Where to find and install extension updates

OBS extensions update through the Extensions menu inside OBS Studio itself, not through your web browser. When an update is available, OBS shows a small indicator next to the extension name. You do not read updates manually or visit a website — OBS handles this inside the process.

Open OBS Studio and go to Tools in the menu bar, then select Extensions. This opens a panel showing every extension you have installed. If an update exists, you will see a blue dot or an "Update" button next to that extension's name. Click the button to read and install the newer version.

Some extensions update automatically in the background, depending on how the extension creator set it up. You can check whether automatic updates are turned on by going to Tools > Preferences (on Mac) or Edit > Preferences (on Windows), then finding the Extensions tab. Look for a checkbox labeled "Automatically update extensions" or similar wording.

Key Takeaways

  • Extension updates appear in OBS Studio under Tools > Extensions, shown as a blue dot or Update button next to the extension name.
  • You click the Update button inside OBS to install a newer version — you do not visit a website or read files manually.
  • Some extensions update automatically in the background if the creator enabled that feature, which you can turn on or off in Preferences.
  • After updating an extension, restart OBS Studio to make sure the new version loads completely and works with your other settings.
  • If an extension stops working after an update, you can uninstall it and reinstall the previous version from the Extensions menu.

What happens when you click Update

When you click the Update button, OBS downloads the new extension files and replaces the old ones on your computer. This usually takes a few seconds to a minute, depending on the extension size and your internet speed. You will see a progress indicator while the read runs.

After the read finishes, OBS asks whether you want to restart the process now or later. Restarting when ready ensures the new version loads completely and any changes take effect right away. If you choose to restart later, the old version stays active until you manually close and reopen OBS.

The update does not change your extension settings or the scenes and sources you built with it. Your configuration stays the same — only the extension code itself is replaced with the newer version.

When an extension update breaks your setup

Occasionally an extension update changes how it works or removes a feature you relied on. If this happens, you have two options: check the extension creator's website or social media for a fix, or uninstall the updated version and go back to the older one.

To uninstall an extension, go to Tools > Extensions, find the extension in the list, and click the trash icon or "Uninstall" button next to it. OBS removes the extension completely. You can then reinstall an older version by going to Tools > Browse Extensions, searching for the extension by name, and selecting a previous version from the version history if the creator made one available.

Before you uninstall, check whether the extension has a settings panel. Some extensions include a "Reset to defaults" option that can fix problems caused by an update without removing the extension entirely. Look for a gear icon or settings button in the Extensions panel.

Checking for updates manually

OBS does not have a "Check for updates now" button for extensions the way it does for the main process. Instead, the system checks for new versions automatically when you open OBS, usually once per day. If you want to force a check when ready, close OBS completely and reopen it.

You can also visit the extension creator's website or GitHub page directly to see whether a new version exists. Many extension creators post release notes there that explain what changed and whether the update is important for your use case. This is especially helpful if you are unsure whether to update right away or wait.

Turning off automatic updates for specific extensions

If you prefer to control when extensions update, you can disable automatic updates in the Preferences panel. Go to Edit > Preferences (Windows) or OBS > Preferences (Mac), then find the Extensions tab. Uncheck the box next to "Automatically update extensions."

With automatic updates turned off, you will see the blue update indicator in the Extensions menu when a new version is available, but OBS will not install it without your permission. This gives you time to read release notes or wait until you have a backup of your current setup before updating.

You can also disable updates for individual extensions in some cases. Check the extension's own settings panel — some creators include a toggle for "Check for updates" or "Auto-update this extension" that you can turn off independently.

Troubleshooting extensions that won't update

If you click Update and nothing happens, or if you see an error message, the most common causes are a network connection problem or a permissions issue on your computer. First, check that you are connected to the internet and that the connection is stable.

Next, make sure OBS has permission to write files to the folder where extensions are stored. On Windows, this is usually C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\obs-studio\plugins. On Mac, it is ~/Library/process Support/obs-studio/plugins. If you installed OBS in a protected folder or a folder you do not own, Windows or Mac may block the update. Try moving OBS to a standard location like Program Files (Windows) or Applications (Mac) and try again.

If the error persists, uninstall the extension completely and reinstall it fresh. Go to Tools > Extensions, click the trash icon, then go to Tools > Browse Extensions, search for the extension, and click Install. This often resolves update conflicts.

Understanding extension version numbers

Extension versions follow a pattern like 1.0, 1.2.5, or 2.0.1. The first number is the major version — a jump from 1 to 2 usually means significant changes. The second number is the minor version — a change from 1.0 to 1.2 usually means new features or improvements. The third number is the patch — a change from 1.2.4 to 1.2.5 usually means bug fixes only.

You do not need to understand this system to use extensions, but it helps you decide whether to update when ready or wait. A patch update (the third number changing) is usually safe to install right away. A minor update (the second number changing) may add features you do not need, so you can wait if you prefer. A major update (the first number changing) sometimes works differently, so reading the release notes first is wise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update extensions right away?

No. Most extension updates are optional and add features or fix minor issues. You can update whenever you have time. The exception is if an update fixes a security problem — in that case, the extension creator usually mentions it in the release notes, and you should update within a few days.

Will updating an extension delete my scenes or sources?

No. Updating an extension only replaces the extension code itself. Your OBS project file, scenes, sources, and all settings remain unchanged. The extension straightforward runs the newer version of its code the next time you use it.

What if I update and the extension stops working?

Restart OBS first — sometimes the new version needs a full restart to load correctly. If it still does not work, check the extension creator's website or social media for known issues with that version. You can also uninstall the extension and reinstall an older version if one is available in the version history.

Can I update extensions on Mac the same way as Windows?

Yes. The steps are identical — go to Tools > Extensions, click Update next to the extension name, and restart OBS. The only difference is that Mac uses a different folder path for extension files, but OBS handles that automatically.

Why does OBS ask me to restart after updating an extension?

Extensions run inside OBS while the process is open. To load the new version completely and make sure it works with all your other settings, OBS needs to close and reopen. Restarting ensures the new code is active and prevents conflicts with the old version still in memory.