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To use Instant Replay in Streamlabs Desktop, turn on Replay Buffer in Settings > Output, add an Instant Replay source to your scene, and assign a save-replay hotkey in Settings > Hotkeys. Start the buffer before the moment you want to capture; pressing the hotkey then plays the recent interval in your scene.
Set up Replay Buffer and Instant Replay
- Enable the buffer: Open Settings > Output, enable Replay Buffer, and choose the capture duration. Streamlabs’ setup guides show 20 seconds and 30 seconds as examples, not required settings. Longer buffers require more memory, but Streamlabs does not specify an exact RAM amount.
- Choose whether it starts with your stream: Open Settings > General and enable Automatically start replay buffer when streaming if you want the buffer to start each time you go live.
- Add the replay source: In the scene where you want the clip to appear, add a source and select Instant Replay. Resize or reposition it in the scene to suit your layout.
- Assign a save hotkey: Go to Settings > Hotkeys and set a shortcut for saving a replay. You can also assign shortcuts to show or hide the replay source, or switch to a dedicated replay scene. Streamlabs recommends using a combination of at least two keys in its hotkey guidance to reduce accidental activation.
- Start and test the buffer: Before going live, click Start Replay Buffer in the Streamlabs Desktop window and test your save shortcut. If automatic startup is enabled, Streamlabs says the buffer starts when streaming; manually starting it also lets you capture while not live.
The terms refer to different parts of the workflow: Replay Buffer continuously retains the recent interval you selected, while Instant Replay is the scene source that plays the captured segment after you trigger the save hotkey.
Save and replay the last 30 seconds
To save the last 30 seconds, select a 30-second duration in Settings > Output, start Replay Buffer, and press your save-replay hotkey after the moment happens. The 30-second duration is an example documented by Streamlabs, not a required default. The buffer preserves only the interval it has been configured to retain, so the capture cannot include an earlier moment outside that interval.
Streamlabs’ recording guide documents replay capture durations from one second to two minutes. Choose a shorter interval if you want less lead-in and lower memory use, or a longer interval if you need more context before the moment. The cited guide does not give exact memory requirements.
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Show a replay to your live audience
When you trigger the save shortcut, the captured interval plays through the Instant Replay source in your scene. Place that source where it will be visible to viewers and use the assigned show or hide hotkey, or switch to a dedicated replay scene, if you want control over when it appears. Test the source and shortcuts before going live so the replay fits your scene as intended.
Keep a clip for later editing
Instant Replay is for playing a captured segment in the scene. If your goal is to review, trim, reorder, or export clips later, use Streamlabs’ Replay/Highlighter workflow instead. Streamlabs’ recording guide describes using that workflow to view clips, edit their order or length, and export a finished video. Replay Buffer can also be started manually when you are not live.
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Use a Stream Deck button (optional)
A Stream Deck is not required. If you have one, assign its button the same hotkey you configured in Streamlabs Desktop; the keyboard shortcut remains the action that triggers the replay.
Troubleshoot Instant Replay
- Nothing plays after pressing the shortcut: Check that Replay Buffer is enabled and currently started, that the shortcut is assigned in Settings > Hotkeys, and that the scene contains an Instant Replay source.
- The buffer is not running when you go live: Enable Automatically start replay buffer when streaming under Settings > General, or start it manually from the Streamlabs Desktop window before capturing.
- The replay is missing the beginning of the moment: The event may have happened before the retained interval. Increase the selected duration in Settings > Output, bearing in mind that longer buffers require more memory.
- The replay appears in the wrong place or is not visible: Select the Instant Replay source in the scene and adjust its size and position. Check any source visibility shortcut or replay-scene switch you configured.
- The shortcut fires accidentally: Change it to a combination of at least two keys, following Streamlabs’ hotkey guidance.
Or let it run in the cloud
Instant Replay is for capturing and replaying recent moments in Streamlabs Desktop; it is not a way to keep a YouTube channel live from pre-recorded videos. For that separate use case, StreamNeo keeps a YouTube stream running from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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