Recordings and external drives: configure and verify

Know what is being recorded

Program recording captures the switched output. Camera ISO recording captures configured sources independently. A replay buffer holds recent footage and is not the same as a finalized recording file. Verify each required function in the actual output status.

Prepare storage

1. Mount the intended drive on the OBS computer. Check free space, write permissions and cable reliability.
2. In the relevant recording setup, refresh mounted drives and select the correct volume. The drive list is not a general folder browser; enter the absolute folder when required.
3. Stop all outputs identified by the app before saving settings. An editable draft is not evidence that OBS accepted the change.
4. Make a short recording and stop it normally. Open the resulting file and verify picture, sound and duration.
5. Repeat for each camera ISO if you need separate camera recordings. Confirm source assignments rather than assuming every visible camera is recording.

Missing or unplugged drive

A selected unavailable drive must be reconnected or replaced in configuration. Do not keep starting recordings to an invalid location. Preserve the exact file-write or disk-space error. If a recording was interrupted, keep the original file and use the supported recovery/remux process for its format; do not overwrite the only copy.

End-of-event checks

Stop recordings and allow finalization before shutting down, ejecting drives or updating software. Check representative files and available disk space. Back up required material to a separate location. Reinstalling an app is not a recording-recovery procedure.