OBS and other encoders will drop frames due to either network throughput/instability, or device performance limitations (CPU/GPU). Video encoding does demand high CPU/GPU resources from the device and might also cause dropped frames. Internet speeds are often not as great as the advertised speed and may see congestion during peak hours or when connecting out of region.
For troubleshooting dropping frames we recommend:
- Ensuring no other applications are running at the time;
- Monitor CPU and GPU usage to ensure they are both well under 70 - 80% usage, allowing buffer/variance for more demanding parts of the video or other system activity;
- Connect the device via ethernet rather than WiFi as WiFi is notoriously unstable and unpredictable;
- If using Cloud Video, we recommend you perform a speed test across the akamai/linode network using https://speedtest.newark.linode.com/ ensuring the bitrate used in OBS is only at maximum 70% of the total connection to allow for overhead and variance
Lowering your bitrate and resolution in your encoder can allow you to decrease system and network load if you are encounter either of those as bottlenecks. OBS has a fantastic guide that goes through dropped frames and connection issues in more detail in their wiki: OBS - Dropped Frames And General Connection Issues
