How to Stream Games Live on Twitch with OBS Studio

Posted on July 26, 2024

You can skip the first two steps if you already have a Twitch account and OBS installed.

Step 1: Create a Twitch Account

  1. Go to Twitch.tv and sign up for an account.
  2. Verify your email and enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for security.
  3. Customize your profile by adding a profile picture, bio, and banner.

Step 2: Download and Install OBS Studio

  1. Visit the OBS Studio website.
  2. Download the version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  3. Install OBS Studio by following the setup instructions.

Step 3: Get Your Twitch Stream Key

  1. Log in to Twitch.
  2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Creator Dashboard.
  3. Go to Settings > Stream.
  4. Copy your Primary Stream Key (DO NOT share this with anyone).

Step 4: Set Up OBS Studio for Twitch

  1. Open OBS Studio.
  2. Click Settings (bottom-right corner).
  3. Go to the Stream tab.
  4. Select Twitch as the service.
  5. Paste your Stream Key in the field provided.
  6. Click Apply and then OK.

Step 5: Configure OBS for Optimal Performance

  1. Go to Settings > Output:

    • Set Output Mode to Simple.
    • Choose Video Bitrate based on your internet speed:
      • 3,000–4,000 Kbps for 720p 30fps.
      • 4,500–6,000 Kbps for 1080p 60fps.
    • Set Encoder to x264 (Software) or NVENC (Hardware, if available).
    • Set Audio Bitrate to 160 Kbps.

  2. Go to Settings > Video:

    • Set Base (Canvas) Resolution to your monitor’s resolution.
    • Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to 1280×720 or 1920×1080.
    • Set Common FPS Values to 30 or 60 FPS.

  3. Go to Settings > Audio:

    • Set your Desktop Audio to your main output device (headphones/speakers).
    • Set your Mic/Auxiliary Audio to your microphone.

Step 6: Add Your Game Capture to OBS

  1. Click the + button under Sources.
  2. Select Game Capture and name it (e.g., “Game”).
  3. Choose Capture Specific Window and select your game from the list.
  4. Click OK to save the source.

(Optional: Add a Webcam Source by selecting Video Capture Device and choosing your webcam.)

Step 7: Test Your Stream

  1. Click Start Recording (instead of streaming) to test audio and video quality.
  2. Adjust settings if necessary.

Step 8: Start Your Live Stream

  1. Open your game.
  2. Click Start Streaming in OBS.
  3. Go to your Twitch channel (twitch.tv/yourusername) to monitor the stream.
  4. Engage with viewers using Twitch chat.

Step 9: End the Stream Properly

  1. When you’re ready to finish, click Stop Streaming in OBS.
  2. Review your stream performance on Twitch’s Creator Dashboard.

Bonus Tips

  • Use Overlays & Alerts: Add custom overlays, alerts, and chat widgets using Streamlabs or Streamelements.
  • Optimize Internet Speed: Ensure at least 5 Mbps upload speed for smooth streaming.
  • Engage with Viewers: Respond to chat messages and interact to grow your audience.