Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS, is an open-source software meant for live streaming and video recording. This free software is plausibly one of the most popular streaming encoders. Supported by a community of developers, OBS is available for Windows, macOS, BSD, and Linux. The program is also often used by gamers to share screen captures for the purpose of tutorials or video presentations. OBS provides a variety of audio and video sources to make the final output creative. While using OBS on their respective systems, users have reported encountering OBS error failed to connect to server. The issue is usually seen to occur while streaming through the OBS application. If you are someone facing the same issue then we have brought you a perfect guide that will help you fix this problem with some easy and effective methods. But before diving into the fixes straight away, let us explore the reasons that lead to the connection issue.
How to Fix OBS Error Failed to Connect to Server in Windows 10
OBS connection issues with the server are usually prompted while streaming through the app. A couple of reasons can trigger this issue which are listed below:
- Internet connection issues.
- Streaming server issues.
- Outdated installation of OBS.
- Outdated system software.
- Wrong configuration of Bind IP or MTU.
- OBS access blocked by Firewall.
- Greater MTU size.
- Corrupt router settings.
Before starting with the methods to fix connection to server issue in OBS, make sure that the streaming servers are up. Also, check your internet connectivity and stabilize it if it is weak or there is no connection. In addition to this, you can also try a simple reboot of the system to resolve the issue. If these convenient fixes don’t work then move on to the list of methods in the order they are mentioned below:
Method 1: Change Streaming Server
If the server is unavailable or down, OBS error failed to connect to server error is prompted. Therefore, the first method involves checking the streaming server and then changing the streaming server to a different location to resolve the issue.
Note: Use a port scanner to check if the server port is open before starting with the steps given below.
1. Open OBS application, select the File tab at the top, and launch Settings in it.
2. Now, click on the Stream tab.
3. Next, click on the tab beside Server to expand the dropdown menu.
4. Now, select a different server and apply the changes.
5. Finally, relaunch the OBS app when the steps are performed and check if the server issue has been resolved.
Method 2: Enable Dynamic Bitrate
The next method that comes to the rescue if you are still facing connection issues with the server in OBS is to enable dynamic bitrate in OBS. Facing frames dropout through the streaming process can be resolved by activating dynamic bitrate in Advanced Settings in OBS. Look at the steps given below for more details about this fix:
Note: Dynamic Bitrate option is only available for OBS version 24 and above.
1. Launch the OBS application on your system, select the File tab, and open Settings in it.
2. Now, select the Advanced tab.
3. Next, in the Network section, select the option of Dynamically change bitrate to manage congestion (Beta).
4. Now, apply the changes made and launch OBS application again to check if the connection issue is resolved.
Also Read: How to Fix OBS Not Capturing Game Audio
Method 3: Create and Re-Enter New Stream Key
Due to an issue between OBS application and the streaming service, be it a glitch or a flaw, OBS not connecting to server issue can be triggered. If this is the case with you, then try creating a new stream key and then re-enter it. Follow the instructions given below to create a new stream key:
Note: The streaming service used here is Facebook, you can also use YouTube.
1. Launch your web browser open your Facebook account in it.
2. Click on the Live video option on the home page.
3. Now, click on Streaming software.
4. Next, click on Reset to create a new stream key.
5. Now, copy the Stream key and launch the OBS application.
6. In it, launch Settings and open the Stream tab.
7. Paste the copied key from Facebook to the Stream Key option in it and Apply the changes.
After performing the steps, close OBS and launch it again to check if the connection server issue is resolved.
Method 4: Update OBS Application
OBS is failed to connect to server error can also be triggered if the OBS application on your system is outdated. This can prompt incompatibility issues and therefore it is important to update OBS to the most recent build, use the steps below for it:
1. Launch OBS on your desktop and click on the Help option.
2. Now, select Check For Updates from the drop-down menu.
3. If an update is available, Install it and then reboot your device to launch OBS free from connection issue.
Also Read: Fix Computers Not Showing Up on Network in Windows 10
Method 5: Edit Bind IP Option
Another fix that can help you with OBS error failed to connect to server is editing the Bind IP option present in Advanced OBS settings. Altering Bind to IP to default or other option available helps in resolving the connection error. Try the steps given below to edit it:
1. Launch OBS program and click on File to open Settings.
2. Now, in it, click on Advanced.
3. Next, scroll down to the Network section and expand the drop-down menu of Bind to IP.
4. Set it to Default, in case it is already on Default then select network connection name with the IP address.
5. Once done, apply the changes and check whether OBS is able to connect to the server now.
Method 6: Update Windows
If there is no update available for OBS application on your device or even after an update you are still experiencing OBS error, then you must check an update for your system. Incompatibility issues of the outdated OS with the updated version of OBS program can be a cause for this problem, so try to install a fresh update for your system with the help of our guide How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update.
Also Read: How to Reset Network Settings on Windows 10
Method 7: Allow OBS Through Firewall
The next method that is extremely useful when it comes to an application unable to connect to the server, similar to this case, is to check if the Firewall, a pre-installed security software of a system, is blocking the application. If it is a possibility in your case then you must allow OBS through Firewall in your system to resolve OBS not connecting to server. You can also check our guide Allow or Block Apps through the Windows Firewall to implement the method.
Method 8: Lower MTU Size
Maximum Transmission Unit, also known as, MTU, is used by OBS to set the maximum size of the network packet. The streaming server used for OBS can drop the packets that are sent by a client that are actually much greater in size than the configured MTU. If this happens, OBS is failed to connect to server issue can arise. In such a situation, lowering the MTU can be of help. You can lower its size using the steps below:
1. In the Windows search bar, enter Powershell, and click on Run as Administrator.
2. Type the following command and hit the Enter key.
netsh int ipv4 show subinterface
3. Next, check the network name in the interface column and execute the given command.
netsh inteface ipv4 set subinterface <subinterface name> mtu=1400 store=persistent
4. Now, execute the following command again to check if the MTU size has changed.
netsh int ipv4 show subinterface
5. At last, reboot the PC and check if the connection issue in OBS is now settled.
Also Read: Fix Twitch Resource Format Not Supported
Method 9: Reset Router
If none of the above-mentioned methods have helped you till now, the last possible reason can be corrupt router settings resulting in OBS error failed to connect to server. In this case, reset the router to factory default settings. This can be done simply by pressing the reset button that is present at the backside of the router or through the web portal for which steps are given below:
Note: Resetting the router will reset all of the device settings.
1. Open your browser and type 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.1.2 in its address bar.
2. Now, enter your credentials and click on Login.
3. Next in Settings, select Reset, and then open Diagnostics.
4. Now, in the Maintenance tab, click on Restore Default Settings.
Once the process is complete, the router will restart on its own.
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We hope that this doc could help you to fix OBS error failed to connect to server with the 9 best methods possible. If you have any queries or suggestions then feel free to drop them in the comments section present below.
