How to Fix OBS Browser Source Audio Clicking

This article provides a straightforward guide on how to eliminate distracting audio clicking, popping, or crackling artifacts when transitioning between scenes containing active browser sources in OBS Studio. You will learn how to configure your browser source settings, align system sample rates, and adjust transition behaviors to ensure seamless, glitch-free audio transitions.

1. Control Audio via OBS

By default, OBS Studio routes browser source audio directly to your system’s default output. This can cause abrupt audio cuts and clicks during scene transitions. Enabling OBS control over the audio allows the software to properly manage and fade the sound.

  1. Right-click the browser source in your Sources list and select Properties.
  2. Scroll down and check the box for Control audio via OBS.
  3. Click OK.
  4. The browser source will now appear in your Audio Mixer. You can now apply filters or transitions directly to this audio channel.

2. Adjust Source Visibility Settings

When switching scenes, OBS may fully unload or reload a browser source, causing a sudden spike in CPU/GPU usage that manifests as an audio click. Adjusting the visibility behavior can prevent this.

  1. Open the Properties of your browser source.
  2. Locate the settings Shutdown source when not visible and Refresh browser when scene becomes active.
  3. If the source is used in both scenes: Ensure both options are unchecked. This keeps the browser source running continuously in the background, eliminating the reload click when switching.
  4. If the source is only in one scene: If you want to free up resources, keep these checked, but increase your scene transition time (e.g., a 300ms Fade) to mask the initial load click.

3. Match Audio Sample Rates

Audio clicking is frequently caused by a sample rate mismatch between OBS Studio, your operating system, and your physical audio hardware.

  1. In OBS, go to Settings > Audio and check the Sample Rate (typically 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).
  2. On Windows, right-click the speaker icon in your system tray, select Sound settings > More sound settings (or Sound Control Panel).
  3. Under the Playback and Recording tabs, right-click your active devices, select Properties > Advanced, and ensure the default format matches the sample rate set in OBS.

4. Toggle Browser Source Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration offloads webpage rendering to your GPU. If your GPU spikes during a scene transition, it can cause the browser’s audio buffer to drop, resulting in a click.

  1. Go to OBS Settings > Advanced.
  2. Scroll down to the Sources section.
  3. Toggle the option Enable Browser Source Hardware Acceleration (if it is on, turn it off; if it is off, turn it on).
  4. Restart OBS Studio to apply the changes and test the transition.

5. Add an Audio Delay or Fade

If the click persists, you can use OBS’s built-in transition settings to fade the audio out before the source cuts off.

  1. In the Scene Transitions dock, change your transition type to Fade.
  2. Set the duration to at least 300ms to allow the audio to crossfade smoothly rather than cutting off instantly.