There’s nothing more frustrating than launching a FiveM stream or recording session in OBS Studio, only to be greeted by a stubborn black screen. Your game runs perfectly, audio is working, but viewers (or your recording) see absolutely nothing. This issue is surprisingly common, especially with FiveM due to how it interacts with GTA V, Windows graphics settings, and GPU configurations. Fortunately, the fix is usually straightforward once you understand what’s causing it.
TLDR: If OBS shows a black screen while capturing FiveM, the most common causes are incorrect display or game capture settings, GPU mismatches between OBS and your game, or improper scene setup. Make sure OBS and FiveM are running on the same graphics processor, use Game Capture with specific window targeting, and double-check Windows graphics preferences. In some cases, running OBS as administrator or switching capture methods solves the problem instantly. Follow the step-by-step breakdown below to eliminate each possible cause.
Why OBS Shows a Black Screen with FiveM
FiveM is a multiplayer modification framework for GTA V, and because it modifies how the game launches and interacts with your system, it can confuse OBS’s capture methods. Black screens typically stem from one or more of the following:
- Incorrect capture source (Display vs Game Capture)
- GPU mismatch between OBS and FiveM
- Improper scene configuration
- Windows graphics settings conflict
- Administrator privilege conflicts
Fixing the issue means systematically working through each possibility until the signal appears correctly.
Step 1: Set Up Your OBS Scene Correctly
Before diving into GPU settings, start with the basics: your scene setup.
In OBS Studio, every recording or stream pulls from a Scene, which contains one or more Sources. If your source is misconfigured or layered incorrectly, you may just be seeing a hidden or inactive capture.
How to properly set up a FiveM scene:
- Open OBS Studio.
- Create a new Scene (click the + under Scenes).
- Name it something like “FiveM Capture.”
- Under Sources, click + and select Game Capture.
- Choose Mode: Capture specific window.
- Select the FiveM window from the dropdown.
If FiveM doesn’t appear in the list, make sure it’s already running before opening the Game Capture settings.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Using Display Capture unnecessarily
- Having another source layered above Game Capture
- Adding multiple captures conflicting with each other
If the preview in OBS still shows black after this setup, move to the next section.
Step 2: Choose the Right Capture Method
OBS offers multiple capture types, but they don’t all work equally well with FiveM.
1. Game Capture (Recommended)
This should always be your first choice. It hooks directly into the game and offers the best performance.
Inside Game Capture properties, try these combinations if you see a black screen:
- Switch between Capture specific window and Capture foreground window with hotkey.
- Check or uncheck Use anti cheat compatibility hook.
- Toggle Limit capture framerate.
2. Window Capture
If Game Capture fails, try Window Capture as a fallback. Select the FiveM window directly. This may cost slightly more performance but often works when Game Capture does not.
3. Display Capture (Last Resort)
Display Capture grabs your entire monitor. While reliable, it’s less secure (can accidentally show notifications) and may cause lag. Only use this if the other two methods fail.
If none of these show your gameplay, the issue is likely GPU-related — which is the most common fix.
Step 3: Fix the GPU Mismatch (Most Common Solution)
If you’re using a laptop or a PC with both integrated and dedicated graphics (like Intel + NVIDIA or AMD), OBS and FiveM must run on the same GPU.
When they run on different GPUs, OBS cannot “see” the game — resulting in a black screen.
How to Fix GPU Mismatch in Windows 10/11
- Go to Settings → System → Display.
- Scroll down and click Graphics.
- Click Browse and add OBS Studio.
- Click Options.
- Select High performance (your dedicated GPU).
- Repeat the same process for FiveM.
- Restart both applications.
This step alone resolves black screen issues for most users.
NVIDIA Control Panel Method
If you’re using NVIDIA:
- Right-click desktop → NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Go to Manage 3D settings.
- Under Program Settings, add OBS Studio.
- Set it to High-performance NVIDIA processor.
- Apply changes.
Ensure FiveM uses the same GPU.
Step 4: Run OBS as Administrator
Sometimes FiveM runs with elevated privileges, and OBS does not. When privilege levels differ, OBS cannot properly hook into the game.
To fix:
- Close OBS.
- Right-click OBS shortcut.
- Select Run as administrator.
If this solves the issue, you can permanently enable it:
- Right-click OBS shortcut → Properties.
- Go to Compatibility tab.
- Check Run this program as administrator.
- Click Apply.
This fix is especially helpful when Game Capture refuses to detect FiveM.
Step 5: Disable Conflicting Overlays
Overlays from other software can interfere with OBS capture hooks.
Common culprits include:
- Discord overlay
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience overlay
- Steam overlay
- Xbox Game Bar
Disable these temporarily and check if the black screen disappears. FiveM can be particularly sensitive to layered overlays.
Step 6: Match Fullscreen and Display Settings
FiveM may behave differently depending on whether it’s set to fullscreen, borderless, or windowed mode.
If you experience a black screen:
- Switch FiveM to Borderless Windowed mode.
- Avoid exclusive fullscreen initially.
- Restart OBS after changing modes.
Borderless mode tends to work most reliably with OBS Game Capture.
Step 7: Update OBS, GPU Drivers, and FiveM
Outdated software can cause compatibility problems.
Make sure you:
- Update OBS Studio to the latest version.
- Update NVIDIA or AMD GPU drivers.
- Update FiveM client.
- Restart your PC afterward.
Driver updates often improve compatibility with capture hooks and eliminate black screen bugs.
Advanced Fixes (If Nothing Else Works)
If you still encounter issues, try these additional adjustments:
- Disable Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling in Windows.
- Reinstall OBS Studio completely.
- Clear OBS scene collection and rebuild from scratch.
- Switch from DirectX 11 to DirectX 10.1 in GTA V settings.
These are less common fixes but can resolve stubborn cases.
Final Thoughts
Fixing the OBS Studio black screen while capturing FiveM usually comes down to three key areas: scene setup, capture method choice, and GPU alignment. Most users solve the problem quickly once they ensure OBS and FiveM are running on the same graphics processor and Game Capture is properly configured.
The good news is that this is rarely a permanent or complex issue. It’s typically a small configuration mismatch rather than a major software flaw. By systematically going through scene setup, GPU settings, administrator privileges, and overlays, you can almost always restore your capture within minutes.
Once it’s working, take a moment to test your stream or recording thoroughly before going live. Doing a short private test ensures there are no lingering visual glitches.
With everything configured correctly, OBS and FiveM work together seamlessly — letting you focus on what really matters: smooth gameplay, entertaining content, and a professional-quality stream.
