When recording videos with Overwolf, you might run into some problems. We've listed the most common ones below, along with explanations and easy fixes so you can solve them yourself :)


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If you are encountering issues with the recording video such as stuttering / lag / 1-second videos / video not captured / black screen / empty clips / no footage / DPI / cursor offset issues please try out the troubleshooting steps in this article: Common Video Capture Issues

Game Highlights and Apps are Currently Down

you might see a message in the app saying that highlights and apps are currently down. When this happens, your highlights won’t be captured automatically, but you can still record videos manually using the steps Here..


There’s nothing you need to do we’re already working on it! This issue will fix itself once everything is patched up. We just ask for a little patience while we get things back to normal.


For more information, please visit the following article: Apps and Highlights Status Explanation.

Recording Issues: Stuttering / Lag / 1-Second Videos


GPU Drivers

If your recorded videos are laggy, freeze on one frame, record for one second, have audio out of sync, or don’t capture at all your graphics card drivers might be outdated.


Old drivers can stop your GPU’s video encoder from working properly which is what makes video recording possible. If it’s not working correctly or out of date, you’ll likely run into issues.


To fix this, update your GPU drivers by visiting your graphics card manufacturer’s website:

After updating, restart your computer to make sure the changes take effect. Then try recording again.


Codecs

The best recording results usually come from using a codec that uses your dedicated GPU (graphics card) for encoding. Other codecs, like x264, rely on your CPU instead.


Using a CPU-based codec can cause problems as your CPU has to handle the recording plus everything else your system is doing, which can lead to broken or low-quality videos.


You can change the codec in your recording app settings (If you're unsure where this setting is please contact the app developers) or in Overwolf's Capture settings:


If your graphics card's encoder option is grayed out, even though your drivers are up to date, you can try doing a clean driver installation for a better fix.


To learn more about encoders and how they work, check out the articles in this category: Codecs.


Presets

Some presets can use too much of your computer’s resources, which may lead to broken, laggy or poor-quality recordings.


To avoid this, make sure your preset in your Overwolf recording app is set to "Default" or "Automatic", then try recording again. 


The option to change the preset may show in the advance capture settings of the app you are using. If you're unsure where this setting is please contact the app developers.


High Quality Settings

If your capture settings (such as resolution or FPS) are set too high for your system, your videos might not record properly.

For best results, follow the custom settings listed in the Minimum Recording Requirements & Recommended Settings article.


Try lowering the resolution and FPS restart the computer, then try recording a new clip to see if it works better.


Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling

Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) introduced a new setting called Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. When this is turned on, it can interfere with Overwolf’s recording system (which is based on OBS) and cause problems with video capture or the recorded files.


To fix these issues, try turning this setting off:

  • Windows 10:
  •  Windows 11:


If you prefer to keep the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling enabled, you can try to switch the game's display mode from 'Fullscreen' to 'Windowed'/'Windowed Borderless' in order to eliminate lags/dropped frames.


Windows Game Options

Disabling the following options through the Windows system settings can improve the recording:

  1. Xbox Game Bar
  2. Background recording
  3. Game Mode


If you're using an AMD Ryzen processor, updating your BIOS may help fix the recording issue.


To do this, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and follow the instructions for your specific motherboard model.


AMD Ryzen Processor

If you're using an AMD Ryzen processor updating your BIOS may help fix the recording issue.


To do this, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website and follow the instructions for your specific motherboard model.


Other Recording or Streaming Software running while recording with Overwolf apps

If you're using other video capture or streaming tools at the same time as the Overwolf recording app, it may cause problems with your recordings or stop Overwolf from capturing altogether. This includes:

  • NVIDIA ShadowPlay / NVIDIA Share

  • OBS Studio

  • Wondershare

  • Streaming apps like Discord

  • Live wallpaper apps (Lively Wallpaper, Wallpaper Engine)

To avoid issues, please close or disable these programs before using your Overwolf recording app.


Also, make sure you're not using multiple Overwolf apps with recording features at the same time, as this can also cause problems.

Examples of Overwolf apps with recording features include:

  • Avatar
  • BUFF
  • Game Capture
  • Gazoom
  • Insights Capture
  • Medal
  • Nuked.TV
  • Outplayed
  • Valorant Tracker (TRN)
  • Replay HUD
  • Replays.lol


Nvidia G-SYNC

Running Nvidia G-SYNC may cause issues with recording. You can disable it using the following steps:

  1. Right-click on your desktop and click on “Nvidia Control Panel” from the menu
  2. Click on the “+” next to Display
  3. Select Set up G-SYNC
  4. Uncheck the box next to Enable G-SYNC & click on Apply

Videos Lag Only in Overwolf App (Not in Media Player)

If your recordings lag only when viewed inside an Overwolf app, but play fine in a media player (like VLC), try these steps: 

  • Turn Off Hardware Acceleration (Visual Artifacts)

    Using the steps in: Visual Artifacts in Overwolf Apps (Hardware Acceleration).

  • Check for Frame Rate Mismatch

    Open Windows Settings → System → Display → Advanced Display Settings.
    Look for your current refresh rate (e.g., 60Hz, 144Hz).

  • Check NVIDIA Max Frame Rate Settings:

    Open the NVIDIA Control Panel and go to Manage 3D Settings:

    Make sure “Background Application Max Frame Rate” is disabled or set to match your Windows refresh rate.

    You can also find this in the NVIDIA App under: Graphics → Global Settings → Max Frame Rate

    If you change any of these settings, make sure to restart your computer before testing the recording again.

Sound issues: No audio / Low audio / Not recording microphone


Sound Drivers

If you're having sound problems in your recordings, it could be because your audio drivers are outdated. Make sure you have the latest sound drivers installed.


If you're using Realtek, you can find their drivers Here.

For other audio devices, check the manufacturer’s website for the correct drivers.


No Sound in Recordings

If your captured videos have no sound at all, it might be caused by a conflict with other audio software on your computer.

Common apps that can interfere with Overwolf include:

  • Nahimic
  • Alienware Sound Center
  • Asus Sonic Radar

To fix the issue, close these apps before recording with Overwolf.


Only Microphone Sound Recorded (No Game or System Audio)

If your video only captures your microphone and is missing game sounds, music, or other system audio, try the following:


  • If you recently updated Windows, the issue might be related to Windows Sonic (a spatial sound feature). You can find a fix in this article: How “Windows Sonic” Spatial Sound Works.
  • In some cases, this problem happens because of incompatibility between certain headsets and Overwolf’s recording system. Click Here for more information.
  • Try disabling Windows Sonic or switching to a different audio device to see if that helps.


Friends Voices on Discord Not Being Recorded

If you're using a SteelSeries Arctis or HyperX headset with chat/game sound balance and your recordings only capture your voice and game sounds, but not your friends on Discord, here's how to fix it:


These headsets use two separate audio channels (one for game, one for chat), but Overwolf can only record one channel at a time.


To make sure your friends' voices are recorded:

  1. Open Discord Settings.
  2. Go to "Voice & Video".
  3. Under "Output Device", select:
  4. "Arctis 7 Game" (for SteelSeries users) or "HyperX [Model Name] Game" (for HyperX users)
  5. Restart the computer and try recording again.


This will route all audio through the game channel so Overwolf can capture it properly.


Unsupported Sound Format Error

If you see an "Unsupported sound format" error when using an Overwolf recording app, it’s likely due to the audio format used by your device.

This usually happens with USB headsets, microphones, or webcam mics.


To fix it:

  1. Open your Sound Settings in Windows.
  2. Go to your playback or recording device settings.
  3. Find the Default Format option.
  4. Change it to "Tape Recorder" or a standard format like "2 channel, 16-bit, 44100 Hz".
  5. Restart the computer.


This should allow Overwolf to record audio without errors.


Microphone Not Recording or Sound Too Low

If your microphone isn’t recording or the audio sounds quieter than expected, try the following steps:


1. Check Microphone Levels in Windows

  1. Right-click the sound icon in your taskbar and select Sounds.
  2. Go to the Recording tab, select your microphone, and click Properties.
  3. Under the Levels tab, make sure the Microphone volume is at 100 and, if available, Microphone Boost is turned up (e.g., +10 dB or +20 dB).


2. Reinstall Your Microphone Drivers

  1. Open Device Manager → Audio inputs and outputs.
  2. Right-click your mic and choose Uninstall device.
  3. Restart your PC and let Windows reinstall the drivers automatically.


3. Try a Different USB Port or Audio Jack
If you're using a USB microphone or headset, try plugging it into a different USB port.

If using a 3.5mm mic, switch between the front and rear jacks on your PC to test.


4. Disable Sound Enhancements

In the Microphone Properties, go to the Enhancements tab (if available).

Check “Disable all sound effects” or “Disable all enhancements” to rule out conflicts.


5. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

  1. Go to Settings → System → Sound.
  2. Under the Input section, click Troubleshoot.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to automatically detect and fix microphone issues.


If none of these steps solve the issue, please open a support ticket so we can assist you further.


Microphone Sound Only Playing on Left or Right Side

If your recorded microphone audio is only coming through one side (left or right), it’s likely due to the channel setting.


To fix it:

  1. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar.
  2. Select "Sounds" or "Recording devices".
  3. In the Recording tab, right-click your microphone and choose "Properties".
  4. Go to the Advanced tab.
  5. Under Default Format, select: "1 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz (CD Quality)".
  6. Click Apply, then OK.


Then restart the computer and try recording again, your voice should play from both sides.


NVIDIA Broadcast Issues

Using NVIDIA Broadcast can sometimes cause audio problems during recording.


Also, if you enable the Noise Removal feature, it may remove in-game sound effects along with background noise.


Audio Not Working Outside of the Recording App

If the audio doesn’t play properly when watching your recording outside of the Overwolf app, the problem might be with the media player you're using.


Try opening the video with a different player, like VLC Media Player, and check if the issue still happens.

Video Not Captured: Black Screen / Empty Clips / No Footage


GPU Drivers

If your recorded videos show a black screen, are completely blank or have no footage at all, your graphics card drivers might be outdated.


The video encoder built into your GPU is essential for capturing gameplay. If your drivers are old or not working properly, the recording may fail resulting in empty or black video clips.


To fix this, update your GPU drivers by visiting your graphics card manufacturer’s website:

After updating, restart your computer to make sure the changes take effect. Then try recording again.


Shared Texture Compatibility Mode (SHT)

If your recordings are showing only black frames and your system has both an integrated GPU and a dedicated GPU, try enabling the “Shared Texture Compatibility Mode” in Overwolf’s Capture Settings.


This option helps improve compatibility in dual-GPU setups and may resolve the black screen issue.


Switchable Graphics Devices

Some systems use switchable graphics, meaning different apps can run on either the integrated GPU or the dedicated GPU.


If your game runs on one GPU and Overwolf’s capture engine runs on the other, it can cause black screen recordings or no video capture at all.


To fix this, you’ll need to set Overwolf’s capture engine to run on the same (dedicated) GPU as your game. Here’s how to do that:


Legacy:

Minimum Requirements for Recording

To record smoothly with Overwolf apps, your system needs to meet these minimum requirements. Using lower-spec hardware may lead to issues.


Processor (CPU)

  • Intel: i3 or higher with Intel Quick Sync support. Check supported Intel CPUs here.

  • AMD: Ryzen processors that include integrated Vega graphics and support the AMF encoder.


Graphics Card (GPU)

  • NVIDIA: A card that supports NVENC encoding (note: GT/M series may not work well).

  • AMD: Cards that support the AMF encoder. Check supported AMD GPUs here.


Memory (RAM)

  • Minimum: 8 GB

  • Recommended: 16 GB for best performance


For more details and tips on recommended settings, check out: Minimum Recording Requirements & Recommended Settings.

Ransomware Protection Blocking Recordings

If Windows Ransomware Protection is turned on, it may block Overwolf apps from saving recordings.


To check if this is the issue:

  1. Open Windows Security Settings.
  2. Temporarily disable Ransomware Protection.


If disabling it fixes the problem, you have two options to prevent it from interfering in the future:


Go to “Protected Folders” and add your media folder as an exception,

or

Move your media folder to a location that is not protected.


If you're using Outplayed, you can follow This Guide to change the media folder.

DPI / Cursor Offset Issues

Is the app overlay too large in-game? Is your cursor not clicking where it should?


These problems are often caused by your DPI (display scaling) being set above 100%. To fix it, set your DPI back to 100% in your Windows display settings.


How to Change DPI (Display Scaling) in Windows:

  1. Right-click on your desktop and choose Display settings
  2. Scroll down to the “Scale and layout” section
  3. Under “Change the size of text, apps, and other items”, select 100% from the dropdown
  4. Restart your PC or log out and back in for changes to take full effect


If you do not want to change the Windows DPI please use our step-by-step guide on how to scale the Overwolf apps for higher DPI settings check out:

Scaling Overwolf Apps to Appear Properly with a High DPI Setting


Another possible cause is your text size setting. To adjust it:

  1. Open Windows Settings
  2. Go to Ease of Access → Display
  3. Set the text size to the minimum value
  4. Restart your PC or log out and back in for changes to take full effect

Recordings Look Brighter Than In-Game

If your recordings appear brighter than what you see while playing, try the following:

  1. Check if HDR is enabled on your system or monitor. If it is, turn it off.

  2. Restart your computer after disabling HDR to apply the changes.


If you're using an AMD graphics card:

  • Open your AMD Radeon Settings

  • Make sure “10-Bit Pixel Format” is turned off

  • Restart your PC again after making the change


These steps should help your recordings match the actual in-game brightness.