How to Customize and Lock OBS Studio Dock Layout

This article provides a straightforward, step-by-step guide on how to personalize the user interface of OBS Studio by rearranging its various docks—such as Scenes, Sources, and the Audio Mixer—around the central preview canvas, and how to lock the finalized layout to prevent accidental changes.

How to Customize Your OBS Studio Layout

By default, OBS Studio uses a modular system of “docks” surrounding the central preview canvas. You can rearrange, resize, stack, or completely detach these docks to suit your workflow.

1. Enable Dock User Interface Customization

Before you can move any docks, you must ensure they are unlocked: * Go to the top menu bar and click on View. * Hover over Docks. * Look at the Lock Docks option. If there is a checkmark next to it, click it to uncheck and unlock the docks.

2. Move and Rearrange Docks

Once unlocked, you can freely position the docks: * Click and hold the title bar of the dock you want to move (e.g., “Sources” or “Audio Mixer”). * Drag the dock toward the edge of the OBS window or next to another dock. * As you drag, a blue highlight will appear. This highlight indicates where the dock will snap into place if you release the mouse button. * Drop the dock into your preferred position. You can place them side-by-side, stack them vertically, or drop them on top of each other to create tabbed docks.

3. Make Docks Float or Close Them

• Floating Docks: Drag a dock completely outside of the OBS Studio window to turn it into a free-floating window. This is ideal for multi-monitor setups.
• Close Docks: Click the X icon on the top right of any dock to close it. You can bring it back at any time by going to View > Docks and checking the corresponding dock name.

How to Lock the Layout

Once you have arranged the docks to your satisfaction, you should lock the layout to avoid accidentally dragging or closing windows during a live stream or recording.

1. Click on View in the top menu bar.
2. Hover over Docks.
3. Click on Lock Docks.

A checkmark will appear next to the option, and all dock title bars and drag handles will disappear, securing your layout in place.

How to Reset the Layout to Default

If you ever make a mistake or want to start over from the original OBS Studio layout: 1. Go to View in the top menu. 2. Hover over Docks. 3. Click Reset Docks. This will instantly restore the interface to its original factory settings.