Connect Your Webcam in OBS in Three Steps

To add your webcam to OBS Studio, open the program, go to the Sources panel at the bottom of the screen, click the plus icon, select Video Capture Device, and choose your webcam from the dropdown menu. OBS will then display your webcam feed in the preview window. The whole process takes about 30 seconds once OBS is running.

Your webcam must be plugged in and recognized by your computer before you start. If you're using a USB webcam, plug it in at least 10 seconds before opening OBS to give your operating system time to detect it. Built-in laptop cameras are usually detected automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Open OBS, click the plus icon in the Sources panel, and select Video Capture Device to add your webcam.
  • If your webcam doesn't appear in the dropdown menu, unplug it, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in, and restart OBS.
  • You can resize and position your webcam feed by clicking and dragging it in the preview window.
  • Check your camera's permissions in Windows or Mac settings if OBS asks for access but your webcam stays black.
  • Multiple webcams can be added to the same scene by repeating the Video Capture Device step for each camera.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Adding a Webcam

Launch OBS Studio and look at the bottom of the window. You'll see a panel labeled Sources with a list of items (it may be empty when you start). Below that list is a row of icons. Click the plus sign icon—this opens a menu of source types you can add.

From the menu that appears, click Video Capture Device. A dialog box will open asking you to name this source. The default name is usually fine (like "Video Capture Device" or your camera model), but you can type a custom name if you want—for example, "Webcam" or "Front Camera." Click OK to continue.

A second dialog will open showing your camera settings. In the dropdown menu labeled Device, you'll see your webcam listed by name. Click on it to select it. If you have multiple cameras connected, each will appear in this list. Once you've selected your camera, click OK. Your webcam feed should now appear in the preview window in the center of OBS.

Resize and Position Your Webcam in the Scene

Once your webcam appears in the preview, you can move and resize it. Click on the webcam feed in the preview window and drag it to a new position. The red outline shows the edges of your scene—anything outside this outline won't be visible when you stream or record.

To resize the camera, click on one of the small squares at the corners or edges of the webcam feed and drag outward to make it larger or inward to make it smaller. Hold Shift while dragging a corner to keep the image proportional and avoid stretching. If you want to rotate the camera 90 degrees, right-click on the source in the Sources panel and look for a Transform option.

Troubleshoot When Your Webcam Won't Show Up

If your webcam doesn't appear in the Device dropdown menu, the most common cause is that your computer hasn't detected it yet. Unplug the USB cable from your webcam, wait 10 full seconds, and plug it back in. Then close OBS completely and reopen it. The camera should now appear in the list.

On Windows, check that no other program is using your camera. Some video chat apps lock the camera so OBS can't access it. Close any open browser tabs, Zoom, Skype, or other programs that might be using the camera, then try adding it to OBS again. On Mac, OBS may ask for camera permission the first time you try to use it—click Allow in the system dialog that appears.

If your camera is listed in the Device dropdown but the preview shows a black screen, the camera may not have permission to run. On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and make sure the toggle for OBS is turned on. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Camera and add OBS to the list of apps allowed to use the camera.

Adjust Camera Settings for Better Image Quality

After you've added your webcam, you can fine-tune how it looks. In the Sources panel, right-click on your webcam source and select Properties. A settings window will open with options like brightness, contrast, and saturation. Adjust these sliders to match your lighting and preference, then click OK.

If your camera feed looks blurry or pixelated, check the Resolution dropdown in the Properties window. Higher resolutions (like 1080p) look sharper but use more of your computer's processing power. If your computer is struggling, try 720p instead. The Frame Rate setting controls how many images per second the camera captures—30 fps is standard for most uses, and 60 fps is smoother but requires more power.

Add Multiple Webcams to One Scene

If you have more than one camera connected, you can display both in the same scene. Repeat the steps above: click the plus icon in Sources, select Video Capture Device, and choose the second camera from the Device dropdown. Name it something different (like "Webcam 2" or "Side Camera") so you can tell them apart in the Sources list.

Position the second camera in the preview window just like the first one. You can place them side by side, one in a corner, or any other layout you prefer. Each camera can be resized and moved independently. If you want to switch between cameras during a stream or recording instead of showing both at once, create separate scenes—one for each camera—and switch between them using the Scenes panel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't forget to check that your webcam is actually plugged in before you open OBS. A USB camera needs power, and a loose connection is the most common reason a camera won't show up. If you're using a laptop's built-in camera, make sure no physical privacy shutter is blocking the lens.

Avoid placing your camera too close to a bright light source like a window or lamp—this causes the image to wash out or become too dark. Position your light source in front of you, not behind you. If your camera feed looks upside down or sideways, right-click the source in OBS, select Transform, and choose the correct rotation.

Don't add the same camera twice by accident. If you see two identical sources in your Sources panel, delete one by right-clicking and selecting Remove. Having the same camera listed twice can cause lag or unexpected behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my webcam show in OBS but the image is black?

A black image usually means OBS doesn't have permission to use your camera. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and turn on the toggle for OBS. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Camera and add OBS to the allowed apps list. After you change the permission, close and reopen OBS.

Can I use my phone as a webcam in OBS?

Yes, but you need a third-party app. On Android, apps like DroidCam or EpocCam let you connect your phone to your computer over USB or Wi-Fi and use it as a camera. On iPhone, EpocCam and similar apps work the same way. Install the app on your phone, install the companion software on your computer, connect them, and then add the phone camera as a Video Capture Device in OBS.

How do I switch between two webcams during a live stream?

Create two separate scenes in OBS—one with Camera 1 and one with Camera 2. During your stream, click on the scene you want to show in the Scenes panel. The preview will switch to that camera, and your audience will see the change. You can also use the Transition dropdown to add a fade or cut effect between cameras.

What if OBS says my camera is already in use?

Another program is using your camera. Close all browser tabs, video chat apps (Zoom, Skype, Teams), and any other software that might access the camera. Restart OBS after closing these programs. On Windows, you can also check Task Manager to see which apps are running and close any that use the camera.

Can I use an old USB camera that's several years old?

Most older USB cameras work fine with OBS, but very old cameras (more than 10 years old) may not be recognized by modern operating systems. Plug it in and see if it appears in the Device dropdown. If it doesn't show up after waiting 10 seconds and restarting OBS, your computer may not have drivers for that camera model. Check the camera manufacturer's website to see if updated drivers are available for your operating system.