Effective Ways to Fix OBS Encoding Overloaded Error

Joshua Hill

Updated on 2021-10-08

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Do you want to know how to fix the OBS encoding overloaded error? If so, then you’ll be glad to know that you’re in the perfect place!

OBS is arguably one of the most popular streaming and screen recording software mainly because of its many customizable settings, Twitch compatibility, highly intuitive user interface and ultimate video editing tools. However, OBS users often have to face different errors and bugs encountered by the software preventing proper use of the program.

This article is based on one of these most common errors faced by OBS users – OBS encoding overloaded error. In the guide, you will be instructed on some probable reasons why you might be facing this issue as well as corresponding solutions for all possible scenarios. With that said, let’s get straight into the guide!

Part 1. Why Do I Get OBS Encoding Overloaded Error?

Before you dive straight into the solutions, you need to know why you’re encountering the OBS encoding overload error. Here are some of the most common scenarios reported by users encountering this issue.

• Your PC’s CPU might be insufficient for proper use of the OBS software.
• The frame rate parameter might be overpowering your GPU.
• The available disk storage is insufficient for the recording.
• The screen resolution might be too high and unsupported by your computer.

• A third-party streaming application might conflict with OBS leading to several errors.

  

Part 2. How to Fix Encoding Overloaded on OBS?

For this section, we’ve analyzed the several different solutions to fix the encoder overloaded OBS error and handpicked the 7 simplest, reliable, and effective solutions for you to try. Be sure to go through each method and figure out what works best for you.

Method One. Lower Frame Rate

The frame rate determines the amount of frames captured per second during the screen recording. A high frame rate could severely affect your GPU leading to certain errors like the OBS encoder overload. Follow the steps below to lower the frame rate for screen recording by OBS.

1. Go to ‘Settings’ from OBS.

2. Go to the ‘Video’ tab and select ‘Common FPS Values’.

   
3. Choose a low Frame rate such as 30 or lower.
4. Press ‘Apply’ and hit ‘OK’. Restart your computer and check to see if the error still occurs.

Method Two. Drop Output Resolution

High output resolution could seriously burden your CPU and lead to complications. In this case, you need to lower your output resolution to try and fix the OBS Studio encoding overloaded error. Follow the steps below to do so.

1. Launch OBS Studio and go to ‘Settings’.

2. Go to the ‘Video’ tab and select ‘Output (Scaled) Resolution’.

   
3. Select a resolution setting lower than what you’re already using.
4. Hit ‘Apply’ and press ‘OK’.

Method Three. Modify Process Priority

In some cases, you would need to optimize your computer to run OBS smoothly on it. The simplest way of doing so is by prioritizing the process with the help of Task Manager. Doing so will dedicate more CPU use for the OBS processes and thus, lowering the possibility of various incompatibility errors.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete from your keyboard and select ‘Task Manager’.
2. From the ‘Processes’ tab, locate the OBS process. Right click on it and select ‘Go to details’.

3. Right click OBS from ‘Details’. Go to ‘Set Priority’ and select ‘Above normal’.

   

Method Four. Clean Up Hard Drive

OBS also requires a great amount of storage space for several operations crucial for proper use. If the available space on your disk is insufficient, then you could encounter certain errors.

1. Launch ‘File Explorer’.
2. Right click on the drive that requires cleaning and select ‘Properties’.

3. From the ‘General’ tab, select ‘Disk Cleanup’.

   

Method Five. Change Encoder Preset

You can change the OBS encoder preset to balance the CPU usage and video quality. By selecting a faster encoder preset, much lower amount of CPU resources will be utilized and thus, prevent several errors like OBS encoding overloaded.

1. Launch OBS and go to ‘Settings’.
2. Select ‘Output’.

3. From the ‘Streaming’ block, change the encoder preset from ‘veryfast’ to ‘superfast’ or ‘ultrafast’.

   

Method Six. Try Hardware Encoding

By using hardware encoding, you can reduce CPU usage and thus, resolve OBS encoder overload error. Follow the steps below to do so.

1. Launch OBS and go to ‘Settings’.
2. Go to the ‘Output’ tab and select ‘Advanced’ for ‘Output Mode’.

3. Afterward, from the encoder menu, select the available hardware encoder.

   

Method Seven. Disable Game Mode

If Game Mode is activated on your computer, then the CPU will not be fully dedicated to OBS. In this case, you need to disable Game Mode on your computer.

1. Press Windows + I on your keyboard to launch ‘Settings’.

2. Go to ‘Gaming’ and select ‘Game Mode’.

   

Part 3. The Final Method to Fix OBS Encoding Overloaded

If none of the above solutions seemed to resolve your OBS encoder Overload error, then you should look for an alternate to replace the OBS Studio. In those regards, HitPaw Online Screen Recorder proves to be the perfect alternate tool to OBS. With HitPaw Online Screen Recorder, you can record your screen with ease! Here are a few pros for the HitPaw Online Screen Recorder that makes it a perfect alternate for OBS Studio.

• Since it is a web-based tool; therefore, there is no need to download any software to use the HitPaw Online Screen Recorder.
• The HitPaw Online Screen Recorder is absolutely free to use!
• The tool allows you to convert your recorded videos into GIF files to easily share them with your friends.
• HitPaw Online Screen Recorder offers three separate recording modes – Entire Screen, Application Window, and Chrome Tab.
• It allows you to record your screen in high definition with great frame rate.

Final Thought

Now, you don’t need to worry about the OBS encoding overloaded error. You can try above 7 methods to fix it. If you still cannot solve the problem, all you should do is look for the perfect alternate tool for OBS, such as HitPaw Online Screen Recorder, and start using it for all your screen recording needs!

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