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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFirst check where OBS was set to save recordings. If a file remains after an interruption, its format matters: an unfinished MKV is designed to remain playable and recoverable, while a regular MP4 or MOV may depend on finalization and might not be recoverable. OBS’s built-in remux tool can convert a readable recording for compatibility, but it does not guarantee repair of every damaged file.
Start by identifying what happened
“Recover an OBS recording” can mean finding a file saved somewhere unexpected, salvaging a file left behind after OBS or the computer stopped, troubleshooting a file that will not play, or trying to restore a deleted recording. The right next step depends on which case applies and, for an existing file, which recording format it uses.
- No file located: check OBS’s configured Recording Path.
- File exists after an interrupted recording: preserve a copy, then check its format and whether it opens.
- MP4 or MOV will not open: establish whether it was regular, fragmented, or hybrid before assuming it is repairable.
- File was deleted or the computer crashed: treat it as a storage-recovery problem; OBS does not provide a documented universal undelete or repair process.
Find a recording that seems missing
- In OBS, open Settings and inspect the Recording Path in the output/recording settings. This is the configured destination for recordings.
- Open that exact folder and look for the recording. If you are unsure where it was saved, search likely output locations for files ending in
.mkv,.mp4,.mov, or.flv. - If the file is not there, do not assume OBS can restore it automatically. The OBS guidance cited here does not establish an OBS archive, recycle bin, or deleted-file recovery feature.
See the OBS Standard Recording Output Guide for the recording-output settings. It was published on 2023-05-26.
Recover an interrupted recording that still exists
If the file is MKV
- Make an untouched copy of the file first and troubleshoot the copy. This preserves the original if later steps produce a different result.
- Try opening the copy in a media player. OBS recommends MKV for resilience: its format guidance says an unfinished MKV recording remains playable and recoverable.
- If it plays but an editor or player needs MP4, use OBS’s remux command: open File > Remux Recordings, select the source recording, and run Remux.
- Check the resulting file rather than assuming the conversion recovered every frame. Verify its duration and seek through the beginning, middle, and end; check that the expected audio and video tracks are present.
Remuxing is a compatibility conversion, not a promise to repair any damaged recording. OBS’s interface warns that a remuxed output may be incomplete. The OBS Standard Recording Output Guide describes the remux workflow.
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If the whole computer crashed
A system crash can involve storage or filesystem problems in addition to the recording being interrupted. Community support discussions include reports of surviving, nonzero MKV files being salvaged by remuxing, but outcomes vary. They also contain differing accounts about zero-byte files and a case-specific report of a Windows disk check restoring one. These anecdotes are not a universal recovery procedure or a guarantee.
If the footage is important and the drive may be failing, minimize further use of that storage and consider qualified data-recovery help. Do not treat a zero-byte file as proof that recovery is either certain or impossible.
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Understand why an MP4 or MOV may be unplayable
Not every file labeled MP4 or MOV has the same interruption behavior. OBS distinguishes regular formats, which need finalization, from fragmented and hybrid formats. A regular MP4 or MOV recording may not be recoverable if writing is interrupted before finalization. Fragmented formats store self-contained chunks so a file need not be finalized to be usable; hybrid formats combine fragmentation with broader compatibility.
For an existing unplayable regular MP4 or MOV, the OBS guidance does not establish a guaranteed repair method. Do not assume that remuxing will fix a file OBS cannot read. For future sessions, OBS recommends against recording directly to regular MP4 or MOV; use a more interruption-resilient format such as MKV, then remux to MP4 if compatibility is needed.
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These format trade-offs are covered in the OBS Project’s Audio/Video Formats Guide, published on 2023-03-26.
If the recording was deleted
The OBS documentation covered here does not describe a verified deleted-file recovery workflow. Do not look for an OBS undelete function on the assumption that one exists. If the recording matters, avoid writing new data to the affected storage, check the operating system’s own deleted-item facilities, and consult recovery guidance specific to your operating system and storage setup. Those next steps depend on the platform and device; the OBS sources do not establish platform-specific instructions or guarantee recovery.
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Choose a safer recording format next time
| Format type | Interruption resilience | Compatibility consideration |
|---|---|---|
| MKV | OBS recommends it for unforeseen interruptions; an unfinished recording remains playable and recoverable. | Remux to MP4 in OBS when an editing or playback workflow needs MP4. |
| Regular MP4 or MOV | Requires finalization and may not be recoverable if recording is interrupted. | Broad compatibility, but OBS recommends against recording directly to these regular formats. |
| Fragmented MP4 or MOV | Self-contained chunks mean the file need not be finalized to be usable. | Compatibility depends on the chosen format and software. |
| Hybrid MP4 or MOV | Combines fragmentation with broader compatibility. | Compatibility depends on the chosen format and software. |
For the future-session choice, prioritize interruption resilience when a crash or power loss would make a recording difficult to recreate. If your workflow needs MP4, recording in MKV and remuxing afterward separates safer capture from format compatibility.
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