[CRITICAL] Reload frozen webcams

[es20490446e]

Operating System Info

Other

Other OS

No response

OBS Studio Version

Git

OBS Studio Version (Other)

No response

OBS Studio Log URL

https://pastebin.com/raw/fPWv7yzd

OBS Studio Crash Log URL

No response

Expected Behavior

Any webcam that freezes shall reconnect.

Current Behavior

Many people in the last years are reporting that their cams freeze with OBS, and they don't know what to do about it. No matter the operating system or the webcam model.

Sometimes you are in the middle of a live stream, and the cam freezes without you noticing. Other times people are forced to move to a distant place to reload OBS.

https://www.google.com/search?q=obs+cam+freeze

It doesn't matter how good the software is if it can't do its basic function. This shall be priority number one.

Steps to Reproduce

Own a cam.

Anything else we should know?

• It doesn't happen with any other webcam or streaming software, hence the problem lies in OBS.
• Changing ports, updating firmware, drivers, UEFI, or tweaking config doesn't work.
• Potential root cause: USB 3.0 transfer mode wrongly selected: https://help.elgato.com/hc/en-us/articles/4681224843917-Elgato-Facecam-How-To-Change-USB-Transfer-Mode

[es20490446e]

In my case: https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/issues/9013

[notr1ch]

OBS already provides a way to deactivate and reactivate a capture device, though if the driver itself has frozen there isn't much it can do. Often this issue is triggered by USB bandwidth overload in combination with other systems being stressed, and lowering the input resolution or FPS is the best solution.

[es20490446e]

@notr1ch Sorry, but I have already tested that's not the issue.

I have tested setting the cam with minimum resolution, framerate and format. And it still freezes. Same with changing USB port.

But even if that's the cause, it shall be dealt with in some way or the other. Because all kinds of people are experiencing it, and they don't really know what to do.