Add an overlay in OBS Studio or Streamlabs Desktop by adding it as a source to the scene you send to YouTube. Use an Image source for a static graphic, Text for a label, or Browser for a live webpage widget such as chat or alerts. YouTube Live Control Room is not where you build this composition: it is assembled in your streaming software before it reaches YouTube.
Choose the right overlay source
| Overlay | Source to use | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Static frame, logo, or corner graphic | Image | Choose an image file on your computer. OBS and Streamlabs describe image files as scene sources; no paid asset is required by this workflow. |
| Simple wording, such as a title or player name | Text | Keep the wording short enough to read at the stream’s output size. |
| Live chat, alerts, or another webpage widget | Browser | Use the widget or webpage URL provided by its service, following that provider’s current instructions. OBS says Browser Source adds a web page to a scene; OBS itself does not provide chat or alert services. |
| Streamlabs theme or overlay collection | Streamlabs Desktop library, OBS plugin, or imported scene collection | For OBS Studio, Streamlabs documents both its plugin and importing a scene collection. The plugin has platform and version requirements; importing a collection is the no-plugin alternative. |
Add an overlay in OBS Studio or Streamlabs Desktop
- Open the scene you want to use. Select the scene in OBS Studio or Streamlabs Desktop that should contain the overlay. You can make separate scenes for a starting screen, gameplay layout, and break screen if that fits your stream.
- Add a source. In the Sources area, select the plus or add control, then choose Image for a static file, Text for simple wording, or Browser for a webpage or widget. OBS’s Sources Guide describes its source types. Streamlabs’ overlay guide explains adding image files to scenes in Streamlabs Desktop.
- Set the source content. For an image, browse to the graphic file. For a browser widget, enter the URL supplied by the widget provider and follow that provider’s setup directions. OBS’s FAQs about chat and alerts describe using third-party overlays through a Browser Source.
- Position and size it. Adjust the source in the scene preview. Keep important gameplay or camera content visible, and make text large enough to read in the full stream composition.
- Preview the whole scene. Check the composition before going live, including whether the overlay covers an important part of the picture or leaves text difficult to read.
- Repeat it in other scenes if needed. Add the overlay to each scene where it should appear, or use the source-reuse controls documented for your software version. The exact reuse controls vary by version.
Use a Streamlabs overlay in OBS Studio
Streamlabs documents two ways to bring its overlays into OBS Studio: install the Streamlabs plugin or import a scene collection. Its guide calls the plugin the easiest route and describes scene-collection import as the alternative if you do not want to use the plugin.
Plugin compatibility
Streamlabs’ Quick Start Guide, published May 20, 2026, lists Windows and OBS Studio 28.0.0 or later as requirements. It also notes that some changes, including adding an overlay, may require restarting OBS. Check Streamlabs’ current requirements before installing because compatibility and interface details can change.
Import a scene collection instead
If you do not want to install the plugin, follow Streamlabs’ current instructions to import its scene collection into OBS. Review the imported scenes and sources in OBS before using them, then position or adjust the overlay in the scene preview as needed.
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Keep in mind when using chat and alerts
A graphic file and a live widget are not interchangeable: an image source displays a local static asset, while a widget usually needs a browser source and the provider’s URL. OBS’s FAQ says OBS Studio does not directly provide stream-chat display, and recommends third-party chat overlays embedded with a Browser Source. Its alert FAQ likewise describes third-party alert overlays. The service that supplies the widget controls its setup and content, so follow its current instructions.
Troubleshoot an overlay that does not appear correctly
The available official setup guides do not establish one universal fix for a blank browser source or missing image. Check the source type and content first, then consult the instructions for the software version and widget provider you use.
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- The image is missing: Confirm that the Image source points to the intended file, then inspect the selected scene and preview.
- A widget is blank: Confirm that you used a Browser source and the widget provider’s current URL and setup steps. OBS does not supply the widget itself.
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- A Streamlabs overlay change has not appeared in OBS: The Streamlabs plugin quick-start says some changes may require restarting OBS.
- The plugin cannot be installed or used: Compare your system and OBS version with Streamlabs’ current requirements; the May 20, 2026 quick-start lists Windows and OBS Studio 28.0.0 or later.
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