What changed in OBS 31.1
The headline is native Windows on Arm builds for OBS. The team labels WoA support as experimental and notes that not every feature ships at parity on day one. You also get UI appearance controls to adjust padding and font size for dense studio layouts, plus preview zoom for fine alignment when you work on 4K or ultrawide canvases. Confirm the details in the official 31.1 notes and the beta thread.
Windows on Arm status
- Native Arm64 build marked experimental in 31.1.
- Most built-in sources work including Browser Source and Media Source.
- Not all plugins and filters are available yet. Some rely on x64 components.
- Third party encoders and device drivers may lag behind Arm builds.
Other quality-of-life updates
- New UI density modes and font sizes for tight control rooms.
- Preview zoom that helps with pixel-accurate layout work.
- Multitrack Video support expanded on macOS and Linux for better broadcast workflows.
About the new capture hook certificate
OBS updated the game capture hook certificate so the file signature presents as OBS Project, LLC with a DigiCert RSA certificate. This certificate is used to dual-sign the game capture hook and can affect how some anti-cheat systems evaluate OBS. If a title blocks capture, read the official note and confirm the game’s current policy. Details are in the Capture Hook Certificate update. If you run into issues after upgrading, check for hotfixes like 31.1.1 and vendor patch notes.
Should streamers on Windows laptops care
Yes if you are testing or buying a Windows on Arm notebook such as a Snapdragon X device. Native OBS removes the x64 emulation tax for core rendering and scene composition. You still need to look at your encoder path, capture sources, and plugins to confirm parity with your x86 rig. Start by verifying what your device supports for hardware encoding and whether your capture card and audio stack have Arm64 drivers.
What likely works today
- Core scenes with Game Capture, Display/Window Capture, Browser Source, and Media Source.
- Standard filters such as Color Correction, Crop/Pad, and common audio filters.
- Recording and streaming with H.264 or HEVC where drivers expose those encoders.
What to double check
- Encoder availability for H.264, HEVC, or AV1 on your specific Arm GPU or NPU.
- Capture devices that require proprietary Arm64 drivers.
- Plugins compiled for Arm64 such as advanced audio routing or NDI.
Performance notes for Snapdragon-class laptops
Early adopter reports suggest that hardware H.264 and HEVC paths are more mature than AV1 on some Arm laptops. Driver maturity changes quickly, so verify your vendor’s documentation and test a few short sessions before a production stream. As a rule, keep scenes lean, limit aggressive browser sources, and profile your CPU and GPU graphs while you capture gameplay.
Recommended starting presets
- 1080p60 streaming with hardware H.264: 6000 to 8000 Kbps, 2 keyframe interval, High profile, Quality preset.
- 1440p60 streaming with hardware H.264 or HEVC: 9000 to 12000 Kbps, 2 keyframe interval.
- Local recording: CQP 18 to 22 for H.264 or a quality-based target for HEVC. Test AV1 only if your device exposes a stable encoder.
Scene design tips
- Prefer Window Capture over full-screen capture if a game blocks hooking during anti-cheat updates.
- Reduce high-refresh capture sources and animated browser overlays.
- Use profiles to split streaming and recording settings.
Plugin and device compatibility checklist
| Component | Arm64 ready | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Audio plugins (VST3) | Mixed | Confirm Arm64 builds for your compressor, limiter, and noise plugins. |
| NDI and virtual routing | Mixed | Check for Arm64 installers and OBS plugin builds. |
| Capture cards | Varies by vendor | Look for Arm64 drivers or class-compliant USB capture that works without drivers. |
| Browser overlays | Generally OK | Limit refresh-heavy overlays and measure CPU during alerts. |
| AI or background removal | Varies | Many rely on x86 filters. Test native Arm64 alternatives or cloud-based tools. |
Practical migration paths
Who should upgrade now
Arm laptop owners
If you already own a Snapdragon-class Windows laptop, install the Arm64 OBS, verify encoders, and run test streams. Expect to swap a few plugins or features during the first months.
Creators who value efficiency
If battery life and thermals matter more than maximum FPS, WoA laptops plus native OBS can be compelling for travel and IRL. Keep scenes lean and prefer hardware encoders that your device exposes.
Everyone else
On a stable x86 desktop with NVENC or AMF, this update is not urgent. The UI tweaks and preview zoom are nice quality-of-life upgrades you can adopt on your own timeline.
Bottom line
OBS 31.1 puts native Windows on Arm streaming on the map and moves studio ergonomics forward with UI density and preview zoom. Treat the Arm build as a field test. Validate your encoder, audit your plugins, and keep a rollback path ready while the ecosystem catches up. For creators who already use Arm laptops, this is a meaningful step. For desktop streamers on mature hardware encoders like NVENC and AMF, upgrade when convenient and keep an eye on the hotfixes and WoA FAQ for rapid changes.