Your stream key is in Twitch Creator Dashboard under Settings

Your stream key is a unique code that connects your streaming software (like OBS or Streamlabs) to your Twitch channel. It tells Twitch which channel to send your broadcast to. You find it by logging into Twitch, opening Creator Dashboard, and going to Settings > Stream.

The stream key appears as a long string of letters and numbers. Twitch hides it by default — you'll see a button that says "Show" or an eye icon. Click it to reveal the full key, then copy it into your streaming software. If you've never set up streaming before, this is the only place you need to look.

Keep your stream key private. Anyone with this key can broadcast to your channel, so treat it like a password. If you think someone else has seen it, you can reset it from the same Settings page by clicking "Generate New Stream Key." The old key stops working immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Your stream key lives in Twitch Creator Dashboard under Settings > Stream, not anywhere else on the site.
  • The key is hidden by default — click "Show" to see the full code, then copy it into your streaming software.
  • Your stream key is private information; anyone with it can broadcast to your channel.
  • If you think your key has been compromised, generate a new one from the same Settings page and the old one becomes useless.
  • Different streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, XSplit) all ask for the same stream key in slightly different places, but it's always the same code from Twitch.

Step-by-step: Getting to your stream key

Start by going to twitch.tv and logging in with your account. In the top right corner, click your profile icon (your avatar or username), then select "Creator Dashboard" from the menu. You're now in the dashboard where all your channel settings live.

On the left side of Creator Dashboard, you'll see a menu. Click "Settings" at the bottom of that menu. A new menu appears on the left with several options. Click "Stream" — this is where your stream key lives. You'll see a section labeled "Primary Stream Key" with a hidden code and a "Show" button next to it. Click "Show" to reveal the full key.

Once you can see the key, click the copy icon (usually a small square with two overlapping rectangles) or highlight the entire key and use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy it. Now you can paste it into your streaming software. Do not share this key with anyone.

Where to paste your stream key in streaming software

Every streaming program asks for your stream key, but the location varies slightly. In OBS Studio, go to Settings > Stream, select "Twitch" as your service, and paste the key into the "Stream Key" field. In Streamlabs Desktop, click the settings icon (gear) in the bottom left, go to Stream, select Twitch, and paste the key where it says "Stream Key."

In XSplit Gamecaster, click the settings icon, go to Channels, select Twitch, and paste the key into the Stream Key field. In Restream, add Twitch as a destination, select your Twitch account, and the key is usually filled in automatically if you've connected your account.

The exact wording and location change between programs, but they all ask for the same thing: your stream key from Twitch Settings. If you're unsure where to paste it in your specific software, search the program's help documentation for "stream key" or "Twitch setup."

What to do if you can't find your stream key

If you're in Creator Dashboard > Settings > Stream and you don't see a stream key at all, your account may not be set up for streaming yet. Twitch requires your account to be at least a few days old and to have two-factor authentication enabled. If you just created your account, wait a few days and try again.

If you have an older account and still don't see the stream key option, enable two-factor authentication. Go to your account Settings (not Creator Dashboard settings — your personal account settings), click "Security and Privacy," and follow the steps to turn on two-factor authentication. Once that's done, the stream key should appear in Creator Dashboard > Settings > Stream.

If you've done both of those things and still see nothing, log out of Twitch completely, clear your browser cache, and log back in. Sometimes the page doesn't load correctly the first time. If that doesn't work, try a different browser or contact Twitch Support directly from the help page at help.twitch.tv.

Resetting your stream key if you think it's been shared

If you accidentally showed your stream key on camera, shared it in chat, or suspect someone else has it, generate a new one immediately. Go back to Creator Dashboard > Settings > Stream and look for a button that says "Generate New Stream Key" or a circular arrow icon next to your current key. Click it.

Twitch will ask you to confirm. Once you do, your old key stops working right away and a new one appears. You'll need to update your streaming software with the new key — paste the new key into OBS, Streamlabs, or whatever program you use, and you're done. The person who had the old key can no longer broadcast to your channel.

This process takes less than a minute and causes no harm to your channel or past broadcasts. Your stream history, followers, and everything else stays exactly the same. Only the key changes.

Why Twitch uses stream keys instead of passwords

Twitch could let you log into your streaming software with your username and password, but stream keys exist for security. A stream key is a separate credential that only controls broadcasting — it doesn't give access to your account settings, followers, or billing information. If your stream key leaks, the damage is limited to someone broadcasting to your channel.

If your actual Twitch password leaked, an attacker could change your email, steal your account, and lock you out completely. By using a separate stream key, you isolate the risk. You can reset the key without changing your password, and you can have multiple stream keys if you want to stream from different devices without sharing the same credential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same stream key on multiple devices?

Yes. You can paste your stream key into OBS on your PC and Streamlabs on your phone at the same time, and both will work. However, only one stream can be active at a time — if you start streaming from your phone, the stream from your PC stops. The key itself works everywhere, but Twitch only accepts one active broadcast per channel.

What if I lose my stream key or forget to write it down?

You don't need to write it down. You can always go back to Creator Dashboard > Settings > Stream and click "Show" to see it again. The key stays the same until you generate a new one, so you can retrieve it whenever you need it.

Is my stream key the same as my channel name or URL?

No. Your channel name is what people type to find you (like twitch.tv/yourname). Your stream key is a separate code that only your streaming software needs. They're completely different things.

Do I need a stream key if I'm streaming from my phone using the Twitch app?

No. The Twitch mobile app handles streaming directly — you just tap "Go Live" and start broadcasting. Stream keys are only for third-party software like OBS, Streamlabs, or XSplit that run on a computer or external device.

What happens if someone broadcasts to my channel using my stream key?

Your channel will show their stream instead of yours. Viewers will see their content, and you won't be able to stream until you generate a new key. This is why keeping your key private matters. If it happens, generate a new key immediately and the unauthorized stream stops.