> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.segra.tv/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Troubleshooting

> Solutions to common issues and problems with Segra

This guide covers common issues you might encounter while using Segra and how to resolve them.

## Recording Issues

### Game Capture Not Hooking

If game capture shows a black screen or doesn't hook into your game:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Solution 1: Check for Blacklisted Executables">
    OBS internally blacklists certain applications that cannot be hooked:

    * Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
    * Launchers (Steam, Battle.net, Origin)
    * System apps (Explorer, Task Manager)

    **Workaround**: Segra automatically falls back to display capture for blacklisted apps.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 2: Run Game in Borderless/Windowed Mode">
    Some games work better with game capture when running in borderless windowed mode:

    1. Open your game's graphics settings
    2. Change from Fullscreen to Borderless Window or Windowed mode
    3. Restart recording
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 3: Check Anti-Cheat Software">
    Anti-cheat systems may block game capture hooks:

    * **Easy Anti-Cheat**: Usually compatible
    * **BattlEye**: May require special configuration
    * **Vanguard (Valorant)**: Often blocks all hooks

    **Workaround**: Use display capture instead of game capture for games with aggressive anti-cheat.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Solution 4: 90-Second Timeout">
    Segra waits 90 seconds for game capture to hook. If it doesn't hook within this time:

    * The game capture source is automatically removed
    * Recording continues with display capture only
    * Check logs for the game-capture hook timer entries (e.g. `Started game capture hook timer (90 seconds)` followed by `Stopped game capture hook timer`)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Recording Fails to Start

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Encoder Availability">
    Ensure your selected encoder is available:

    * Open Segra Settings → Video
    * Verify your codec (NVENC/AMF/QSV) is listed
    * If not available, switch to a compatible encoder
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Storage Space">
    Segra requires available disk space:

    * Check your content folder has sufficient free space
    * Storage limit is configurable in Settings → Storage
    * Segra automatically manages storage based on your limit
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Logs">
    Check Segra's logs for specific errors:

    * Log file is located at `%AppData%/Segra/logs.log`
    * Open it from the app via **Settings > Advanced > View Logs**
    * Look for "Failed to start recording" messages
    * Common errors include encoder initialization failures
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Display Capture Shows Black Screen

<Warning>
  Black screens in display capture are often caused by graphics driver issues or incompatible capture methods.
</Warning>

**Solutions**:

1. **Switch Capture Method**:
   * Settings → Video → Display Capture Method
   * Try switching between DXGI and WGC
   * WGC works better on Windows 10 1903+ and Windows 11

2. **Update Graphics Drivers**:
   * NVIDIA: Download from [nvidia.com](https://nvidia.com)
   * AMD: Download from [amd.com](https://amd.com)
   * Intel: Download from [intel.com](https://intel.com)

3. **Check Multi-GPU Systems**:
   * Laptops with integrated + dedicated GPUs may have issues
   * Ensure Segra is running on the dedicated GPU
   * Set GPU preference in Windows Settings → System → Display → Graphics

## Audio Issues

### No Audio in Recording

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Check Audio Sources">
    1. Open Segra Settings → Audio
    2. Verify input/output devices are selected
    3. Ensure device volumes are not at 0%
    4. Test audio devices in Windows Sound Settings
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Audio Output Mode">
    If using "Game Only" or "Game + Discord" mode:

    * Audio won't record until game capture hooks
    * Desktop audio is used as fallback until hook succeeds
    * Check logs for game-capture hook events
    * Switch to "All Audio" mode if game doesn't hook
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Default Device Changes">
    If you selected a "Default" device:

    * Changing Windows default device won't update recording
    * Stop and restart recording to pick up new default
    * Or manually select specific device in Segra settings
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Audio Desync

If audio and video become out of sync:

<Note>
  Audio desync is rare but can occur with very long recordings or certain audio drivers.
</Note>

**Solutions**:

* Restart the recording session
* Update your audio drivers
* Try disabling audio enhancements in Windows Sound Settings
* Reduce the number of audio sources being recorded

### Microphone Audio Too Quiet/Loud

1. Adjust individual device volume in Segra Settings → Audio
2. Volume range: 0.0 (muted) to 1.0 (100%)
3. Can boost beyond 100% by manually editing settings (not recommended)

## Performance Issues

### High CPU Usage

Segra automatically sets itself to **High priority** during recording. If CPU usage is too high:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use Hardware Encoding" icon="microchip">
    Switch from x264 (CPU) to NVENC/AMF/QSV (GPU) in Settings → Video → Codec
  </Card>

  <Card title="Lower Resolution" icon="compress">
    Record at 1080p instead of 1440p/4K in Settings → Video → Resolution
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reduce Frame Rate" icon="film">
    Record at 30 FPS instead of 60 FPS in Settings → Video → Frame Rate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Adjust Bitrate" icon="gauge">
    Lower bitrate reduces encoding workload (Settings → Video → Quality)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### High GPU Usage

When using hardware encoding (NVENC/AMF/QSV):

* **Expected**: 5-15% GPU usage for encoding
* **High Usage**: 20%+ indicates potential issues

**Solutions**:

* Ensure game is using the same GPU as Segra
* Close other GPU-intensive applications
* Reduce recording resolution or bitrate
* Consider using CPU encoding (x264) if GPU is heavily loaded by game

### Game Performance Impact

<Tip>
  Segra is designed for minimal performance impact, typically 1-5% FPS reduction.
</Tip>

If you experience significant FPS drops:

1. **Check Encoder Load**:
   * Hardware encoders (NVENC/AMF/QSV) have minimal impact
   * Software encoder (x264) can impact CPU-heavy games

2. **Optimize Settings**:
   * See [Performance Guide](/advanced/performance) for detailed optimization
   * Lower recording resolution (doesn't affect game resolution)
   * Use VBR instead of CBR for better efficiency

3. **Monitor System Resources**:
   * Open Task Manager during gameplay
   * Check if CPU, GPU, RAM, or disk is maxed out
   * Identify bottleneck and adjust accordingly

## File and Storage Issues

### Orphaned Files Without Metadata

Segra may detect video files without metadata after crashes or improper shutdowns:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Automatic Detection">
    Segra scans for orphaned files on startup and shows recovery prompt
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Identification">
    If AI is enabled, Segra uses AI to identify which game the video is from
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Action">
    Options:

    * **Recover**: Creates metadata and adds to library
    * **Delete**: Removes the orphaned file
    * **Skip**: Ignores for this session
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Storage Limit Exceeded

<Warning>
  Segra automatically deletes oldest content when storage limit is reached.
</Warning>

To manage storage:

1. **Increase Limit**: Settings → Storage → Storage Limit (GB)
2. **Manual Cleanup**: Delete old recordings from library
3. **Move Content**: Change content folder to larger drive
4. **Compression**: Enable automatic compression for clips

### Missing Recordings After Update

If recordings are missing after updating Segra:

1. Check if content folder path changed (Settings → Storage)
2. Manually scan content folder (Settings → Storage → Reload Content)
3. Look for orphaned files (Segra will auto-detect on restart)
4. Check logs for migration errors

## Encoder Issues

### NVENC Encoder Not Available

<Accordion title="Requirements for NVENC">
  * NVIDIA GPU (GTX 600 series or newer)
  * Updated NVIDIA drivers
  * GPU must support NVENC (check [NVIDIA's compatibility list](https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encode-and-decode-gpu-support-matrix-new))
</Accordion>

**Troubleshooting**:

1. Update GPU drivers to latest version
2. Restart Segra after driver update
3. Check if other applications are using NVENC (limit: 3 concurrent sessions on consumer GPUs)
4. Verify GPU in Task Manager → Performance → GPU

### AMD VCE/AMF Encoder Not Available

**Requirements**:

* AMD GPU (GCN architecture or newer)
* Updated AMD Adrenalin drivers
* Windows 10 or newer

**Troubleshooting**:

1. Install latest AMD Adrenalin drivers
2. Enable hardware acceleration in AMD settings
3. Restart Segra
4. If still unavailable, use x264 (software) as fallback

### Intel QSV Encoder Not Available

**Requirements**:

* Intel CPU with Quick Sync Video (2nd gen Core or newer)
* Integrated graphics must be enabled in BIOS
* Updated Intel graphics drivers

**Troubleshooting**:

1. Enable Intel integrated graphics in BIOS
2. Install Intel Graphics Driver from [intel.com](https://intel.com)
3. On laptops with dedicated GPU, ensure iGPU is not disabled
4. Restart Segra after driver installation

## Replay Buffer Issues

### Replay Buffer Not Saving

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Buffer Status">
    Ensure replay buffer is actively recording (check Segra overlay/status)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Hotkey">
    Default: F10

    * Check Settings → Keybinds → Save Replay Buffer
    * Test hotkey is not conflicting with other applications
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Storage Space">
    Replay buffer requires available disk space to save
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Logs">
    Look for "Replay buffer saved to:" or error messages in logs
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Replay Buffer Duration Too Short/Long

* Settings → Recording → Replay Buffer Duration (seconds)
* Default: 30 seconds
* Longer durations require more memory
* Maximum size can be configured separately

## Game Detection Issues

### Game Not Auto-Starting Recording

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Check Whitelist/Blacklist">
    Settings → Games:

    * Whitelist: Only these games trigger recording
    * Blacklist: These games never trigger recording
    * Empty whitelist = all games auto-record (except blacklisted)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Verify Game Executable">
    Segra detects games based on:

    * Executable name matching known games database
    * IGDB game database integration
    * Custom whitelist entries
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Manual Recording">
    If auto-detection fails, use manual recording:

    * Open Segra and click the manual record button on the home screen
    * Or use the **Toggle Recording** keybind (default `F9`) to start and stop recording at any time
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Wrong Game Detected

1. Check IGDB integration (requires Segra.tv account)
2. Manually edit game name in recording metadata
3. Add custom game mapping in Settings → Games

## Update and Installation Issues

### OBS Installation Failed

<Warning>
  Segra downloads OBS components on first launch. This requires internet connection.
</Warning>

**Solutions**:

1. Check internet connection
2. Disable antivirus temporarily (may block download)
3. Run Segra as administrator
4. Check firewall settings for Segra.exe
5. Manually download OBS from Segra's CDN (check logs for URL)

### Segra Update Failed

1. Check for sufficient disk space
2. Close all Segra processes completely
3. Run Segra as administrator
4. Manually download installer from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/Segergren/Segra/releases)

## Getting Help

If you're still experiencing issues:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Check Logs" icon="file-lines">
    Log file location: `%AppData%/Segra/logs.log`

    Look for ERROR and WARNING messages
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub Issues" icon="github" href="https://github.com/Segergren/Segra/issues">
    Report bugs or request features

    Include logs and system info
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord Community" icon="discord">
    Get help from other users

    Quick responses from community
  </Card>

  <Card title="Documentation" icon="book">
    Review other guides

    Performance tips, integration guides
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  When reporting issues, always include:

  * Segra version
  * Windows version
  * GPU model and driver version
  * Log file from `%AppData%/Segra/logs.log`
  * Steps to reproduce the issue
</Note>