Configure Fragmented FLV in OBS to Prevent Data Loss

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to configure the advanced recording settings in OBS Studio to output files in the fragmented FLV format. By switching to this crash-resilient format, you can prevent data loss and ensure your video files remain playable even if OBS Studio closes unexpectedly, your computer loses power, or your system crashes mid-recording.

Why Use Fragmented FLV?

Standard recording formats like MP4 require a complete file header to be written at the very end of the recording process. If OBS Studio crashes before the recording is properly stopped, the header is never written, rendering the entire video file corrupt and unrecoverable.

FLV (Flash Video) is inherently a fragmented, streamable container. Because it writes video data incrementally frame-by-frame, a sudden interruption will only lose the fraction of a second being recorded at the exact moment of the crash. The rest of the file up to that point remains completely intact and usable.

Steps to Configure Fragmented FLV in OBS Studio

Follow these instructions to enable crash-resilient FLV recording in your OBS Studio advanced settings:

Step 1: Open the Settings Menu

  1. Launch OBS Studio.
  2. Click on Settings in the bottom-right “Controls” dock, or go to File > Settings in the top menu bar.

Step 2: Access the Output Settings

  1. In the left-hand sidebar of the Settings window, click on Output.
  2. Locate the Output Mode dropdown menu at the top of the window.
  3. Change the Output Mode from Simple to Advanced. This unlocks additional configuration tabs.

Step 3: Configure the Recording Format

  1. Click on the Recording tab at the top of the Output settings page.
  2. Locate the Recording Format dropdown menu.
  3. Select Fragmented FLV (.flv) from the list. (Note: If your specific version of OBS Studio lists only standard FLV (.flv), select it. Standard FLV is structurally fragmented and provides the exact same crash-protection benefits).

Step 4: Apply and Save Changes

  1. Click the Apply button in the bottom-right corner.
  2. Click OK to close the Settings window.

Your OBS Studio is now configured to save all future recordings in the crash-resilient FLV format, protecting your content from unexpected interruptions.