Connect your webcam and open OBS

To add a webcam to OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), plug your webcam into a USB port on your computer, or connect it via your computer's built-in camera if you are using a laptop. OBS will detect most webcams automatically once they are physically connected. Open OBS and wait a few seconds for the software to recognize the device.

If you are using a built-in laptop camera, it is already connected — you just need to open OBS. The software runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and the steps are the same across all three.

Key Takeaways

  • Plug your webcam into a USB port or use your laptop's built-in camera, then open OBS and wait for the software to detect it.
  • In the Sources panel at the bottom left, click the plus icon and select "Video Capture Device" from the menu.
  • Choose your webcam from the dropdown list and click "Create New" to add it to your scene.
  • Resize and position the webcam feed in your scene by dragging the corners and edges of the preview window.
  • Test your webcam by clicking the eye icon next to the source to toggle it on and off before you start streaming or recording.

Add a Video Capture Device source in OBS

Look at the bottom left of the OBS window for the Sources panel. This is where you add cameras, audio, images, and other elements to your broadcast or recording. Click the plus icon (or the plus sign button labeled "Add") at the bottom of the Sources list.

A menu will appear with different source types. Select Video Capture Device from this menu. This tells OBS you are adding a camera or webcam, not a screen capture or image file.

Select your webcam from the device list

A dialog box titled "Create/Select Source" will open. In the dropdown menu labeled Device, you will see a list of cameras connected to your computer. Select your webcam by name — it might say "USB Camera", "Logitech HD Webcam", or the actual brand and model of your device.

If you see only one option in the dropdown, that is your webcam. If you see multiple options and are not sure which one is your webcam, unplug it and look at the list again — the one that disappears is your camera. Plug it back in, select it from the dropdown, and click OK.

Adjust the webcam size and position

Once you click OK, your webcam feed will appear in the main preview window in the center of OBS. You will see a rectangle with handles (small squares) at the corners and edges. Click and drag these handles to resize the webcam feed to the size you want. Drag the center of the rectangle to move it to a different position on your screen.

If the webcam feed is upside down or mirrored, right-click on the source in the Sources panel and look for Transform options. You can flip it horizontally or vertically from this menu. Some webcams have their own software that also lets you adjust the image — check the manufacturer's website if you need to change brightness, contrast, or focus.

Test your webcam before streaming or recording

Before you start a live stream or recording, test that your webcam is working correctly. Look at the preview window and make sure you can see yourself clearly. Click the eye icon next to your webcam source in the Sources panel to toggle it on and off — this lets you see what your audience will see when the camera is active.

Check that the image is in focus and that the lighting is good. If the picture is too dark, move closer to a light source or adjust your room lighting. If the image is blurry, move the camera slightly until it focuses, or check if your webcam has a focus ring you can turn by hand.

Troubleshoot if your webcam does not appear

If OBS does not detect your webcam after you plug it in, try these steps. First, unplug the webcam and plug it into a different USB port — some ports may not provide enough power. Wait 10 seconds and see if it appears in the Device dropdown menu.

If it still does not show up, restart OBS completely. Close the process and open it again. If you are on Windows, check that no other process is using the webcam — some video chat programs lock the camera so other software cannot access it. Close any open video chat windows and try again.

If your webcam came with driver software, install it from the manufacturer's website or the disc that came in the box. Some older or specialized cameras need drivers before OBS can see them. After installing the driver, restart your computer and try adding the camera to OBS again.

Use multiple webcams in the same scene

You can add more than one webcam to a single scene in OBS. Repeat the steps above — click the plus icon in Sources, select Video Capture Device, and choose a different camera from the Device dropdown. Each webcam will appear as a separate source in the Sources panel, and you can resize and position each one independently.

This is useful if you want to show two angles of the same subject, or if you are streaming with a co-host and want both of you visible at the same time. Just make sure your computer has enough processing power to handle multiple video streams — if your broadcast starts to lag or stutter, you may need to lower the resolution of one or both cameras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my webcam feed upside down or backwards?

Right-click on the webcam source in the Sources panel and select Transform. Choose Flip Horizontal to mirror the image left-to-right, or Flip Vertical to flip it upside down. Some webcams also have their own software that includes rotation settings.

Can I use my phone as a webcam in OBS?

Not directly through the Video Capture Device option. You can use third-party apps like Droidcam or Iriun Webcam that turn your phone into a virtual camera your computer recognizes. Install the app on your phone and the companion software on your computer, then add it as a Video Capture Device in OBS.

My webcam works in other programs but not in OBS. What do I do?

OBS may not have permission to access your camera. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and make sure OBS is listed and enabled. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Camera and add OBS to the list of allowed applications.

How do I reduce the lag or delay from my webcam?

Right-click the webcam source in Sources and select Properties. Look for a setting called Buffering or Latency and set it to the lowest value. You can also try lowering the camera resolution in the Device properties if your computer is struggling to keep up.

Can I add a security camera or IP camera to OBS?

Security cameras and IP cameras do not work as Video Capture Devices. Instead, use the Media Source option if the camera has an RTMP or RTSP stream URL, or use Browser Source if the camera has a web interface you can view in a browser window.