How do I stream to Twitch with OBS?

Before You Stream to Twitch

You need a Twitch account with two-factor authentication enabled — Twitch requires 2FA before you can stream. Once that is set up, connecting OBS takes about five minutes.

Step 1 — Get Your Twitch Stream Key

Log in to twitch.tv, click your avatar → Creator Dashboard → Settings → Stream. Copy your Primary Stream Key. Treat this like a password — anyone with your key can stream to your channel. Never share it on stream or in chat.

Step 2 — Connect OBS to Twitch

In OBS, go to Settings → Stream. Set Service to Twitch and Server to Auto (or pick the server closest to you). Paste your stream key into the Stream Key field. Click Apply and OK.

Step 3 — Set Encoder and Bitrate

Go to Settings → Output. Set Output Mode to Simple for now. Choose NVENC (NVIDIA) or AMF (AMD) if available — these offload encoding to your GPU. Set video bitrate to 6000 Kbps max for Twitch affiliates and partners at 1080p60, or 4500 Kbps for 1080p30.

Step 4 — Configure Video Settings

Under Settings → Video, set base and output resolution to 1920x1080 or 1280x720. Set FPS to 60 for fast-paced games or 30 for slower content or weaker PCs. Twitch supports up to 1080p60 for most streamers.

Step 5 — Go Live

Click Start Streaming in OBS. Open your Twitch channel in a browser to confirm the feed appears — expect a 10–30 second delay. Check audio levels in OBS before talking; green/yellow on the mixer is good, red means clipping.

Twitch Streaming Checklist

• Enable 2FA on your Twitch account
• Paste stream key in Settings → Stream
• Use NVENC or AMF encoder when possible
• Keep bitrate at or below 6000 Kbps
• Monitor your stream on Twitch to verify audio and video

Once live, engage with chat and keep an eye on OBS stats — dropped frames mean you should lower bitrate or resolution. Twitch also shows stream health in Creator Dashboard under the stream preview, which helps confirm viewers see a smooth feed.