Connect your Twitch account to OBS in three steps

To stream to Twitch using OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), you need to link your Twitch account to OBS and then add your stream key. OBS is free software that lets you control what your audience sees — you can switch between camera feeds, add overlays, adjust audio levels, and more. Twitch provides the stream key, which is a unique code that tells OBS where to send your broadcast.

The connection process takes about five minutes and involves getting your stream key from Twitch, then pasting it into OBS settings. Once linked, you can start streaming by clicking a single button in OBS.

Key Takeaways

  • Your stream key is a unique code from Twitch that you paste into OBS to connect the two — treat it like a password and never share it publicly.
  • You find your stream key in Twitch Creator Dashboard under Settings, then Stream, then copy the primary stream key.
  • In OBS, you paste the stream key into Settings, Stream, under the Server dropdown (which should already say Twitch).
  • Test your connection by clicking Start Streaming in OBS — if it works, you will see "Streaming" in green at the bottom of the window.
  • You can stream to Twitch without OBS using Twitch Studio, but OBS gives you far more control over what your viewers see.

Get your stream key from Twitch

Log into your Twitch account on a web browser and go to the Creator Dashboard. Click Settings in the left sidebar, then click Stream in the menu that appears. You will see a section called Primary Stream Key with a long string of letters and numbers hidden behind dots.

Click the Show button next to the stream key to reveal it, then click Copy to copy it to your clipboard. Do not share this key with anyone — if someone has it, they can broadcast to your channel. If you think your key has been seen by someone you do not trust, click Reset Key on this same page to generate a new one.

Open OBS and go to Stream settings

Launch OBS on your computer. In the bottom right corner, you will see a button labeled Settings — click it. A window will open with a menu on the left side. Click Stream in that menu.

At the top of the Stream settings page, you will see a dropdown labeled Service. Click it and make sure Twitch is selected. If it is not, click Twitch to select it. Below that, you will see a field labeled Stream Key — this is where your Twitch key goes.

Paste your stream key into OBS

Click in the Stream Key field in OBS and paste the key you copied from Twitch. You can right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac. The key will appear as dots for security, just like it did on the Twitch website.

Once the key is pasted, click Apply at the bottom of the settings window, then click OK to close the settings. OBS is now connected to your Twitch account.

Test the connection before going live

In the main OBS window, look at the bottom right corner. You will see a button labeled Start Streaming — click it. OBS will attempt to connect to Twitch. Watch the bottom of the window for a few seconds. If the connection works, you will see the word Streaming in green text, and a timer showing how long you have been streaming will appear.

If you see an error message instead, the most common causes are a typo in the stream key, an incorrect Service selection, or a firewall blocking OBS. Check that Twitch is still selected in the Service dropdown and that the stream key matches exactly what you copied from Twitch. If you are still stuck, click Stop Streaming and try again after waiting 30 seconds.

What to do if the connection fails

If OBS shows an error when you click Start Streaming, first check that you copied the entire stream key without any extra spaces. Go back to the Twitch Creator Dashboard, click Show next to your stream key again, and copy it a second time. Paste it into OBS again and try starting the stream.

If that does not work, your firewall or antivirus software may be blocking OBS. Check your firewall settings and make sure OBS is allowed to access the internet. On Windows, search for Windows Defender Firewall in the Start menu, click Allow an app through firewall, and look for OBS in the list. If it is not there, click Allow another app and browse to your OBS installation folder to add it.

If you are still having trouble, reset your stream key in Twitch (go to Creator Dashboard, Settings, Stream, and click Reset Key), wait a minute, copy the new key, and paste it into OBS again.

Alternatives if you do not want to use OBS

Twitch Studio is a simpler option if you want to stream without learning OBS. It is made by Twitch and connects automatically — you just log in with your Twitch account and it handles the stream key for you. Twitch Studio has fewer features than OBS but is easier to start with if you are new to streaming.

Some games also have built-in streaming features. If you are playing a game on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch, you can stream directly to Twitch without any software. On PC, some games let you stream through NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software if you have those graphics cards. These built-in options are limited compared to OBS but require no setup beyond logging in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not see a Stream Key button in my Twitch settings?

Make sure you are logged into Twitch and in the Creator Dashboard, not just your regular account page. The Stream Key only appears in Creator Dashboard under Settings, then Stream. If you still do not see it, your account may not have streaming turned on — check that you have verified your email address and your account is at least a few days old.

Can I use the same stream key on multiple computers?

Yes, you can use the same stream key on as many computers as you want. However, only one stream can be active at a time — if you start streaming from two computers with the same key, the second one will disconnect the first. If you want to stream from multiple computers regularly, reset your key after each session.

Is my stream key the same as my password?

No. Your password logs you into Twitch, while your stream key tells OBS where to send your broadcast. They are separate. If someone gets your stream key, they cannot log into your account, but they can broadcast to your channel. If someone gets your password, they can change your settings and lock you out.

What happens if I reset my stream key?

Resetting your key generates a new one and makes the old one stop working. If you are currently streaming, you will be disconnected. You will need to copy the new key and paste it into OBS again. Reset your key if you think someone has seen it or if you want to stop a stream from an old computer.

Do I need to be a Twitch Affiliate to stream with OBS?

No. Any Twitch account can stream with OBS, even brand new ones. You do not need to be an Affiliate or Partner. The only requirement is that your account is old enough to stream (usually a few days) and you have verified your email address.