How to Hear Audio from Capture Card in OBS (2026 Guide)

If you can’t hear your capture card audio in OBS, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common problems streamers run into. This guide walks you through the exact steps to fix it, whether you’re using an Elgato HD60 X, AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra, or any other card.

What is a Capture Card?

A capture card grabs video and audio from an external source (like a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a second PC) and sends it to your streaming computer. OBS Studio then takes that signal and broadcasts it to Twitch, YouTube, or wherever you stream. For this to work, OBS needs to correctly detect and route both the video and audio streams from the card.

Add Capture Card Audio in OBS

There are two methods to get audio from your capture card into OBS. Start with Method 1 since it’s the cleanest approach.

Method 1: Audio Input Source

This treats your capture card’s audio as a dedicated source. It’s the standard and most reliable setup.

1. Add the video source: In OBS, go to the Sources dock, click the + icon, and select “Video Capture Device.” Name it something like “PS5 Capture” and pick your capture card from the Device dropdown. Click OK.

2. Add the audio source: Go back to the Sources dock, click + again, and select “Audio Input Capture.”

3. Select your device: Name it “Capture Card Audio.” In the Device dropdown, find your capture card. It might appear by name (e.g., “Game Capture HD60 X”) or as “Digital Audio Interface.”

4. Check the mixer: You should see “Capture Card Audio” in your Audio Mixer dock. Play something on your source device and watch for meter movement.

If the meter moves but you can’t hear anything through your headphones, go to Method 2.

Method 2: Custom Audio Device

Some capture cards (especially AVerMedia models) handle video and audio on separate channels. In that case:

1. Open Video Capture Device properties: Right-click your capture card video source and select Properties.

2. Enable custom audio: Scroll to the bottom of the properties window. Tick the box labeled “Use Custom Audio Device.”

3. Select the audio device: In the new dropdown that appears, choose your capture card’s audio channel.

This embeds the audio directly into the video source, so you won’t need a separate Audio Input Capture.

Method 3: Audio Monitoring

If audio is reaching OBS but you can’t hear it through your headphones or speakers:

1. Open Advanced Audio Properties: In the Audio Mixer dock, click the three-dot menu (or gear icon) next to your capture card audio source. Select “Advanced Audio Properties.”

2. Set monitoring mode: Find your capture card source in the list. In the Audio Monitoring column, change the dropdown to “Monitor and Output.”

   • Monitor Off: Audio goes to your stream only, not your headphones.
   • Monitor Only (Mute Output): You hear it, but your stream doesn’t.
   • Monitor and Output: Both you and your viewers hear the audio.

3. Verify monitoring device: Go to File > Settings > Audio. Make sure the Monitoring Device is set to your headphones or speakers. If it says “Default,” confirm your OS default audio device is correct.

You should now hear the capture card audio.

Capture Card Comparison

Choosing the right capture card affects your audio experience in OBS. Here’s how the most popular cards compare for streaming audio setup in 2026.

Which card for which setup?

• If you stream at 1080p60 from a PS5 or Xbox, the Elgato HD60 X at $150 is the standard choice. Audio setup is straightforward with Method 1.
• On a budget, the AVerMedia StreamLine MINI+ at $75 gives you 4K60 HDR passthrough and 1080p60 capture. Great value for new streamers.
• For a dual-PC streaming setup at 4K, the Elgato 4K Pro (PCIe, $250) has the best audio and video quality but requires an open PCIe slot.

Record Gameplay Easily

Once your audio is configured, you might want to record sessions for VODs or highlight clips. While OBS handles streaming well, a separate recording tool can simplify things. The ScreenApp screen recorder lets you capture gameplay with synced audio in one click. It also has AI-powered note-taking that can generate summaries and timestamps from your recordings automatically.

Troubleshooting Audio Issues

If you’re still having problems after following the setup steps, try these fixes.

FAQ

How do I get game audio in OBS with a capture card?

Add your capture card as an “Audio Input Capture” source in the OBS Sources dock. Pick your card from the device dropdown. Then open Advanced Audio Properties and set monitoring to “Monitor and Output” so you can hear the audio through your headphones while it also goes to your stream.

Why is my Elgato not outputting audio in OBS?

Three common causes: (1) Elgato’s 4K Capture Utility or Game Capture HD software is open and locking the device — close it. (2) Your console is outputting Dolby Digital Plus instead of PCM — switch to Linear PCM in console audio settings. (3) The audio source wasn’t added separately — you need both a Video Capture Device and an Audio Input Capture source in OBS.

How do I fix capture card audio delay in OBS?

Open Advanced Audio Properties from the Audio Mixer dock. Find your capture card source and adjust the Sync Offset value. Start with 100ms and increase until audio and video line up. Also make sure your capture card’s frame rate matches your OBS output frame rate (both 60fps or both 30fps).

Does my capture card need drivers for OBS?

Most modern capture cards (Elgato HD60 X, AVerMedia GC553G2) work as plug-and-play USB video/audio devices on Windows 10/11 and macOS. However, installing the manufacturer’s companion software often includes firmware updates and optimized drivers that improve stability and reduce audio issues in OBS.

Can I use a capture card and OBS on a single PC?

Yes, but it’s less common. In a single-PC setup, the capture card captures a second source (like a console) while OBS records or streams from the same machine. The audio setup is identical to a dual-PC setup. If you’re only recording PC gameplay, you don’t need a capture card at all — OBS can capture your screen and audio directly using Game Capture or Display Capture sources.

What sample rate should I use for capture card audio in OBS?

Set OBS to 48 kHz (File > Settings > Audio). Then match this in your Windows or macOS audio device settings for the capture card. A mismatch between OBS and the OS sample rate is the most common cause of crackling audio from capture cards.