Feb 22, 2025

OBS error: “Could not update timestamps for skipped samples”

The warning "Could not update timestamps for skipped samples" frequently appears in OBS Studio logs and is related to the audio stream. Despite its wording, this is not a critical error but rather a warning. OBS developers and experienced users note that this message is usually informational and does not indicate a direct streaming failure.

However, the frequent appearance of this warning may be accompanied by other issues (such as audio-video desynchronization or frame drops), so it makes sense to investigate possible causes and ways to fix it.

Possible Causes of the Warning

1. Mismatched Audio Sample Rates

One of the most common reasons is when audio devices or sources operate at different sample rates. For example, if a microphone captures sound at 48 kHz but OBS is set to 44.1 kHz (or vice versa), desynchronization and skipped audio samples may occur. OBS logs may indicate this with the message:

"sample-rate mis-match"

This discrepancy leads to an increasing audio buffer to compensate for the desync. The OBS forum states that a sample rate mismatch "may cause audio desynchronization over time or sound distortion." As a result, OBS attempts to compensate for the difference, triggering the warning about skipped samples.

2. Media Files with Audio (Video Sources, Stingers)

If a Media Source (e.g., a video file for an intro or transition) is used in an OBS scene, the warning may be generated by the audio codec of that file. It is well known that videos with transparency (alpha-channel)—such as WebM files for stinger transitions—cause such messages in the logs.

The issue arises because audio codecs (AAC, Opus, etc.) add "priming samples"—small silent segments at the beginning and end of an audio stream that should be skipped by the decoder. OBS uses FFmpeg to play media files, and a known limitation of FFmpeg is that when such priming samples are present, OBS logs the warning because it:

Cannot update timestamps for skipped/discarded samples.

In simple terms, this occurs at the start or stop of audio playback in a media file. The official OBS bug tracker notes that this is a limitation of FFmpeg, and no specific fix is available for end users.

Note: These warnings often appear precisely when a media source starts or stops playing. The log may show the media file settings (path, format), followed by the line:

"warning: Could not update timestamps for skipped/discarded samples",

and then the scene continues functioning normally.

3. System Overload – Frame Drops and Lag

Another factor is overall system load (CPU or GPU). Although the "skipped samples" warning is specifically about audio, extreme load can cause OBS to fall behind in processing the audio stream in real time.

For example:

• GPU Overload (Rendering Lag): If the GPU is overloaded, this will appear separately in the log as:

  "lagged frames due to rendering lag."

  This can happen if you play without an FPS limit, have Game Mode or G-Sync enabled, or your OBS scenes are too complex.

• CPU Overload (Encoding Lag): High CPU usage may also cause minor audio stutters. In such situations, OBS may temporarily skip audio samples to synchronize with the video stream. The log will contain messages about skipped frames/lag and warnings about skipped audio samples.

One OBS forum expert noted that such warnings often occur alongside general system overload, where "CPU is slightly overloaded," causing audio delays. In other words, if your log contains both frame drop issues (Rendering or Encoding Lag) and "skipped samples", high system load should be considered as a potential cause.

4. Audio Device Settings and Stream Synchronization

OBS allows different audio streams: global sources (Settings > Audio, such as Desktop Audio, Mic/Aux) or sources added as Audio Input Capture within a scene.

For devices running via Windows WASAPI, OBS by default does not use device timestamps (Use Device Timestamps = Off). This is intended to prevent audio drift, but in some cases, disabled timestamps may cause instant desynchronization.

For example, in one report, a user encountered multiple warnings immediately after initializing a WASAPI microphone (48 kHz). Experts advised enabling:

"Use Device Timestamps" for this source,

which helped synchronize the stream and eliminate the warnings.

Thus, incorrect audio capture settings (or device driver bugs) may cause skipped samples.

5. Driver or Hardware Issues

Finally, driver issues should not be ruled out. For example:

• GPU driver conflicts—there have been cases where switching a GPU caused driver issues because Windows installed an incorrect driver, leading to instability.
• Audio driver issues—if you use a USB audio interface or an external sound card, outdated or incorrect drivers may cause latency in audio transmission.

If the warning appeared after updating hardware or drivers, checking them for correctness is advisable.

Solutions and Recommendations

Since the exact cause of "Could not update timestamps for skipped samples" depends on the specific situation, here are comprehensive measures to resolve the issue. These steps address various factors—from OBS settings to system optimization:

1. Ensure All Audio Devices Use the Same Sample Rate

Make sure that OBS and all sources/devices operate at the same sample rate (48 kHz is recommended for streaming). To do this:

• Open OBS Settings > Audio > Sample Rate and set it to 48 kHz.
• In Windows, go to Sound Settings > System Sounds > Recording/Playback > Device Properties > Advanced and check the default format for all used devices (microphone, game audio, etc.). Set them all to 16-bit 48,000 Hz.
• If you use capture cards or virtual audio cables, ensure they are also set to the same rate.

After unifying sample rates, restart OBS and check the log. If "sample-rate mis-match" messages disappear, the problem is likely resolved.

2. Enable/Disable "Use Device Timestamps"

If warnings are related to audio capture devices (microphone, game audio, etc.), try modifying the "Use Device Timestamps" setting:

• For global sources (Desktop Audio, Mic/Aux), this setting is not available directly. Instead, remove the global microphone from settings and add it as Audio Input Capture in a scene.
• Right-click the audio source in the Sources list and select Properties.
• Find the "Use Device Timestamps" checkbox. By default, it is Off.
  • Try enabling it (checking the box), then click OK.
  • Restart the stream/recording and check for warnings.
  • If the problem worsens (e.g., increased desync), disable it again.

3. Optimize OBS and Reduce System Load

If your log also shows frame drops (skipped frames, rendering lag), reduce system load:

• Limit FPS in games (disable Game Mode, enable V-Sync, set FPS limits).
• Simplify OBS scenes—reduce the number of sources and filters.
• Lower stream resolution/FPS (e.g., switch from 1080p60 to 720p60 or 1080p30).
• Adjust encoder settings (use Quality instead of Max Quality for NVENC or a faster x264 preset).
• Disable heavy audio filters (e.g., NVIDIA Noise Removal, VST plugins).

4. Check Media Sources and Codecs

• Temporarily disable media sources and see if warnings disappear.
• Re-encode problematic files (convert WebM files to MOV with PCM audio).

Final Thoughts

If your stream/recording works fine, occasional warnings can be ignored. The OBS community emphasizes that this warning does not indicate a critical error unless it affects audio quality.

If skipped samples are frequent and cause issues, following these steps—especially standardizing sample rates and reducing system load—should help resolve or minimize the problem.

Sources: The official OBS forum and documentation were used to gather recommendations and identify the causes of the error. Links to discussions and articles are provided throughout the report. For example, a discussion on the OBS forum analyzing user logs and providing advice on resolving warnings: obsproject.com, obsproject.com; explanations from the developers regarding the nature of the message (FFmpeg limitations) obsproject.com; as well as practical tips on configuring OBS and the system obsproject.com, obsproject.com. These sources reflect the current experience of the community and will help in resolving the issue.