How to Resolve OBS Stuck on ‘Stopping Recording’?

OBS Studio is one of the most widely used open-source tools for screen recording and streaming. However, many users occasionally face a frustrating issue where OBS gets stuck on “Stopping Recording”, essentially freezing and making it impossible to end the current recording session gracefully. This problem can lead to lost work, frustration, and the need for troubleshooting. In this article, we’ll explore why OBS is stuck on stopping recording and solutions to this issue.

1. Why OBS Gets Stuck on “Stopping Recording”?

There are several reasons why OBS might freeze while trying to stop a recording:

• System Overload: If your CPU or GPU is maxed out, OBS might not be able to complete the recording process.
• Large File Size: Long or high-resolution recordings may take a long time to finalize and write to disk.
• Faulty Encoding Settings: Misconfigured encoders (e.g., x264 or NVENC) can cause performance issues or freezing.
• Corrupted Plugins or Scenes: Complex scenes or faulty plugins can introduce bugs or memory leaks.
• Disk Write Issues: If there’s not enough disk space or write permission issues, OBS may hang while saving the file.

2. How to Fix OBS Stuck on Stopping Recording?

Here are several effective solutions you can try to stop the OBS stuck:

2.1 Wait Patiently (Up to 5 Minutes)

Sometimes OBS is just slow at finalizing the video file, especially for long sessions. If the software appears stuck, wait a few minutes before force quitting.

2.2 Force Close OBS (Last Resort)

If OBS is frozen completely and unresponsive, you can close the program by:

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, locate OBS in the list, and terminate it by clicking End Task.

Note: This method may corrupt the current recording.

2.3 Use MKV Instead of MP4

OBS suggests recording in MKV format and converting it to MP4 afterward for better stability. MKV is more resilient to crashes:

• Navigate to OBS Einstellungen > Open the Output tab > Locate Recording and choose MKV format from the dropdown menu.
• Enable “Automatically remux to MP4” if needed.

2.4 Update OBS and Graphics Drivers

Always use the latest version of OBS Studio and update your GPU drivers. Bug fixes often resolve performance issues:

• Download the latest version of OBS Studio directly from its official website: https://obsproject.com .
• Update GPU via NVIDIA/AMD official websites.

2.5 Optimize OBS Recording Settings

Try using more efficient settings:

• Encoder: Hardware (NVENC) if available.
• Recording Quality: High Quality, Medium File Size.
• Recording Format: MKV or FLV.

2.6 Disable Overlays and Conflicting Software

Overlays from third-party apps like Discord, NVIDIA ShadowPlay, or Xbox Game Bar can cause issues with OBS. Disable any unnecessary background programs and overlays.

2.7 Check Disk Space and Permissions

Make sure:

• You have enough free disk space.
• OBS has the required permissions to write to the selected path.
• You are running OBS as administrator.

3. Still Not Working? Try an Alternative – Recordit

If OBS remains unreliable or is too complex for your needs, consider a simpler tool like Recordit.

Recordit is an extremely simple and lightweight screen recording tool designed for quick recordings that can be instantly saved as GIFs or MP4s. Unlike OBS, Recordit has no complex settings and is ideal for everyday screen capture use cases.

• Start Recording Instantly: Simply choose a screen area and start the process.
• Quick Start & Stop : Provides simple keyboard shortcuts
• Quick Export: Easily convert recordings into MP4/GIF/MP3 format for easy sharing.
• High Quality: Record videos up to 4K.
• Take Screenshots : Screenshot any area on screen with one-click.
• No issues : Record without stuck, black screen and dropped frames.

How to use Recordit instead of OBS:

• Download Recordit for your OS from the official site and install it.
• Launch the software and choose desired options for your recordings, including recxord area, resolution, format, etc.
• Press Start Recording to let Recordit capturing the screen in real time.
• When finished, stop recording and find recordings within the software “Files” tab.

4. Conclusion

OBS Studio is a powerful tool for video recording and streaming, but it can sometimes get stuck on “Stopping Recording” due to performance bottlenecks, misconfigurations, or system issues. Fortunately, there are many ways to resolve this, from changing recording formats to optimizing settings and keeping the app updated.

However, if you’re looking for a simpler, hassle-free alternative for quick screen captures, Recordit is an excellent choice. It’s easy to use, fast, and ideal for creating GIFs or short screen recordings without complex setup.

Whether you’re a content creator, developer, or just someone who needs to share quick screen interactions, Recordit can save time while avoiding the frustrations that sometimes come with OBS.