How to Reset OBS Studio UI and Restore Missing Docks

If your OBS Studio interface is suddenly missing essential panels like Scenes, Sources, or the Audio Mixer, you have likely accidentally closed them or toggled them off. This article explains why these docks disappear and provides a quick, step-by-step guide on how to instantly reset your OBS Studio user interface to its default layout.

Why Your OBS Docks Disappeared

The OBS Studio interface is highly customizable, allowing you to undock, move, and close individual panels (called “Docks”). Docks typically go missing due to:

• Accidental closure: Clicking the “X” button on a dock while trying to move it.
• Drag-and-drop errors: Dragging a dock off the screen or hiding it behind another window.
• Accidental keyboard shortcuts: Triggering a shortcut that toggles UI elements.

How to Reset the OBS Studio UI Layout

The fastest way to recover your missing docks and restore the default look of OBS Studio is to reset the user interface.

1. Open OBS Studio.
2. Click on Docks in the top menu bar.
3. Select Reset UI from the dropdown menu.
4. Click Yes when the confirmation dialog box appears.

This action will immediately return all default panels—including Scenes, Sources, Audio Mixer, Scene Transitions, and Controls—to their original positions.

How to Restore Specific Missing Docks

If you do not want to reset your entire custom layout and only want to bring back a single missing panel:

1. Click on Docks in the top menu bar.
2. Look at the list of available docks in the dropdown menu.
3. Click on the name of the missing dock (such as Sources or Audio Mixer) to place a checkmark next to it.

The panel will reappear on your screen, and you can drag it back into your preferred position.

How to Prevent Docks from Disappearing in the Future

Once you have restored your layout, you can lock the panels in place to prevent accidental clicks from ruining your setup:

1. Click on Docks in the top menu bar.
2. Click Lock Docks.

This will disable the ability to drag or close the panels until you manually uncheck the option.