SimHub overlay not showing in OBS: fixes, and a browser-source alternative

If a SimHub overlay shows on your monitor but not in OBS, the cause is usually the capture type, not SimHub: an overlay is a separate transparent window, and a Game Capture or Window Capture of the game does not include other windows. Capture the display instead, or load the overlay in OBS as a browser source.

Fixes to try first

1. Check the overlay on screen first. SimHub’s developer states that games must run in windowed or borderless windowed mode for overlays to work, because in exclusive fullscreen the game owns the monitor and nothing can be drawn over it. If you do not see the overlay on your own screen, OBS has nothing to capture. In ACC, one forum fix was the -borderless launch option plus turning fullscreen off in the game’s video settings.
2. Check the overlay’s visibility setting. A third-party project reports that SimHub’s default “Automatic (Show when game is connected)” can hide an overlay in menus where the game sends no car data. Setting the layout’s visibility to Manual in Dash Studio is the reported fix.
3. Switch to Display Capture. The SimHub forum answer to “I can see it on my screen but OBS can’t” is to capture the whole screen rather than the game window. A Game Capture source hooks the game’s own rendering, so it does not contain a separate overlay window.
4. Try Window Capture with a different method. OBS recommends Window Capture for some games that block Game Capture, in windowed or borderless mode. That captures one window, so it only helps if the overlay is in the same window you pick; for a separate overlay window, add a second source for it.
5. Match privileges. OBS documents that some games need OBS to run as administrator to be captured properly. If the game or SimHub runs elevated and OBS does not, try running OBS as administrator.
6. Use the link SimHub provides. The SimHub forum’s other answer is to add the overlay to OBS as a browser source using a link from SimHub, which avoids window capture altogether. The thread does not name the menu entry, so look in your SimHub version’s overlay options.

Why a transparent overlay window is tricky

Overlays are drawn with a transparent, always-on-top window. OBS’s Display Capture records what the screen shows, so the overlay appears with the game. Per OBS’s own advice, if you need to confirm what is captured, make a short test recording or put OBS on a second monitor, because a fullscreen game stops rendering when you switch away from it.

The browser-source alternative

Horizon Labs takes the second route by default: its HUD is a local web page, so OBS, Streamlabs, Meld Studio or TikTok LIVE Studio load it as a browser source and it does not depend on a window. OBS’s browser source starts at 800×600 and makes the page background transparent by default, so the HUD sits over your game capture. The steps:

1. In Horizon Labs settings, under Display mode, choose OBS (browser source) or Both. The page shows the URL to use, by default http://127.0.0.1:8088/overlay/index.html.
2. In OBS, add a Browser source, paste that URL and set the width and height to your canvas, for example 1920×1080.
3. If you use a different canvas, choose a matching OBS canvas resolution in the same section. 1280×720, 1440p, 4K, ultrawide and a 1080×1920 portrait preset are listed.
4. Place the source above your game capture.

The full walkthrough, including Streamlabs and Meld Studio, is in HUD in OBS and streaming apps. The game still has to be captured by OBS in the usual way. The difference is that the HUD is not a window that capture can miss.

Compared with SimHub, fairly

• SimHub is a broader platform than a single HUD. If you rely on its hardware, plugins or dashboards, keep SimHub and use its browser link for OBS. See Horizon Labs vs SimHub.
• Horizon Labs is a Windows overlay and telemetry HUD with its own editor, the Designer, and a list of supported games. Check that your game is on it before switching.

Good to know

• The browser source needs Horizon Labs to be running, with telemetry from the game enabled.
• If the source stays blank, press Refresh on it in OBS and confirm the port matches the one in Horizon Labs settings. Changing the port restarts the embedded server, so update the URL in OBS.
• Streaming from a second PC? See HUD on a second PC.
• Whether a telemetry overlay is allowed in an online game depends on that game’s own terms.

Sources: SimHub forum: streaming an overlay (OBS), SimHub forum: fullscreen, SimHub forum: overlays not working in ACC, SimHub wiki: Dash Studio overlays, Factory Seat Companion (visibility setting), OBS: game capture troubleshooting, OBS: browser source. Checked 2 November 2026.