OBS dropping frames everytime i start streaming. please help

[flamegigz]

My System
Cpu- ryzen 5800x
Gpu- rtx 3070
Ram- 32gb 3600mhz
mobo- asus tuf gaming b550+

A few days ago, I started streaming on YouTube, and I noticed that whenever I clicked "Start Streaming," frame drops would begin, and my bitrate wouldn't go above 8k, fluctuating between 2k, 3k, and 4k, even though I had it set to 35,000. My internet speed is 140 Mbps for both download and upload, so that shouldn’t be the issue. After restarting the stream, everything would go back to normal—no frame drops, no bitrate fluctuations—so I kept streaming like this for a few days: starting the stream, stopping it, and then starting again.

But just yesterday, the same trick stopped working. No matter how many times I restarted, 19 out of 20 attempts had 49-60% frame drops, and the bitrate wouldn't stabilize. I called my ISP, explained everything, and even brought over a friend’s gaming laptop to test. On his laptop, using my internet (both Wi-Fi and ethernet), there were no problems—his stream ran smoothly every time. My ISP also checked everything and said there were no issues on their end.

I’m exhausted from trying so many things—uninstalling and reinstalling OBS multiple times, restarting my PC over and over, and even resetting the whole system out of frustration. But nothing seems to work. I’m at a loss. If anyone knows what could be causing this or how to fix it, I’d really appreciate some help!

 

[flamegigz]

another log

 

[jhaglund]

I had a work around for a couple weeks, by setting the RTMPS server to primary backup in the Settings -> Stream -> Server -> Primary Backup Youtube Ingest server. Today, it started doing the same thing again as described on all servers. I lowered the bitrate to whatever OBS bitrate dips down too. E.g., 25000, set to 7000. YouTube's issue if you ask me.

 

[koala]

I called my ISP, explained everything, and even brought over a friend’s gaming laptop to test. On his laptop, using my internet (both Wi-Fi and ethernet), there were no problems

You identified the problem correctly as network issue. You even sorted out your ISP by trying your friend's laptop. It works and your PC in the same local network not, so it's something with your PC. A network issue on your PC. This could be a firewall issue or a network card driver issue on your PC.
Or hardware, may be a LAN cable issue (try the cable that worked for your friend's laptop), or some port on your router is defective (try the port that worked for your friend's laptop).
To reset the network+driver part of your Windows PC, download the newest driver for your motherboard from the vendor website. Then uninstall the existing network driver, then install the just downloaded one. Also check Windows firewall and make sure OBS is allowed to do outgoing connections.

 

[LunaticSlayer]

Yup facing the same issue. I've internet connection of 140 MBps but using nitrate 13 Kbps there are frame drops during streaming. What to do?

 

[flamegigz]

You identified the problem correctly as network issue. You even sorted out your ISP by trying your friend's laptop. It works and your PC in the same local network not, so it's something with your PC. A network issue on your PC. This could be a firewall issue or a network card driver issue on your PC.
Or hardware, may be a LAN cable issue (try the cable that worked for your friend's laptop), or some port on your router is defective (try the port that worked for your friend's laptop).
To reset the network+driver part of your Windows PC, download the newest driver for your motherboard from the vendor website. Then uninstall the existing network driver, then install the just downloaded one. Also check Windows firewall and make sure OBS is allowed to do outgoing connections.

I genuinely thank you for your response! I thought no one was going to respond to this thread (So I immediately posted it on reddit). To address your suggested solutions 1. I unplugged my ethernet cable from my pc and plugged it into the laptop 2. And also yesterday I updated my network driver also, but the problem remains the same. I don't know much about firewall so I would appreciate some help with checking the windows firewall for obs.

 

[flamegigz]

I had a work around for a couple weeks, by setting the RTMPS server to primary backup in the Settings -> Stream -> Server -> Primary Backup Youtube Ingest server. Today, it started doing the same thing again as described on all servers. I lowered the bitrate to whatever OBS bitrate dips down too. E.g., 25000, set to 7000. YouTube's issue if you ask me.

I tried every server there but it shows the same. I can't change the bitrate because YouTube recommend 24k bitrate for 2k 60fps.

 

[koala]

I updated my network driver also

It's not just updating the driver. I wrote to uninstall the driver, then reinstall, and I meant it, because by uninstalling the driver, then later rediscovering the network Windows is reinitializing the network subsystem. You can also go to Windows network and internet settings, advanced settings, and choose to reset the network. At least Windows 11 has this in the regular settings at this spot.

 

[flamegigz]

It's not just updating the driver. I wrote to uninstall the driver, then reinstall, and I meant it, because by uninstalling the driver, then later rediscovering the network Windows is reinitializing the network subsystem. You can also go to Windows network and internet settings, advanced settings, and choose to reset the network. At least Windows 11 has this in the regular settings at this spot.

I just tried uninstalling and reinstalling as you guided, and even reset the network, but the result remains the same. And I also watched a youtube video and added obs to firewall, but nothing workedI just can't figure out the problem. What the hell is wrong with my PC? The upload speed is good, but why can't OBS receive the full upload speed? It only reaches 8-9k bitrate.

 

[ㅋㅋㅋ]

하지 않고 댓글만 달고 있다고 생각해서 답답해서 가입했습니다.

며칠 전부터 YouTube 전송에서 갑자기 버퍼링 프레임 저하가 발생한 이유를 모르겠습니다.

삭제하고 다시 다운로드해도 동시에 보내지 않고, 싱글로 보내도 다른 플랫폼도 좋지만 프레임 드랍이나 렉이 있는 것은 YouTube만 있습니다.

나는 아무것도 설치하지 않았고 갑자기 작동하지 않았습니다.

OBS 서버가 YouTube와 맞지 않는다고 생각했지만 댓글 수준은 시도조차 하지 않고 답답합니다.

 

[jhaglund]

I just tried uninstalling and reinstalling as you guided, and even reset the network, but the result remains the same. And I also watched a youtube video and added obs to firewall, but nothing workedI just can't figure out the problem. What the hell is wrong with my PC? The upload speed is good, but why can't OBS receive the full upload speed? It only reaches 8-9k bitrate.

l still think it's a Youtube issue. I duel stream to 2 other platforms 24/7, and they have 0 problems. There's a limit on bandwidth for some reason. CBR seems to be working like VBR on - their end. Best case, and I can only speculate, they want to adjust your bandwidth needs, based on some AI algorithm. They could also process video upload feed in real-time for content they want to censor or copyright strike. You could try changing the Rate Control in Encoder Settings to VBR. Set the Bitrate to around lowest dip, and Max to your desired. E.g., if your video feed "only needs" ~8-9 Mbps (based on a algorithm), you'll see 60%+ Dropped Frames on 25 Mbps.

We're clearly not the only ones experiencing the issue.

 

[VoidMatter]

I have the same exact issue. About a year ago I streamed to youtube at around 25k, had 0 issues.
Today I'm trying to do dual stream Youtube/Twitch. I start the stream (only for youtube) and notice a HUGE dip to around 7-8k and then see how it goes up to 15 eventually and just dips again.
It definitely seems like its on their end.
Will post here if I can find a solution

 

[codshorts]

having same issue with my bit rate not wanting to go above 500