How to Auto Mute OBS Audio When an App Opens

Automating your audio setup in OBS Studio prevents unwanted sounds, like loud game launchers or background music, from ruining your stream or recording. While OBS Studio does not have a native “mute on app launch” toggle, you can easily achieve this automation using the powerful and free Advanced Scene Switcher plugin, or by utilizing modern Application Audio Capture sources. This guide will walk you through both methods to seamlessly mute your desktop audio whenever a specific application launcher opens.

Method 1: Using the Advanced Scene Switcher Plugin

The most reliable way to mute desktop audio when a specific application runs is by using the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin for OBS. This plugin allows you to create macros based on system processes.

Step 1: Install the Plugin

  1. Download and install the Advanced Scene Switcher plugin from the official OBS Studio resource page.
  2. Restart OBS Studio after installation.

Step 2: Create the Mute Macro

  1. In OBS, go to the top menu and select Tools > Advanced Scene Switcher.
  2. Navigate to the Macro tab.
  3. Click the + (plus) button at the bottom left to create a new macro and name it “Mute Launcher”.
  4. Set up the condition (the “If” statement):
    • Change the first dropdown to Process.
    • In the next field, select or type the executable name of your application launcher (e.g., Steam.exe, EpicGamesLauncher.exe, or Discord.exe).
    • Set the state to is running.
  5. Set up the action (the “Then” statement):
    • Click the + button under the action section.
    • Change the dropdown to Audio.
    • Select your Desktop Audio source.
    • Set the action to Mute.

Step 3: Create the Unmute Macro

To ensure your desktop audio turns back on when you close the launcher, you need a reverse macro.

  1. Click the + button in the Macro tab to create another macro and name it “Unmute Launcher”.
  2. Set up the condition:
    • Select Process > [Your Launcher Executable] > is not running.
  3. Set up the action:
    • Select Audio > [Your Desktop Audio Source] > Unmute.
  4. Navigate to the General tab of the plugin and click Start to enable the macros.

Method 2: Use Application Audio Capture (Alternative)

If you want to avoid installing plugins, you can bypass the desktop audio source entirely. Instead of muting the launcher, you can configure OBS to only capture the specific audio sources you want, leaving the launcher permanently silent.

  1. Go to your OBS Settings > Audio and set Desktop Audio to Disabled.
  2. In your active scene, click the + icon in the Sources dock.
  3. Select Application Audio Capture (BETA) and name it after the specific game or browser you want to capture (e.g., “Game Audio”).
  4. In the properties window, select the executable of the active game or application you want to hear.
  5. Repeat this process for any other application you want to stream.

Because your global Desktop Audio is disabled, any app launcher or background process not explicitly added as an Application Audio Capture source will remain completely silent on your stream.