Monitor Game or Microphone Audio Through OBS Without Echo
Source-checked · About 10 minutes
Answer
Choose a dedicated monitoring device, set the source to Monitor Only or Monitor and Output, and use headphones to prevent feedback and duplicate audio.
Before changing OBS audio monitoring, use headphones and select a dedicated Monitoring Device before enabling monitoring on any microphone or game source. Write down the current value before changing it so you can restore only that setting if the intended result does not appear. Keep the relevant account, app, or system version available if official support is needed. Confirm the saved choice after closing and reopening the relevant settings panel.
2
Use the supported method
Choose Monitor Only when the audience must not hear the source and Monitor and Output when both operator and audience should hear it.
3
Choose the monitoring output
In Settings > Audio > Advanced, select headphones or another dedicated Monitoring Device rather than an ambiguous default.
Open Advanced Audio Properties and choose Monitor Only or Monitor and Output according to whether the audience also needs the source.
5
Prevent duplicates
Do not monitor a source through OBS when the operating system or interface already sends it directly to the same headphones.
6
Test latency and echo
Use headphones, record a short test, and check delay, feedback, doubled sound, stream output, and every assigned track.
7
Check that the change worked
A recording and live preview confirm the correct audience mix while headphones provide useful monitoring without feedback or doubling.
8
Troubleshoot OBS audio monitoring
If the device is unavailable, monitoring is delayed, the source is heard twice, or a direct hardware monitor already supplies it, stop broad resets and return to the last known state. Capture the exact error, versions, account or device scope, and the failed step before using the official support channel.
Video walkthrough
ⓘ Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.
