Fix OBS Studio Hotkeys Not Working in Admin Games

When you run a video game with administrator privileges, Windows security protocols prevent standard-privilege background applications like OBS Studio from registering your keyboard shortcuts. This quick guide explains why this input block happens and provides the direct steps needed to restore your OBS hotkey functionality while gaming.

Why the Issue Occurs

Windows uses a security feature called User Account Control (UAC). Under UAC, an application running with standard user privileges cannot intercept inputs or interact with an application running with elevated (administrator) privileges. If your game is running as an admin, OBS Studio—running as a standard user—is blocked from detecting your hotkeys whenever the game window is in focus.

The Solution: Run OBS Studio as Administrator

To fix this issue, you must grant OBS Studio the same level of administrative privilege as your game. This allows the software to hook into your keyboard inputs regardless of which window is active.

Step 1: Close OBS Studio Make sure OBS Studio is completely closed. Check your system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar) to ensure the application is not still running in the background.

Step 2: Configure OBS to Always Run as Administrator Instead of manually right-clicking and selecting the admin option every time you open the program, you can set it to run with elevated privileges permanently: 1. Locate your OBS Studio shortcut on your desktop or in your Start menu. 2. Right-click the shortcut and select Properties. 3. Navigate to the Compatibility tab at the top of the properties window. 4. In the Settings section, check the box next to Run this program as an administrator. 5. Click Apply, then click OK to save the changes.

Testing the Fix

Launch OBS Studio using the modified shortcut. You will see a Windows User Account Control prompt asking for permission to run the application; click Yes. Next, launch your game. Your OBS hotkeys for starting streams, stopping recordings, or saving replays should now function perfectly while the game is in focus.