Software & AppsOperating SystemLinux

Fixing OBS Studio Virtual Camera Not Working Issue

Ubuntu 20

In this article, we will explore some of the most effective solutions to fix the OBS Studio Virtual Camera not working issue. OBS Studio is a popular software for video recording and live streaming. However, users often encounter problems with the virtual camera feature. Let’s dive into the solutions.

Solution 1: Install OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms

The first step to solve the OBS Studio Virtual Camera not working issue is to install OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms. Here’s how you can do it:

sudo apt install obs-studio v4l2loopback-dkms

In this command, sudo is used to execute the command with root privileges, apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, install is the command to install packages, and obs-studio v4l2loopback-dkms are the packages we are installing.

After installation, you should see a “Start Virtual Camera” button in OBS Studio. Click on it and enter your password when prompted.

If the button still says “Start Virtual Camera” and no virtual camera is detected by other applications, it’s time to check if the v4l2loopback module is loaded. You can do this by running the following command:

lsmod | grep v4l2loopback

The lsmod command shows the status of modules in the Linux Kernel and grep is used to filter the output for the term ‘v4l2loopback’. If the module is not loaded, proceed to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Disable Secure Boot

If the v4l2loopback module is not loaded, you may need to disable secure boot. Here’s a detailed guide on how to disable secure boot: askubuntu.com/a/1198351/652.

After disabling secure boot, reboot your system. Then, install OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms again using the command:

sudo apt install obs-studio v4l2loopback-dkms

Launch OBS Studio and click on the “Start Virtual Camera” button. It should now work properly.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

If none of the above solutions work, there may be other underlying issues. Here are some additional steps you can take:

  1. Update Your System: Make sure your system is up-to-date. You can update your system using the following command:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
  1. Reinstall OBS Studio: Sometimes, reinstalling OBS Studio can fix the issue. You can uninstall it using the command:
sudo apt remove obs-studio

And then reinstall it using the command:

sudo apt install obs-studio
  1. Check for Conflicting Software: Make sure there are no other applications using the camera. If there are, close them and try again.

In conclusion, the OBS Studio Virtual Camera not working issue can be fixed by installing OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms, disabling secure boot, or by following additional troubleshooting steps. Remember, it’s always a good idea to keep your system updated and check for conflicting software.

How do I install OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms?

To install OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms, you can use the following command in Ubuntu: sudo apt install obs-studio v4l2loopback-dkms.

Why is the virtual camera not working even after installing OBS Studio and v4l2loopback-dkms?

If the virtual camera is still not working, it may be due to the v4l2loopback module not being loaded. You can check if the module is loaded by running the command lsmod | grep v4l2loopback. If it is not loaded, proceed to Solution 2 in the article to disable secure boot.

How do I disable secure boot?

To disable secure boot, you can follow the detailed guide provided in this link: askubuntu.com/a/1198351/652. It provides step-by-step instructions on disabling secure boot.

What should I do if none of the solutions work?

If none of the solutions mentioned in the article work, you can try the additional troubleshooting steps provided. These steps include updating your system using sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade, reinstalling OBS Studio using sudo apt remove obs-studio and sudo apt install obs-studio, and checking for any conflicting software that might be using the camera.

How can I check if there are other applications using the camera?

To check for other applications using the camera, you can close all applications that might use the camera, such as video conferencing apps or other recording software. Then, try starting the virtual camera in OBS Studio again to see if it works.

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