Add alerts to OBS using browser sources and third-party alert services

OBS does not have built-in alerts. Instead, you add alerts by connecting OBS to an external alert service — like Streamlabs, StreamElements, or Alerts.me — and then embedding that service as a browser source inside OBS. The alert service watches your stream for donations, follows, subscriptions, or raids, and displays animations and sounds on your stream when they happen.

The process takes about 10 minutes: you sign up with an alert service, connect it to your streaming platform (Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook), add the alert widget as a browser source in OBS, and test it. Most alert services offer free tiers that cover the basics, though paid plans unlock more animations and customization.

Key Takeaways

  • OBS requires a third-party alert service because it has no native alert feature — Streamlabs, StreamElements, and Alerts.me are the most common choices.
  • You connect the alert service to your streaming account, then paste a browser source URL into OBS so the alerts appear on your stream.
  • Free tiers of most alert services include basic animations for follows, subscriptions, and donations, with paid plans offering more customization.
  • Browser sources in OBS need specific width and height settings to display alerts correctly — usually 1920 by 1080 or smaller depending on your layout.
  • Test alerts before going live by triggering a test donation or follow in the alert service's dashboard to confirm the animation and sound work.

Setting up Streamlabs alerts in OBS

Streamlabs is the most widely used alert service for OBS. Start by going to streamlabs.com, signing in with your Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook account, and authorizing Streamlabs to read your stream data. Once connected, Streamlabs automatically detects follows, subscriptions, donations, and raids on your account.

In the Streamlabs dashboard, click Alerts in the left menu, then select the event type you want to customize — for example, Follows. You can choose from preset animations, adjust colors, add custom text, and set the sound that plays when the alert triggers. Repeat this for subscriptions, donations, raids, or any other event you want to display.

Next, go to Settings in Streamlabs, then Integrations, and find the OBS section. Click Get Overlay URL. This generates a unique URL that contains all your alert settings. Copy this URL — you will paste it into OBS next.

Adding the alert widget as a browser source in OBS

Open OBS and select the scene where you want alerts to appear. Right-click in the Sources panel and choose Add Source, then select Browser. Give the source a name like "Streamlabs Alerts" and click Create New.

In the properties window, paste the Streamlabs overlay URL into the URL field. Set the Width to 1920 and Height to 1080 — this matches your stream resolution and ensures alerts display at full size. If you use a smaller canvas, adjust these numbers proportionally. Leave Shutdown source when not visible unchecked so alerts still trigger when the source is off-screen.

Click OK to add the source. The browser source will appear as a black box in your scene until an alert triggers. You can resize and reposition it in your scene layout just like any other source.

Testing alerts before going live

Before streaming, test that alerts actually appear and sound works. Go back to the Streamlabs dashboard, find the alert type you want to test, and look for a Test button — usually a play icon next to the animation preview. Click it, and you should see the animation play in OBS and hear the sound.

If the alert does not appear, check that the browser source is visible in your scene and that your OBS window is in focus. If the sound does not play, verify that your OBS audio output is not muted and that your system volume is turned up. Some users mute OBS audio during setup and forget to unmute it.

Test a few different alert types — follows, subscriptions, and donations — to make sure each one displays correctly and does not overlap with other scene elements like your webcam or game window.

Using StreamElements alerts instead

StreamElements works similarly to Streamlabs. Sign in at streamelements.com with your streaming account, authorize the connection, and customize your alerts in the Alerts section. StreamElements offers a larger library of free animations and more granular control over timing and positioning.

To get your overlay URL, go to Settings, then Overlay, and copy the Overlay URL. Add it as a browser source in OBS the same way: right-click Sources, choose Browser, paste the URL, set width and height to 1920 and 1080, and click OK.

StreamElements also includes a Tip Page feature that lets viewers donate directly from a link you share, without needing a Streamlabs or PayPal account. This can increase donations because the barrier to entry is lower.

Customizing alert animations and sounds

Both Streamlabs and StreamElements let you customize how each alert looks and sounds. In Streamlabs, click an alert type, then choose from preset animations or upload your own video file. You can change the text that appears, the duration the alert stays on screen, and the sound that plays.

For example, you might set follows to play a 3-second animation with a subtle chime, subscriptions to play a 5-second animation with a louder sound, and donations to play a longer animation with music. This helps viewers distinguish between event types and keeps your stream from feeling chaotic.

If you upload custom animations, they must be MP4 or WebM video files. Keep file sizes under 10 MB so they load quickly. Test custom animations in OBS before going live to confirm they play smoothly without stuttering or lag.

Troubleshooting common alert problems

If alerts are not appearing, first check that your alert service is connected to the correct streaming account. In Streamlabs or StreamElements, go to Settings and verify that your Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook account is listed and authorized. If it shows as disconnected, click Reconnect and re-authorize.

If the browser source shows a blank screen, the overlay URL may be incorrect or expired. Copy the URL again from your alert service and update it in the OBS browser source properties. Some alert services regenerate URLs periodically, so if alerts worked before but stopped, try getting a fresh URL.

If alerts trigger but appear off-screen or cut off, adjust the width and height of the browser source in OBS. If alerts are too small, increase both values. If they are too large or positioned incorrectly, reduce the values or move the source in your scene layout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pay for alerts?

No. Streamlabs, StreamElements, and most other alert services offer free tiers that include basic animations for follows, subscriptions, and donations. Paid plans unlock more animation options, custom branding, and advanced features, but the free version is sufficient for most streamers starting out.

Can I use alerts on YouTube or Facebook instead of Twitch?

Yes. Streamlabs and StreamElements both support YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. When you sign in to the alert service, choose your platform, and the service will read events from that account. The setup process is identical regardless of platform.

What if I want different alerts for different scenes?

Add the same browser source to each scene, or create multiple browser sources pointing to the same overlay URL. The alerts will appear in whichever scene is active when they trigger. If you want different animations for different scenes, you would need to create separate alert services or use advanced OBS scripting, which most streamers do not need.

Can viewers donate directly in OBS?

No. Viewers cannot donate through OBS itself. They donate through your streaming platform (Twitch bits, YouTube Super Chat, Facebook Stars) or through a link you share (Streamlabs Tip Page, StreamElements Tip Page, or PayPal). The alert service then detects the donation and displays the animation in OBS.

Why is my alert sound not playing?

Check that OBS audio output is not muted — look for a speaker icon in the OBS mixer and make sure it is not crossed out. Also verify that your system volume is turned up and that the alert service has a sound assigned to that event type. Some users mute OBS during setup and forget to unmute it before streaming.