Hide OBS Studio Interface from Display Capture

When using Display Capture in OBS Studio, the software often captures its own window, creating an annoying “mirror-in-a-mirror” feedback loop. This article provides a quick, step-by-step guide on how to hide the OBS Studio user interface from your recordings and streams using a simple built-in setting.

Steps to Hide the OBS Studio Interface

OBS Studio includes a native feature designed specifically to prevent the application from capturing itself. Follow these steps to enable it:

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Click on Settings in the bottom-right “Controls” dock (or go to File > Settings in the top menu).
3. Ensure you are on the General tab in the left-hand sidebar.
4. Scroll down to the General section and locate the option labeled “Hide OBS windows from screen capture”.
5. Check the box next to this option.
6. Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.

Once enabled, the OBS Studio interface will immediately become invisible to your Display Capture source, though it will remain fully visible to you on your monitor.

Troubleshooting and Requirements

If the interface is still appearing after enabling this setting, keep the following in mind:

• Windows OS Requirement: This feature relies on Windows API updates and is supported on Windows 10 (version 1903 and newer) and Windows 11.
• Display Capture Method: If the feedback loop persists, double-click your Display Capture source in the “Sources” dock and ensure the Capture Method is set to Windows 10 (1903 and up) or Automatic rather than “DXGI Desktop Duplication.”
• Displaying Projectors: If you use Fullscreen or Windowed Projectors, this setting will also hide those projector windows from being captured.