Fix OBS Studio Is Already Running Error

The “OBS Studio is already running” error typically occurs when the application fails to close properly during a previous session, leaving a background process active that prevents a new window from opening. This article provides direct, step-by-step methods to resolve this issue on both Windows and macOS, covering how to force-close stuck background processes, run the program with proper administrative privileges, and prevent the error from happening in the future.

Method 1: End the OBS Process in Task Manager (Windows)

The quickest way to resolve this error is to manually terminate the stuck OBS process running in the background.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Details tab (or Processes tab if you are on Windows 11).
  3. Scroll down and look for obs64.exe or OBS Studio.
  4. Right-click on the OBS process and select End task.
  5. Close the Task Manager and try relaunching OBS Studio.

Method 2: End the OBS Process in Activity Monitor (macOS)

If you are using a Mac, you can use the Activity Monitor to force-close the frozen application.

  1. Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight search, type Activity Monitor, and press Enter.
  2. In the search bar at the top right of the Activity Monitor, type OBS.
  3. Select the OBS process from the list.
  4. Click the X button at the top-left of the window and select Force Quit.
  5. Relaunch OBS Studio.

Method 3: Run OBS Studio as an Administrator

Sometimes, insufficient user permissions prevent OBS from interacting properly with system files, causing it to hang during startup or shutdown.

  1. Right-click on the OBS Studio shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
  4. Check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.
  5. Click Apply and then OK.

Method 4: Restart Your Computer

If background processes are unresponsive to the Task Manager or Activity Monitor, a system restart will completely clear your computer’s temporary memory and shut down all stuck processes. Save any open work, restart your PC or Mac, and launch OBS Studio again.