What the test checks
- Picture: a live preview, plus an automatic check for an all-black picture (almost always HDCP on a PS5), a flat single colour (the card isn't getting a usable signal) and washed-out colours (usually HDR).
- Resolution and frame rate: what the card says it's sending, its maximum, and the frame rate actually arriving, measured frame by frame. A card stuck at 30 fps on a USB 2 port shows up here.
- Audio: whether sound is arriving from the card's audio input, with a level meter.
It works with USB capture cards that show up as a webcam (UVC), which covers most current cards from Elgato, AVerMedia, UGREEN, Razer, NearStream and others. Internal PCIe cards and cards that need their own driver may only work in their own app. Use Chrome or Edge for the full set of checks; Firefox doesn't report a card's maximum mode.
Only one app can use the card at a time: close OBS, Discord and the card's own software first.
Fix guides
- Black screen or "no signal" (PS5 HDCP, Xbox, Switch 2)
- Washed-out or too-bright colours (HDR)
- Audio out of sync in OBS
- Party chat or game chat missing
- Lag in the OBS preview
- Setup: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2
Frequently asked questions
How do I test if my capture card is working?
Close OBS and other apps, plug in the card and your console, open this page and press Start test. You'll see the picture, the real frame rate and whether audio arrives, with a fix if something is wrong.
Why is my capture card showing a black screen?
On a PS5 it is almost always HDCP: turn off Enable HDCP in Settings → System → HDMI while the PS5 is connected straight to the TV. Also check the console is in the card's HDMI IN port.
Why is my capture card only 30 fps?
Usually a USB 2 port or cable, the console or game running at 30 fps, or a mode the card can only capture at 30. The test shows the measured frame rate so you can compare ports and modes.
Was this calculator helpful?