{"id":7163,"date":"2026-07-16T18:12:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T14:12:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krisp.ai\/blog\/?p=7163"},"modified":"2026-07-16T20:13:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:13:32","slug":"obs-remove-background-noise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krisp.ai\/blog\/obs-remove-background-noise\/","title":{"rendered":"OBS Noise Suppression: How to Remove Background Noise (2026 Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your stream picks up a whirring fan, a clacking keyboard, or the neighbor’s dog, the fix is usually already sitting inside OBS. OBS Studio has a built-in Noise Suppression filter that cleans up your mic in a few clicks, and for heavier noise you can add a noise gate or route in a dedicated AI tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This guide walks through every option: the three built-in noise suppression methods (RNNoise, Speex, and NVIDIA Noise Removal), when to use each, how to set up a noise gate, and what to do when your audio comes out muffled. If you’re also setting up your capture, our guide on <\/span>how to record with OBS<\/span><\/a> covers the rest of the workflow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Everything here reflects the current OBS Studio 32.1 release, which shipped an overhaul of the audio mixer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does OBS Have Built-In Noise Suppression?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes. OBS Studio includes a Noise Suppression filter you can apply to any audio source. It’s good at steady background noise like PC fans, air conditioning, and room hum, and it needs no plugins or extra downloads to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What it won’t do is miracle-work on loud, chaotic noise (a caf\u00e9, a construction site, kids in the next room). For that you’ll want a stronger method, which is where NVIDIA Noise Removal or an AI tool like Krisp comes in. More on both below.<\/span><\/p>\n

RNNoise vs Speex vs NVIDIA vs Krisp: Which Should You Use?<\/span><\/h2>\n

OBS gives you three noise suppression methods inside the same filter, plus the option to route in an external AI mic. Here’s how they compare so you can pick before you start clicking.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Method<\/b><\/th>\nHow it works<\/b><\/th>\nCPU \/ hardware<\/b><\/th>\nBest for<\/b><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
RNNoise<\/b><\/td>\nAI model trained to separate speech from noise<\/span><\/td>\nSlightly higher CPU, no GPU needed<\/span><\/td>\nMost people \u2014 the best default<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Speex<\/b><\/td>\nAdjustable filter you set with a suppression slider<\/span><\/td>\nVery light on resources<\/span><\/td>\nOlder or low-spec machines<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
NVIDIA Noise Removal<\/b><\/td>\nGPU-accelerated removal via the NVIDIA Broadcast SDK<\/span><\/td>\nNeeds an NVIDIA RTX GPU + the SDK<\/span><\/td>\nStrong noise, if you own the hardware<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Krisp<\/b><\/td>\nAI noise cancellation as a separate virtual mic<\/span><\/td>\nRuns outside OBS, works on any machine<\/span><\/td>\nLoud rooms and non-RTX setups<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Short version: <\/b>start with RNNoise. Switch to Speex if your CPU struggles. Use NVIDIA if you have an RTX card and want more muscle. Reach for Krisp when the room is genuinely loud or you don’t have an NVIDIA GPU.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Remove Background Noise in OBS: Step by Step<\/span>\"OBS<\/h2>\n

Step 1: Open OBS Studio<\/span><\/h3>\n

Launch OBS on your computer. If you haven’t installed it yet, grab it from the official OBS website. Once it opens, you’ll see the main layout: Scenes, Sources, Audio Mixer, and Controls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Find Your Microphone in the Audio Mixer<\/span>\"OBS<\/h3>\n

In the Audio Mixer section, locate the mic you want to clean up. If it isn’t there yet, click the + in the Sources panel, choose <\/span>Audio Input Capture<\/b>, and select your microphone from the list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: Add the Noise Suppression Filter<\/span>\"OBS<\/h3>\n

Now apply the filter:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Click the gear icon next to your mic in the<\/span> Audio Mixer<\/b> and choose <\/span>Filters<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. In the <\/span>Filters<\/b> window, click + at the bottom left and select Noise Suppression.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Open the Method dropdown. You’ll see <\/span>RNNoise<\/b>, <\/span>Speex<\/b>, and (if you’ve installed the NVIDIA Broadcast SDK) NVIDIA Noise Removal.<\/span><\/span>\n