How to Stream on Twitch: Everything You Need to Know

How to Stream on Twitch: Everything You Need to Know

Get-go streaming on Twitch in no fourth dimension using your favorite gaming platform.

Jan 3, 2022 Share
Gaming, How-To, Streaming Guides

Broadcasting your gameplay to Twitch isn't overly hard, but at that place are a lot of steps to getting your livestream upward and running. Got a Nintendo Switch? You tin can stream from it too using a calculator and an affordable USB adapter. This guide will show y'all how to stream on Twitch even if you lot just want to share your fun gaming experiences with a few friends.

How to stream on Twitch

The following instructions assume y'all already have a Twitch account and y'all're prepare to broadcast from your favorite gaming platform. If you don't already accept an account, sign up on the Twitch website .

Before you begin, exist certain that you accept the best internet connection possible for livestreaming on Twitch. Verizon Fios is the best cyberspace for gaming based on proprietary data gathered from our speed test. It's a fiber-to-the-abode internet service with the lowest latency and the fast upload speeds you need to best circulate your gameplay. Enter your cypher code below to find the best plans in your surface area.

Windows/macOS/Linux

These instructions will show you how to circulate on Twitch using Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) Studio for Windows, macOS, and Linux. The software is free and easy to utilise.

AMD and NVIDIA accept bones GPU-native tools too

While this section focuses on OBS Studio, you lot tin can utilise NVIDIA's GeForce Experience desktop client on PCs with a GTX or RTX GPU, which provides an overlay that includes a broadcast component. On PCs with a Radeon GPU, you tin use the Record & Stream component in AMD's Radeon Software. However, we chose to utilise OBS Studio considering it offers a higher level of customization, broadcasts to more locations, and is a pop multiplatform customer.

Function ane—Connect OBS Studio to Twitch

Step 1: With OBS Studio open, click on Settings , displayed in the lesser right corner. Alternatively, click on File followed by Settings in the drop-down menu.

Pace two: The Settings panel appears. Select Stream on the left.

Step 3: On the right, select Twitch as your service (if information technology's not set already).

Step 4: Click on the Connect Business relationship button.

Step five: Enter your Twitch login credentials.

Don't want to log in?

Enter your stream key instead. You tin discover this key through the Twitch dashboard via Profile > Settings > Channel and Videos.

Step six: Click on the Utilise button to cease.

Part ii—Configure OBS Studio

Stride ane: With OBS Studio open, click on Settings , displayed in the bottom correct corner. Alternatively, click on File followed past Settings in the drop-downwards carte du jour.

Step 2: Select Video listed on the left.

Pro tip:

Your Base of operations (Canvas) Resolution is what you'll see on your calculator. Your Output (Scaled) Resolution is what viewers will see.

Step iii: Set your Base and Output resolutions and then click Use .

Stride 4: Select Output listed on the left.

Pace five: Under Streaming , select a Video Bitrate . Here'south a quick guide:

• 1080p @ lx fps = 6,000 Kbps
• 1080p @ 30 fps = v,000 Kbps
• 720p @ 60 fps = five,000 Kbps
• 720p @ 30 fps = 3,500 Kbps

Footstep half-dozen: Select an encoder: NVENC (NVIDIA), QSV (AMD or Intel), or x264 (software).

Step 7: On the left, select Audio .

Step 8: Under Global Audio Devices , select the correct source for Desktop Sound (your game).

Step 9: Select the correct source for Mic/Auxiliary Sound (your microphone) and so click Use .

Part 3—Create your scene

Step 1: Nether Scenes located in the lesser left corner, click the Plus icon.

Step 2: Enter a name and click OK .

Step 3: Nether Sources , click the Plus icon.

Step 4: Select Game Capture on the popular-upward menu.

Step 5: Enter a name and click OK .

Pace six: The Backdrop panel opens. Select a Style (Fullscreen, Specific Window, or Foreground Window) and enable any other element you want in the session. For case, the Capture 3rd-party overlays setting adds the Steam overlay to your circulate. Click OK when yous're ready.

Step 7: Nether Sources , click the Plus icon.

Step eight: Select Video Capture Device on the pop-up menu.

Step 9: Enter a name for your webcam and click OK .

Step 10: The Properties panel opens. Select the right device, change other settings every bit necessary, and then click OK .

Part 4—Add Twitch chat

Step 1: Log in to Twitch in a browser and click on your profile icon.

Step ii: Select Aqueduct on the drib-down bill of fare.

Step 3: Select Chat .

Pace iv: Click the Cog icon in the lesser correct corner.

Step 5: Select Popout Chat on the popular-upwardly menu.

Stride half-dozen: Copy the URL.

Stride 7: In OBS Studio, click View .

Pace viii: Select Docks and so Custom Browser Docks .

Footstep 9: Enter a name, paste the URL, and so click Apply .

Office 5—First your stream

Step i: Start your game.

Pace 2: In OBS Studio, click the Showtime Streaming push button.

Step iii: To end the session, click the Stop Streaming button and end your game.

Xbox Ane and newer

Now that Microsoft has discontinued Mixer and removed the integrated tools for broadcasting, you need the Twitch app to broadcast your gameplay.

Getting started is a two-part process. Commencement, you demand to verify a few settings on the Xbox. After that, y'all can download and log in to the Twitch app, conform your session settings, and then first your circulate.

Part i—Get your console ready

Here nosotros need to make changes in the system settings before yous install the Twitch app.

Step 1: Printing the Xbox button on your controller and select Settings .

Step 2: Select Business relationship .

Step iii: Select Privacy & Online Safety .

Step iv: Select Xbox Privacy .

Step v: Select View Details & Customize .

Step 6: Select Game Content .

Step seven: Nether Broadcast Gameplay , verify that the setting reads Allow .

Step viii: Under " You tin share content made using a connected photographic camera ," verify that the setting reads Allow .

Stride 9: Printing the B button to go back to the previous screen and select Online Condition & History .

Step ten: Under " Others can encounter if you lot're online ," verify that the setting reads Everybody .

Part 2—Fix Twitch

Stride 1: Install the Twitch app from the Microsoft Store.

Step 2: Log in to your Twitch business relationship.

Pace 3: Go to twitch.tv/actuate on a estimator and enter the six-digit code you run across on the screen.

Pace 4: In the Twitch app, select the Broadcast tab.

Step 5: Choose your video options.

Pace 6: Set a title for your broadcast.

Step seven: Add your camera and microphone.

Part three—Start and terminate your session

Step one: In the Twitch app, select Start Streaming .

Stride 2: Press the Xbox push button to launch the game you want to circulate.

Step 3: Press the Xbox button to reopen Twitch and select Stop Streaming to finish the broadcast.

PlayStation iv and newer

Sony's method doesn't require an app. Instead, you just need to connect the PlayStation console to your Twitch account and yous're good to become.

Office one—Get your console set

Step 1: Select the Settings icon.

Step ii: Scroll downwards and select Organisation .

Pace three: Clear the box next to Enable HDCP .

Step four: Go back to the principal Settings screen and select Business relationship Management .

Stride v: Select Link with Other Services .

Step 6: Select Twitch .

Stride 7: Go to twitch.idiot box/activate and enter the six-digit code you run across on the screen.

Part 2—Start your broadcast

Step 1: First the game you lot want to circulate.

Footstep 2: Press the Share button on your controller.

Footstep 3: Select Broadcast Gameplay .

Step 4: The Broadcast Gameplay panel appears on your screen. Check the box next to each setting to enable or disable the following:

• Include video from PlayStation Photographic camera in Circulate
• Include Microphone Audio in Circulate
• Display Message to Spectators and Spectators' Comments

Step v: Enter a title for your broadcast.

Step 6: Select the output quality.

Pace vii: Select Offset Broadcasting to begin.

Step eight: Press Share , select Broadcast Settings , and and so select Stop Broadcasting to end the session.

Nintendo Switch (original and OLED)

Then, this is a pain. Nintendo doesn't provide a native tool and there's no Switch-specific Twitch app. Instead, you need a capture card connected to a computer and extra software to ship your stream to Twitch.

Here we will use Avermedia's Alive Gamer Portable 2 Plus considering it'south affordable, connects via USB, and supports 4K displays. We volition also use the included RECentral software for Windows —the instructions for RECentral Limited on macOS may be dissimilar.

Alarm:

This method does not work with the Nintendo Switch Lite because the panel does not have the required Pericom matrix switch to ship video through the USB-C port.

Part ane—Connect the adapter

Pace i: Connect the Nintendo Switch dock's HDMI cable to the adapter's input port.

Step 2: Connect an external brandish to the adapter'southward output port if needed—this is a laissez passer-through port so you can see your Nintendo Switch gameplay.

Step 3: Connect the adapter to a USB-A port on your calculator.

Pro tip:

The desktop software has a preview window showing your gameplay, but you'll desire to keep the software minimized during the broadcast to reduce stress on your computer's CPU. Connect an external display instead, equally instructed in Step ii.

Part 2—Gear up Twitch

Step one: On your computer, open the RECentral software.

Step 2: Select Capture/Stream on the Function Dial displayed in the top left corner.

Stride iii: Nether Capture Style , select Unmarried  if you're non adding a webcam feed, or choose Multi  to add together your live mugshot.

Step 4: Under Capture Device , select Live Gamer Portable 2 .

Step v: Click the Stream tab displayed under the preview window.

Step half-dozen: Nether Streaming Platform , click on the Plus icon.

Step 7: Select Twitch .

Stride 8: Log in to your Twitch account.

Stride ix: Under Server , select a server or get out this setting as Automatic .

Step 10: Under Quality , select i of three presets: Optimal , Skilful , and Normal .

Pro tip:

Y'all tin can edit these three presets or create a new profile by clicking on the Plus icon. Settings yous can modify include resolution, video bitrate, refresh charge per unit, H.264 profile, and keyframe.

Step eleven: Under Codec , select 1 of three options: NVIDIA , QSV (Intel or AMD), or H.264 . Equally shown above, this choice may not be available, so skip to the next step.

Which codec should you lot utilise?

A codec compresses and decompresses video so the data doesn't clog the internet highways like a hairball in a drain. If your calculator has an NVIDIA or AMD graphics fleck, select their codec outset. Nonetheless, a codec selection may not fifty-fifty exist available, as contempo builds of RECentral iv automatically select the advisable codec and don't present boosted options.

Step 12: Check the box side by side to Enable Streaming Fill-in if you desire to apply this feature. This records and saves your stream. If you enable this feature, cull a quality: Same every bit Recording or Same as Streaming .

Step thirteen: Set the Audio (Nintendo Switch) and External Audio (headphones) levels and adjust the Play/Record volume.

Part 3—Start and stop your broadcast

Pace i: Click the Stream button in the bottom right corner to begin.

Step two: Click the Stream push again to stop.

Android 11 and newer

The following steps presume that you already installed the Twitch app and logged in to your business relationship. Several steps are necessary only when setting up your first stream.

Pace i: Open up the Twitch app and tap the Camera icon located in the summit right corner.

Step 2: Tap Stream Games on the following screen.

Step iii: Tap the Enable Microphone button to grant Twitch admission.

Step 4: Tap the Enable Overlays button followed by Open Settings .

Step 5: Select Twitch on the list and then tap the toggle next to Allow Display Over Other Apps to enable this feature.

Step 6: Tap the Back Arrow at the top to return to Twitch.

Stride 7: Select a category and so tap Next .

Don't see the game you want to broadcast?

Tap the game's proper name into the search field and and so tap on a result. For example, y'all volition demand to search for Minecraft.

Step 8: Enter a title for your stream, add tags, select your stream language, and modify the "go live" notification if needed.

Pace 9: Tap Launch Game . Your game should automatically load with the Twitch stream manager overlay.

Footstep 10: Tap the Livestream to begin, so tap the X to minimize the stream manager.

Footstep 11: To terminate the broadcast, tap on the Livestream button and and then tap the End Stream push button.

iOS 14+ and iPadOS 14+

Step ane: Open the Twitch app and tap the Camera icon located in the pinnacle right corner.

Step two: Tap Stream Games on the post-obit screen.

Step 3: Tap on a category and and so tap Next .

Don't see the game you desire to broadcast?

Tap the game'southward name into the search field then tap on a upshot. For instance, you volition demand to search for Minecraft.

Step 4: Grant admission to your microphone (upon get-go use).

Step 5: Enter a title for your stream, and so adjust the Microphone and Device (game) volume.

Step 6: Tap the purple Record button to begin your broadcast.

Stride 7: Switch to the game you want to broadcast.

Step eight: Return to the Twitch app to terminate the broadcast.

What you need for the best Twitch stream

Skilful hardware (computer only)

When you play a game, your graphics scrap handles all the heavy rendering load while the processor deals with everything else. If you lot circulate your gameplay, your computer must re-create all of that hard work and toss it across the cyberspace as you play.

Ideally, you want the remote viewing resolution to be 1080p, or 1920 x 1080, with a rate of lx frames per second. To hit this target, y'all will need hardware that can handle the output while locally maintaining a decent frame rate and quality level on your finish.

Processor: AMD Ryzen or Intel Cadre

While the graphics fleck does all the heavy rendering, the processor handles everything else in and outside your game. AMD'south Ryzen 5000 Series CPUs provide more cores for your dollar while Intel's "Comet Lake" and "Rocket Lake" chips pack a lot of performance per core.

Here are a few suggestions:

* Amazon.com prices (equally of 1/iii/2022 half dozen:36 MST). Read full disclaimer.

Graphics: NVIDIA GTX / RTX or AMD Radeon

NVIDIA's GTX 10 Series is old only they nevertheless work well. If you already have a GTX ten Serial card, exist wary of how in-game settings bear upon your target broadcast resolution and framerate. Consider upgrading to the newer RTX twenty and RTX 30 series for a better broadcast.

On the AMD forepart, y'all can't go wrong with the Radeon RX 5000 and RX 6000 Series cards.

Memory and storage

Generally, all yous need is 8 GB for gaming when yous're non broadcasting. Having 16 GB of system memory, nonetheless, gives your computer room to breathe if needed. Only 32 GB or more is overkill.

On the storage front, an M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD provides your fastest read and write speeds. Both the CPU and GPU pull data from your local storage, then y'all desire an extremely fast drive. A SATA-based SSD is your next step downward while hard drives are the slowest.

Desktop software (figurer merely)

To capture your gameplay on a computer (or the Nintendo Switch), yous need desktop software. We used OBS Studio equally an example, but there are others you may similar better. AMD and NVIDIA too provide native tools, but they work in Microsoft Windows only.

Note that we list Twitch Studio Beta on the nautical chart below. While this software takes the hurting out of setting upwards your broadcast, it'southward just for Microsoft Windows at this time.

A webcam and a microphone

If yous have no plans to engage with your audience, then a webcam and a microphone aren't necessary. If you want to talk trash and display your happy gaming face, you lot can't get wrong with products sold past Razer and Logitech.

Here are a few examples:

* Amazon.com prices (as of 1/three/2022 6:36 MST). Read full disclaimer.

* Amazon.com prices (as of 1/3/2022 6:36 MST). Read total disclaimer.

A good router

Whether y'all broadcast wirelessly or not, you lot need a good router to handle your gaming traffic along with every other connected device. If it's overloaded or merely worn out due to historic period, it will bottleneck your connectedness and reduce your broadcast quality.

If you're broadcasting from a reckoner or game panel, use Ethernet for the best connection. If you absolutely must broadcast over Wi-Fi, utilize the 5 GHz ring.

Alternatively, you can plug direct into a modem and bypass the router altogether—just exist sure your computer's firewall is running and your antivirus is upwardly to date. Go on your wired device connected as usual if yous have a modem/router combo .

If you lot need a router upgrade, here are a few suggestions:

• Best Wi-Fi router for gaming: ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000
• All-time long-range router: ASUS RT-AC88U
• All-time mesh networking router: Google Nest Wi-Fi
• Best Wi-Fi router for streaming: Linksys EA7500
• Best Ethernet cable: Vandesail CAT 7

A proficient internet connexion

You lot need an internet connection with a proficient upload speed for Twitch broadcasting, not a good download speed. Yous're substantially sending (uploading) your streaming bits to Twitch, and you demand enough bandwidth to accommodate your broadcast along with every other connected device.

The problem is digital subscriber line (DSL) and cablevision cyberspace services accept far lower upload speeds than their download speeds. Cobweb is the only exception, which provides equal upload and download speeds, but its availability isn't equally widespread as DSL and cablevision net.

That said, you should consider fiber internet given its upload speeds. Enter your nothing code below to discover the all-time plans—including cobweb internet if possible—in your expanse.

[ZIPFORM]

Both Twitch and NVIDIA provide charts listing the ideal settings and upload speed you demand for a stable, consistent stream. We combined both into a single chart:

Resolution	Frame rate	Bitrate	Preset	Keyframe	Upload speed
1920 10 1080	threescore fps	6,000	Quality (NVIDIA) Veryfast <-> Medium (x264)	2 seconds	8–10 Mbps
1920 x 1080	30 fps	4,500–five,000	Quality Veryfast <-> Medium	2 seconds	4.5 Mbps
1280 ten 720	sixty fps	iv,500–five,000	Quality Veryfast <-> Medium	2 seconds	half dozen Mbps
1280 10 720	30 fps	3,000–3,500	Quality Veryfast <-> Medium	ii seconds	4 Mbps

Resolution	1920 x 1080
Frame rate	60 fps
Bitrate	vi,000
Preset	Quality (NVIDIA) Veryfast <-> Medium (x264)
Keyframe	two seconds
Upload speed	8–10 Mbps

Resolution	1920 x 1080
Frame charge per unit	xxx fps
Bitrate	iv,500–5,000
Preset	Quality Veryfast <-> Medium
Keyframe	ii seconds
Upload speed	4.five Mbps

Resolution	1280 x 720
Frame rate	sixty fps
Bitrate	4,500–5,000
Preset	Quality Veryfast <-> Medium
Keyframe	2 seconds
Upload speed	6 Mbps

Resolution	1280 x 720
Frame charge per unit	30 fps
Bitrate	3,000–3,500
Preset	Quality Veryfast <-> Medium
Keyframe	ii seconds
Upload speed	4 Mbps

Keep in heed that your internet plan may clogging your circulate. For example, Spectrum's highest tier (gig Cyberspace) maxes out at 35 Mbps in terms of upload speed. Ultra Net has an upload speed of up to 20 Mbps, and its Standard Internet plan maxes out at 10 Mbps.

Additionally, you want to use but 75% of your internet programme's full upload bandwidth and so other devices don't interrupt your stream. That means if your plan supports 10 Mbps uploads, and your upload allotment is seven.5 Mbps, and then your stream is express to 1080p at 30 fps.

If you don't know your upload and download speeds, use our net speed exam tool .

Tips for gaining a Twitch audience

If you want to attract a wide audience, y'all demand a reason for viewers to stay on your channel and go on coming dorsum.

Entertain

You lot demand to exist fun and engaging to entertain boyfriend gamers. Viewers are your peers, and so information technology's okay to talk to them every bit such and so long as you're not offensive. Practice your best to rise above any negativity and entertain the audience that appreciates your hard work.

Stick to a schedule

You know exactly when your favorite shows air on TV. Your audience has the aforementioned expectations. Endeavour to exist consistent and then viewers know when you'll be back online to showcase another game in your special way.

Choose your game wisely

This is debatable. Plenty of game broadcasters like Ohmwrecker play what they want and gain a huge post-obit just by beingness entertaining. You could play the worst game of all fourth dimension only gain millions of viewers just by going basics over the atrocious gameplay. Pewdiepie playing Flappy Bird is a perfect example.

That said, if you lot want to gain a huge foothold in the battle royale streaming market, broadcasting Stardew Valley gameplay won't country you lot coveted Fortnite viewers.

FAQ about Twitch streaming

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a livestreaming platform launched in June 2011. Now endemic by Amazon, the service has two.78 million concurrent viewers (average), 105,000 concurrent channels (average), and 8.46 million monthly broadcasters. In 2021, viewers consumed 1,460 billion minutes. ^one

With Twitch, you can do the following:

• Circulate anything legal—fifty-fifty content not specific to gaming, although the audience is generally gamers
• Collaborate with viewers
• Upload recorded video
• Make money through the Twitch Partner Program

How is Twitch different from YouTube?

Twitch focuses on livestreaming and generally feeds a gaming audience. YouTube is more of a content service for streaming uploaded videos on various themes, like music, how-to videos, and so on.

How much does Twitch price?

Twitch is free for broadcasters and viewers alike. The company earns its revenue through advertisements.

Twitch Turbo costs $8.99 per month. This plan extends the save time for all past broadcasts from 14 days to threescore days. This plan is platonic if yous want ad-free viewing, an expanded emote gear up, extended broadcast storage, and more.

Is Twitch safe for kids?

No, Twitch is not safety for kids. Children nether the age of 13 cannot accept a Twitch account, but they tin can lookout man all Twitch content for free. That means they tin view broadcasts containing violence and mature content.

Broadcasts happen in real fourth dimension, so your child may be exposed to developed content. Although Twitch began cracking down on hateful and inappropriate carry in 2018, there's always a run a risk. ^three

The platform's Privacy Notice requests that children nether xiii are not to "use or access the Twitch services at any time or in any mode." Parents who notice that their child has a Twitch business relationship can have it terminated past sending a asking to privacy@twitch.goggle box. ²

Which games can I stream on Twitch?

You tin can broadcast your gameplay from any game unless it falls into i of these categories:

• The game has an " Adults Only " ESRB rating
• The game violates the Twitch Community Guidelines

Twitch currently lists more than 30 games you cannot broadcast, then be sure to bank check that the game you want to stream isn't on there.

Sources

i. Twitchtracker, " Twitch Statistics & Charts ," Accessed January 3, 2022.

ii. Twitch, " Privacy Notice ," Accessed June 1, 2021.

iii. Twitch, " Twitch Customs Guidelines Updates ," February viii, 2018. Accessed June 1, 2021.

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Author - Kevin Parrish

Kevin Parrish has more than than a decade of experience working every bit a author, editor, and product tester. He began writing nearly computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other net-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom'south Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Dominance, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on net security.

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Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital infinite for seven years, and she's edited all things cyberspace for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English language and a modest in editing from Brigham Young University. When she'due south not editing, she makes tech attainable through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet state and that a skilful cyberspace connection significantly extends your life span.

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