To prevent OBS hotkeys from activating when the OBS application is not the currently active window (e.g., while you are using another program), you need to adjust a specific setting within OBS's preferences. This is a common way to "turn off" hotkeys specifically for scenarios where OBS is running in the background.
Understanding Hotkey Behavior When OBS is Not Focused
OBS allows you to set keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) for various actions, such as starting/stopping streams, recording, switching scenes, and more. Depending on your settings, these hotkeys might operate globally, meaning they work regardless of which application is currently in focus on your computer.
If you want to stop OBS hotkeys from triggering actions when you are using another application, you can adjust the Hotkey Focus Behavior setting.
Adjusting Hotkey Focus Behavior
According to the reference, to make OBS ignore hotkey presses when you are outside of OBS (in another application), you need to modify the Hotkey Focus Behavior setting.
Here are the steps:
- Navigate to the OBS preferences or settings. This is typically found under:
- Preferences (on macOS)
- File > Settings (on Windows/Linux)
- In the settings window, select the Advanced tab from the list on the side.
- Scroll down the Advanced settings until you find the section titled Hotkey Focus Behavior.
- Adjust your preference in this section. You will typically see options that control whether hotkeys work when OBS is in the foreground or background.
Common Hotkey Focus Behavior Options
While the exact wording might vary slightly between OBS versions, the options generally allow you to choose when hotkeys are active:
| Setting Option | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Never disable hotkeys | Hotkeys will always work globally, regardless of whether the OBS window is the currently active application. |
| Disable hotkeys when not focused | Hotkeys will only work when the OBS window is the currently active application (in focus). This is the setting to choose to prevent hotkeys from working outside of OBS. |
| Disable hotkeys when Studio Mode is active | Hotkeys are disabled while OBS Studio Mode is enabled. |
To achieve the goal of "turning off" hotkeys when OBS is not the active application, select the option that indicates Disable hotkeys when not focused.
Practical Tip
Choosing "Disable hotkeys when not focused" is highly recommended to avoid accidental scene switches, recording stops, or other unintended actions while you are actively using other software, especially during gaming or other full-screen applications where you might inadvertently press an assigned hotkey.
By adjusting this setting, you ensure that your OBS hotkeys only respond when you intentionally have the OBS window selected and active.
