The basic process: download, extract, and place the plugin folder

Adding a plugin to OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) means downloading a folder of files, putting it in the right location on your computer, and restarting OBS. The exact steps depend on whether the plugin is a source plugin (adds a new input type), a filter plugin (changes how video or audio looks), or a script (a simpler automation tool). Most plugins go into a single folder that OBS checks automatically when it starts.

The process is the same whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, though the folder locations differ. You do not need to edit code or use a terminal unless the plugin instructions specifically tell you to. If a plugin does not show up after you restart OBS, the most common reason is that you put the folder in the wrong location or the plugin was built for a different version of OBS than the one you have installed.

Key Takeaways

  • Download the plugin file from the creator's website or GitHub, extract it if it is compressed, and move the folder to your OBS plugins directory.
  • On Windows, the plugins folder is usually C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins; on Mac, it is ~/Library/Application Support/obs-studio/plugins; on Linux, it is ~/.config/obs-studio/plugins.
  • Restart OBS completely after adding a plugin; simply closing and reopening the window is not enough if OBS was already running.
  • If a plugin does not appear, check that you downloaded the version built for your operating system and that the folder structure matches what the plugin creator specified.

Finding and downloading a plugin

Most OBS plugins are hosted on GitHub, the creator's personal website, or community sites like obsproject.com. Start by searching for the plugin name plus "OBS plugin" to find the official source. Download the release file, which is usually a ZIP or TAR file. Do not download the raw source code unless the instructions tell you to—that is the uncompiled version and will not work.

Before downloading, check that the plugin supports your version of OBS. Open OBS, go to Help > About, and note your version number. Then look at the plugin's release page and confirm it lists your version or says "compatible with OBS 28.0+" or similar. A plugin built for OBS 29 may not work on OBS 27, even if the difference seems small.

Extracting the plugin folder

Once you have downloaded the plugin file, extract it. On Windows, right-click the ZIP file and choose Extract All. On Mac, double-click the ZIP file and it extracts automatically. On Linux, use your file manager or run unzip filename.zip in a terminal.

After extraction, you will see a folder with the plugin's name. Open that folder and look inside. Some plugins have a simple structure—just a few files—while others have subfolders. Read the plugin's README file if one exists; it will tell you exactly which folder to move and where it goes. If there is no README, look for a folder named bin, data, or the plugin name itself, and move that entire folder to your OBS plugins directory.

Locating your OBS plugins directory

OBS looks for plugins in a specific folder on your computer. The location depends on your operating system.

On Windows: Navigate to C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins. If OBS is installed in a different location (for example, if you installed it to a custom folder), the plugins directory will be in that location instead. You can also find the path by opening OBS, going to Help > About, and looking for "Config Path"—the plugins folder is inside that directory.

On Mac: Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and paste ~/Library/Application Support/obs-studio/plugins. If the plugins folder does not exist, create it by right-clicking in the obs-studio folder and choosing New Folder, then naming it plugins.

On Linux: Open a file manager and navigate to ~/.config/obs-studio/plugins. If the folder does not exist, open a terminal and run mkdir -p ~/.config/obs-studio/plugins.

Moving the plugin folder into place

Drag the extracted plugin folder into your OBS plugins directory. The folder itself should go inside the plugins directory—do not extract the contents into plugins and leave the folder behind. For example, if the plugin is called "my-filter", the final path should be C:\Program Files\obs-studio\obs-plugins\my-filter on Windows or ~/.config/obs-studio/plugins/my-filter on Linux.

Some plugins come with an installer that does this step for you. If the download includes a .exe file (Windows) or .dmg file (Mac), run that instead of manually moving folders. The installer will place the plugin in the correct location automatically.

Restarting OBS and checking for the plugin

Close OBS completely—do not just close the window if it is still running in the background. On Windows, check the taskbar to make sure OBS is not still there. On Mac, press Command + Q to quit. Then reopen OBS.

Once OBS has started, the plugin should be available. Where you find it depends on what type of plugin it is. A source plugin appears in the Sources panel when you click the + button. A filter plugin appears in the Filters panel on a source or scene. A script appears in Tools > Scripts. If you do not see it, check the OBS log file to see if there was an error during startup. Go to Help > Log Files > Show Log Files, open the most recent log, and search for the plugin name to see what went wrong.

Troubleshooting a plugin that does not appear

If the plugin does not show up after restart, the most common issues are a wrong folder location, a version mismatch, or a missing dependency. First, double-check that the plugin folder is in the correct plugins directory for your operating system. Then verify that the plugin version matches your OBS version by checking the release page again.

Some plugins require additional software to be installed first—for example, a plugin might need .NET Framework on Windows or a specific library on Linux. Check the plugin's README or GitHub page for any "requirements" or "dependencies" section. If the plugin still does not work, look at the OBS log file (go to Help > Log Files > Show Log Files) and search for error messages related to the plugin name. Copy the error message and search for it along with the plugin name to find solutions from other users who had the same problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use plugins from different creators at the same time?

Yes. You can have multiple plugins in your plugins folder, and OBS will load all of them when it starts. Each plugin appears as a separate option in the relevant panel. If two plugins conflict, one may fail to load—check the log file to see which one and consider removing it.

What if I download a plugin and it is just source code, not a compiled file?

Source code cannot run directly. You need the compiled version, which is usually labeled "release" on GitHub. If only source code is available, the plugin may not be finished or may require you to build it yourself using a compiler—this is beyond basic plugin installation and the creator's README will explain the process if it is necessary.

Do I need to restart OBS every time I add a plugin?

Yes. OBS loads plugins when it starts, not while it is running. You must close OBS completely and reopen it for a new plugin to be recognized. Simply closing and reopening the window does not reload plugins if OBS is still running in the background.

Can I remove a plugin without uninstalling OBS?

Yes. Delete the plugin folder from your plugins directory and restart OBS. The plugin will no longer appear. You can add it back later by moving the folder back into the plugins directory and restarting again.

Why does a plugin work on my friend's computer but not mine?

The most likely reasons are different OBS versions, different operating systems, or missing dependencies. Check that you both have the same OBS version number and that the plugin supports your operating system. If the plugin requires additional software (like a specific library or framework), make sure it is installed on your computer.