How to Automatically Mute Desktop Audio in OBS

This guide explains how to configure OBS Studio so that desktop audio is automatically muted when you switch to a specific scene, such as an intro, outro, or intermission screen. By moving away from global audio settings and utilizing scene-specific audio sources, you can seamlessly control what your audience hears without having to manually click the mute button during live broadcasts.

Step 1: Disable Global Desktop Audio

By default, OBS Studio captures desktop audio globally across all scenes. To control desktop audio on a scene-by-scene basis, you must first disable this global setting.

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Click on Settings in the bottom-right Controls dock (or go to File > Settings).
  3. Select the Audio tab from the left-hand menu.
  4. Under the Global Audio Devices section, find Desktop Audio and change the dropdown selection to Disabled.
  5. Click Apply and then OK.

Your global desktop audio stream will now disappear from the Audio Mixer dock.

Step 2: Add Desktop Audio to Your Active Scenes

Now that global audio is disabled, you must manually add desktop audio only to the scenes where you want your stream to hear it.

  1. In the Scenes dock, select a scene where you want desktop audio to be active (e.g., your main gameplay or “Just Chatting” scene).
  2. Go to the Sources dock, click the + (plus) icon, and select Audio Output Capture.
  3. Name the source “Desktop Audio” and click OK.
  4. In the properties window, select your primary listening device (usually “Default” or your specific headphones/speakers) from the Device dropdown, then click OK.

The “Desktop Audio” track will now appear in your Audio Mixer only for this specific scene. Repeat these steps for any other scenes that require desktop sound, selecting Add Existing and choosing “Desktop Audio” instead of creating a new source.

Step 3: Create the Muted Scene

To create a scene where desktop audio is automatically muted, simply do not add the desktop audio source to that scene.

  1. In the Scenes dock, select or create the scene you want muted (e.g., “Be Right Back” or “Ending Soon”).
  2. Ensure that “Desktop Audio” is not listed in the Sources dock for this scene.
  3. If you want microphone audio or background music in this scene, you can add those specific sources manually using the + icon in the Sources dock.

When you transition to this scene, OBS Studio will immediately stop broadcasting your desktop audio. When you switch back to your active scenes, the desktop audio will automatically unmute.