How do I set up OBS hotkeys for streaming?
Assign keyboard shortcuts in OBS to start streaming, switch scenes, mute your mic, and trigger replays without alt-tabbing.
Why Use Hotkeys in OBS?
During a live stream, clicking OBS with your mouse is slow and pulls focus from your game. Hotkeys let you mute your mic, switch scenes, start and stop streaming, and save replay clips — all without leaving fullscreen.
Step 1 — Open Hotkey Settings
Go to Settings → Hotkeys. You will see a long list of actions grouped by category: Streaming, Recording, Scene, Audio, and more. Each action has a field where you can assign a key combination.
Step 2 — Essential Hotkeys to Set
Assign these first for a smooth streaming workflow:
- Start Streaming — e.g.
F1 - Stop Streaming — e.g.
F2 - Start Recording — e.g.
F3 - Mute Microphone — e.g.
Ctrl + M - Save Replay Buffer — e.g.
F10
Step 3 — Assign Scene Switch Hotkeys
Scroll to the Scenes section or search for your scene names. Assign a unique key to each scene — for example, 1 for Gameplay, 2 for BRB, and 3 for Ending. Test each hotkey in preview mode to confirm the correct scene activates.
Step 4 — Avoid Conflicts
Choose keys your game does not already use. Function keys (F1–F12) and combinations with Ctrl or Alt are safest. Avoid WASD area keys for gaming streams. OBS warns about duplicate assignments — resolve any conflicts shown in red.
Step 5 — Hotkeys Work Globally
OBS hotkeys fire even when OBS is not the focused window, as long as OBS is running. This is exactly what you want during fullscreen gaming. If a hotkey stops working, check that OBS is not minimized to tray with hotkeys disabled under Settings → Advanced.
Recommended Hotkey Layout
- Stream start/stop on function keys away from game binds
- Number keys for quick scene switching
- Mic mute on an easy reach combo like
Ctrl + M - Replay buffer on a single key for instant clip saves
- Test all hotkeys once before going live
Good hotkeys become muscle memory fast — they are one of the highest-impact quality-of-life improvements for any streamer. Write your key bindings on a sticky note until they feel automatic during your first few broadcasts.