How to Clean Reinstall OBS Studio and Purge Settings

Performing a truly clean re-installation of OBS Studio requires more than just running the standard uninstaller. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to completely purge all cached data, user profiles, scene collections, and configuration files from your system, ensuring a blank-slate reinstall of the software on both Windows and macOS.

Step 1: Backup Your Settings (Optional)

If you want to save your current profiles and scenes before purging them forever, export them first. Open OBS Studio, go to Profile > Export, and then Scene Collection > Export to save your layouts. If you want a completely fresh start, skip this step.

Step 2: Uninstall OBS Studio

On Windows:

  1. Close OBS Studio completely.
  2. Open the Start Menu, search for Add or remove programs, and open it.
  3. Find OBS Studio in the list, click the three dots (or click the program), and select Uninstall.
  4. During the uninstallation process, if prompted to “Delete user settings” or “Remove user data,” make sure to check that box.

On macOS:

  1. Quit OBS Studio.
  2. Open Finder and navigate to your Applications folder.
  3. Drag OBS to the Trash (or right-click and select Move to Trash).

Step 3: Purge Remaining User Data and Configurations

The uninstaller often leaves behind configuration files, plugins, and cache folders. You must delete these manually to perform a true purge.

On Windows:

  1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type %appdata% and press Enter. This opens the hidden Roaming folder.
  3. Locate the folder named obs-studio.
  4. Right-click the obs-studio folder and select Delete.
  5. Open the Run dialog box again (Windows Key + R), type %localappdata%, and press Enter.
  6. Check for an obs-studio folder here as well. If it exists, delete it.
  7. Empty your Recycle Bin.

On macOS:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Click Go in the top menu bar, hold down the Option (Alt) key, and click Library when it appears.
  3. Navigate to the Application Support folder.
  4. Locate the folder named obs-studio and move it to the Trash.
  5. Empty your Trash.

Step 4: Reinstall OBS Studio

Once all directory traces have been removed, your system is completely cleared of OBS data.

  1. Download the latest installer directly from the official OBS Studio website.
  2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
  3. Upon launching the newly installed OBS Studio, you will be greeted by the Auto-Configuration Wizard, confirming that the application has been successfully reset to its default factory settings.