Add an MSFS 2020 stream overlay in OBS, with static graphics, browser alerts, SimConnect telemetry, Xbox limits and black-screen fixes.
To add an MSFS 2020 stream overlay, capture Microsoft Flight Simulator in OBS Studio, then place an Image, Browser or Media source above the simulator source. Use Image for a transparent static graphic, Browser for alerts or live data, and a SimConnect-compatible utility when the overlay needs aircraft telemetry.
Most streaming overlays belong in the broadcasting application, not the MSFS 2020 Community folder. They change what viewers see without altering the simulator itself. Only install overlay files in Community when the package explicitly includes an in-sim component.
How do I add an MSFS 2020 overlay in OBS?
Build the scene as a stack of sources, with Microsoft Flight Simulator at the bottom and every graphic or data layer above it.
Which OBS source should I use?
Choose the source according to the overlay format rather than trying to load every overlay as an image.
| Overlay type | OBS source | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent PNG | Image | Frames, logos, labels and static lower thirds |
| Web page or local dashboard | Browser | Alerts, chat widgets and live telemetry |
| Animated file | Media Source | Animated frames and transitions |
| Separate overlay application | Window Capture | Telemetry tools that produce their own output window |
- Create an OBS scene. Add MSFS 2020 using Game Capture and select the simulator window. Window Capture is a useful fallback; reserve Display Capture for cases where neither method works, because it can expose notifications and other desktop windows.
- Set the canvas correctly. Match the OBS canvas aspect ratio to the intended broadcast. If the overlay was designed for 1920 by 1080 but the simulator runs ultrawide, crop or reposition it rather than stretching the artwork.
- Add the overlay source. Add an Image, Browser or Media Source, select its file or address, and move it above the MSFS capture in the Sources list. A static graphic needs a PNG with an alpha channel; a JPEG cannot contain transparency.
- Position and lock it. Resize the source in the preview, keep important information away from cockpit instruments and simulator subtitles, then lock the source to prevent accidental movement.
- Clean up the simulator feed. Remove unwanted tooltips, markers and toolbar elements before broadcasting. Our instructions for hiding MSFS 2020 interface clutter cover the simulator-side settings.
- Separate flying from stream control. Keeping OBS and chat on another display prevents them covering the simulator; see our flight-simulator second-monitor setup. Scene changes and overlay visibility can also be assigned through a Stream Deck control layout for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Make a local test recording. Check text size, audio synchronisation, transparency and source order during an actual flight, not only on the menus.
How do I add live MSFS 2020 telemetry?
Live airspeed, altitude, heading and aircraft data require a separate MSFS-compatible telemetry utility, usually connected through SimConnect.
- Install the telemetry utility outside MSFS unless its documentation specifically supplies a Community package.
- Load an aircraft into a flight before starting or connecting the utility. Many data fields remain empty while MSFS is on its main menu.
- Select the matching OBS source. Add a local dashboard address as a Browser source, or capture the utility's transparent output using Window Capture.
- Check the data definition. Confirm whether the overlay reports indicated or true airspeed, altitude units and local or UTC time before labelling those values for viewers.
- Protect private information. Do not expose an overlay address containing an access token, and inspect maps or location fields before broadcasting from a private or identifiable location.
OBS does not interpret SimConnect data by itself. The telemetry utility translates simulator variables into a browser page, image or captureable window that OBS can display.
Why is the MSFS overlay not appearing?
Most missing-overlay problems come from incorrect source order, lost transparency or a mismatch between the simulator and OBS capture methods.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| MSFS capture is black | Switch between Game Capture and Window Capture. Run OBS and MSFS on the same graphics processor and at the same privilege level, then disable other capture hooks one at a time. |
| Overlay is hidden | Move it above the simulator source, enable its visibility icon and confirm that it was added to the active scene. |
| Graphic has a black box | Use a transparent PNG or an animation format that supports alpha. For Browser sources, confirm that the page itself has a transparent background. |
| Browser overlay is stale | Refresh the Browser source and check that its local application or network feed is still running. |
| Telemetry fields are blank | Load a flight, verify the utility is in MSFS mode, reconnect SimConnect and check whether local firewall rules are blocking the companion application. |
| Stream stutters | Reduce animated Browser sources, lower unnecessary overlay animation rates and leave the GPU enough headroom for encoding. |
Performance and broadcast safety
A static PNG has little performance impact, while animated browser pages, maps and multiple captured windows can consume meaningful CPU or GPU resources. Test at a demanding airport and monitor both simulator performance and OBS dropped-frame statistics; our MSFS FPS counter instructions explain how to expose the simulator's own measurements.
Display Capture can reveal password managers, private messages and desktop notifications when switching away from MSFS. Game Capture is safer because it normally limits the video source to the simulator window.
MSFS 2020 overlays on Xbox
On Xbox, the dependable method is to send the console video through a capture device to a PC and add the overlay in OBS there. Native console broadcasting does not provide the same layered source control, and the standard PC SimConnect telemetry workflow cannot run on the console. Static graphics and browser alerts remain possible on the streaming PC.