Add Sources in OBS: Set Up & Arrange Them

To add sources in OBS Studio, click the + button under the Sources panel, choose a source type (like Display Capture or Window Capture), then configure it. To arrange them, drag sources up or down in the list—higher items appear on top of lower ones in the preview. This article explains every source type, how to set them up, and how to control their layering, size, and visibility for streaming or recording.

Why Source Order Matters

The Sources list in OBS works like layers in image editing software. The source at the top of the list is drawn in front of everything below it. For example, if you have a webcam source above a game capture source, the webcam appears over the game. If you want a border or overlay to cover part of the webcam, that border must be higher in the list.

This stacking order is the single most common cause of “my camera is hidden� or “my overlay isn’t showing� problems. Always check the order first before adjusting properties.

How to Add a Source: Step by Step

1. Open OBS and look at the Sources panel (usually bottom-left).
2. Click the + (plus) icon at the bottom of that panel.
3. Select a source type from the dropdown (see the full list below).
4. Give the source a name (e.g., “Webcam�, “Game�, “Alert Box�).
5. Click OK, then configure the source’s specific settings in the new window.
6. Click OK again. The source now appears in the list and in the preview.

You can add as many sources as you need. There is no hard limit, but performance may suffer if you add many high-resolution video sources at once.

Every Source Type Explained

OBS offers several built-in source types. Knowing what each does helps you pick the right one.

• Display Capture – Captures your entire monitor. Best for showing your desktop, but it will show everything including notifications.
• Window Capture – Captures a single window (e.g., a browser or app). More precise than display capture, but some games block it.
• Game Capture – Captures a fullscreen or borderless game directly. Best for gaming, but only works with supported games.
• Video Capture Device – For webcams, capture cards, or other USB video devices.
• Audio Input Capture – Captures a microphone or line-in device.
• Audio Output Capture – Captures system audio (what you hear).
• Text (GDI+) – Adds text overlays like titles or alerts.
• Image – Adds a static image (PNG, JPG, etc.).
• Image Slide Show – Cycles through multiple images.
• Media Source – Plays video or audio files (MP4, MP3, etc.).
• Browser Source – Embeds a webpage (useful for Twitch alerts, chat boxes, or custom overlays).
• Color Source – Adds a solid color rectangle (often used as a background).
• Group – Not a source itself, but a container that lets you move and scale multiple sources together.

How to Arrange and Resize Sources

Once you have sources in the list, you can arrange them in three ways:

• Reorder by dragging – Click and drag a source up or down in the list. Release to drop it into a new position.
• Use the arrow buttons – Select a source, then click the up/down arrows at the bottom of the Sources panel to move it one step at a time.
• Right-click menu – Right-click a source and choose “Move Upâ€� or “Move Downâ€�.

To resize or move a source visually:

1. Select the source in the list.
2. In the preview window, drag the red box that appears around it to resize.
3. Drag inside the red box to move it.
4. Hold Alt while dragging to crop the source (hide parts without resizing the actual content).

For pixel‑perfect placement, right‑click the source and choose Transform → Edit Transform. Here you can set exact X/Y position, width/height, and rotation.

Common Source Problems and Fixes

Even experienced users hit issues. Here are the most frequent ones and how to solve them.

• Source not showing in preview – Check that the source is not hidden (eye icon is not crossed out). Also check that it is not behind another source—move it up in the list.
• Game capture shows black screen – Run OBS as administrator (right‑click OBS → “Run as administratorâ€�). Also try switching between “Capture specific windowâ€� and “Capture any fullscreen applicationâ€�.
• Webcam not detected – Replug the camera, close other apps using it, and in the Video Capture Device properties, try a different “Deviceâ€� from the dropdown.
• Audio source too loud or too quiet – Use the volume slider in the Audio Mixer panel. You can also add a “Gainâ€� filter via the mixer’s gear icon.
• Browser source not loading – Right‑click the browser source → “Refreshâ€�. If it still fails, check the URL is correct and that the page allows embedding.

Advanced Arrangement: Groups, Filters, and Hotkeys

For complex scenes, groups keep things tidy. To create a group:

1. Select multiple sources (Ctrl+click each).
2. Right‑click one of them → “Group selected sources�.

Now you can move, scale, or hide the whole group as one unit. You can also apply filters to a source (right‑click → “Filters�)—for example, add a “Chroma Key� to remove a green screen from your webcam, or a “Color Correction� to brighten a dark image.

Hotkeys are handy for toggling sources on/off. Go to Settings → Hotkeys, find your source name, and assign a key to “Show� or “Hide�. This lets you switch scenes or hide overlays without touching the mouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a source to multiple scenes at once?

No, each source belongs to only one scene. However, you can copy a source (right‑click → Copy) and paste it into another scene (right‑click → Paste). The copy will be independent—changes to one do not affect the other. For shared elements like a webcam or alert box, consider adding them to a single scene and using “Scene� as a source in other scenes (add a “Scene� source). This way you edit once and it updates everywhere.

Why does my source appear blurry when I resize it?

OBS scales the source to fit the size you set. If you make a small image larger, it will look pixelated. To avoid blur, use an image that is at least as large as the final display size. For text, increase the font size in the source properties rather than scaling the text box.

What is the difference between “Window Capture� and “Game Capture�?

Window Capture grabs a specific window’s contents, even if it’s not a game. Game Capture uses a more efficient hook that works only with DirectX/OpenGL games, giving better performance and often capturing fullscreen games that Window Capture cannot. If a game doesn’t appear in Window Capture, try Game Capture.

How do I make a source disappear after a few seconds?

You can use the “Media Source� with a video that ends, or use the “Browser Source� with a timed animation. For a simple approach, assign a hotkey to hide the source, or use a plugin like “Move Transition� or “Advanced Scene Switcher� to automate it. Without plugins, the built‑in way is to toggle visibility manually or with a hotkey.

Can I lock a source so I don’t accidentally move it?

Yes. Right‑click the source and choose “Lock�. A lock icon appears next to it, and you won’t be able to select or move it in the preview until you unlock it. This is useful for backgrounds and overlays you don’t want to disturb.

Why is my “Display Capture� showing a black screen on a laptop?

This often happens on laptops with dual GPUs (integrated + discrete). OBS may capture the wrong GPU. Try these fixes: run OBS as administrator, update your graphics drivers, or in Display Capture properties, try changing the “Display� dropdown to a different monitor. If that fails, use “Window Capture� for the specific app instead.

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