diff --git a/UI/data/locale/en-US.ini b/UI/data/locale/en-US.ini
index e53e836fe..3ccb818d8 100644
--- a/UI/data/locale/en-US.ini
+++ b/UI/data/locale/en-US.ini
@@ -111,6 +111,12 @@ ConfirmRemove.Title="Confirm Remove"
 ConfirmRemove.Text="Are you sure you wish to remove '$1'?"
 ConfirmRemove.TextMultiple="Are you sure you wish to remove %1 items?"
 
+# output start messages
+Output.StartStreamFailed="Failed to start streaming"
+Output.StartRecordingFailed="Failed to start recording"
+Output.StartReplayFailed="Failed to start replay buffer"
+Output.StartFailedGeneric="Starting the output failed.  Please check the log for details.\n\nNote: If you are using the NVENC or AMD encoders, make sure your video drivers are up to date."
+
 # output connect messages
 Output.ConnectFail.Title="Failed to connect"
 Output.ConnectFail.BadPath="Invalid Path or Connection URL.  Please check your settings to confirm that they are valid."
diff --git a/UI/window-basic-main-outputs.cpp b/UI/window-basic-main-outputs.cpp
index ce9d67cdf..f0866dd4c 100644
--- a/UI/window-basic-main-outputs.cpp
+++ b/UI/window-basic-main-outputs.cpp
@@ -837,8 +837,13 @@ bool SimpleOutput::StartRecording()
 	UpdateRecording();
 	if (!ConfigureRecording(false))
 		return false;
-	if (!obs_output_start(fileOutput))
+	if (!obs_output_start(fileOutput))  {
+		QMessageBox::critical(main,
+				QTStr("Output.StartRecordingFailed"),
+				QTStr("Output.StartFailedGeneric"));
 		return false;
+	}
+
 	return true;
 }
 
@@ -847,8 +852,13 @@ bool SimpleOutput::StartReplayBuffer()
 	UpdateRecording();
 	if (!ConfigureRecording(true))
 		return false;
-	if (!obs_output_start(replayBuffer))
+	if (!obs_output_start(replayBuffer)) {
+		QMessageBox::critical(main,
+				QTStr("Output.StartReplayFailed"),
+				QTStr("Output.StartFailedGeneric"));
 		return false;
+	}
+
 	return true;
 }
 
@@ -1399,11 +1409,14 @@ bool AdvancedOutput::StartRecording()
 		obs_data_release(settings);
 	}
 
-	if (obs_output_start(fileOutput)) {
-		return true;
+	if (!obs_output_start(fileOutput)) {
+		QMessageBox::critical(main,
+				QTStr("Output.StartRecordingFailed"),
+				QTStr("Output.StartFailedGeneric"));
+		return false;
 	}
 
-	return false;
+	return true;
 }
 
 void AdvancedOutput::StopStreaming(bool force)
diff --git a/UI/window-basic-main.cpp b/UI/window-basic-main.cpp
index dfba7709f..e62122750 100644
--- a/UI/window-basic-main.cpp
+++ b/UI/window-basic-main.cpp
@@ -3876,6 +3876,11 @@ void OBSBasic::StartStreaming()
 			sysTrayStream->setText(ui->streamButton->text());
 			sysTrayStream->setEnabled(true);
 		}
+
+		QMessageBox::critical(this,
+				QTStr("Output.StartStreamFailed"),
+				QTStr("Output.StartFailedGeneric"));
+		return;
 	}
 
 	bool recordWhenStreaming = config_get_bool(GetGlobalConfig(),
@@ -3887,7 +3892,6 @@ void OBSBasic::StartStreaming()
 		"BasicWindow", "ReplayBufferWhileStreaming");
 	if (replayBufferWhileStreaming)
 		StartReplayBuffer();
-
 }
 
 #ifdef _WIN32