightsLights are a staple of media and content creation. They help create interesting focal points, improve the quality of your webcam or DSLR, and are essential for streamers to ensure consistent lighting. This is especially true for high-action gameplay, where the monitor light can very quickly become an ugly flashing light show if there isn't a key light powerful enough to overpower it. More: Lighting is super important if you care about the quality of your camera feed from your webcam or any camera for that matter. For one, those of you who rely on your monitor for your main sourceA source is a media element that is part of a scene. In OBS Studio, there are many different source types that capture many different things.
• Application Audio Capture (Beta)
• Audio Input Capture
• Audio Output Capture
• Browser
• Color Source
• Display Capture
• Game Capture
• Image
• Image Slide Show
• Media Source
• Scene
• Text (GDI+)
• VLC Video Source
• Video Capture Device
• Window Capture
More of light will have inconsistent lighting that changes based on what your screen is displaying. The best part is that almost any light will do, as any light is better than no light.
With that said, there are better lightsLights are a staple of media and content creation. They help create interesting focal points, improve the quality of your webcam or DSLR, and are essential for streamers to ensure consistent lighting. This is especially true for high-action gameplay, where the monitor light can very quickly become an ugly flashing light show if there isn't a key light powerful enough to overpower it. More that are designed for production purposes that have better color accuracy, are brighter, and have more control. You can check out some of them in my top 5 lights article. Also, having a dim light in your background on a camera sceneA scene is a collection of sources in OBS Studio. It is what viewers will see when you are broadcasting. More will look better.