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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteTo run your own live video endpoint, rent a VPS with a supported Linux image, install NGINX and an RTMP module, define an RTMP application, and point OBS at the VPS. RTMP handles the incoming contribution stream; add HLS (or DASH) only if viewers need HTTP playback in a browser. The reliable sequence is to harden the host, verify the module is actually loaded, pass nginx -t, restrict publishing, and then test the complete OBS-to-player path.
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What the finished setup does
A VPS gives you a public IP address, a Linux operating system and a network location that OBS can reach. NGINX listens for an incoming RTMP connection on TCP port 1935. The RTMP module accepts the stream under an application name such as live, while a secret stream key identifies the publisher. NGINX can relay that RTMP feed to compatible clients and, when configured, package it as HLS or DASH segments for HTTP delivery.
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RTMP is an ingest protocol, not a browser playback format. Most modern browsers do not play an rtmp:// URL directly. For browser playback, the server must write HLS files and expose them through an HTTP or HTTPS virtual host. NGINX’s RTMP dynamic module supports RTMP, HLS and DASH; the capability is documented in the NGINX RTMP module documentation.
Plan the server before installing anything
Choose a supported VPS image
Select a currently supported Linux distribution supplied by your VPS provider. Package names, service defaults and firewall tools vary between Debian- or Ubuntu-based images, RHEL-family images and provider-specific templates. Record the image version, public IPv4 or IPv6 address, administrator username and the provider’s firewall controls before you begin.
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This guide does not promise a viewer limit, bitrate ceiling or latency figure. Those values depend on the encoded profile, network path, disk activity, number of viewers and whether you are remuxing or transcoding. NGINX RTMP forwards and packages media; it does not automatically create adaptive-bitrate ladders, authenticate viewers, provide a CDN or add transcoding capacity.
Reserve the ports you actually need
| Port | Purpose | When to expose it |
|---|---|---|
| 22/TCP (or your chosen SSH port) | Administration | Preferably only from trusted source addresses. |
| 1935/TCP | RTMP ingest from OBS | Open only while you accept RTMP publishers; restrict publishing in NGINX as well. |
| 80/TCP | HTTP delivery and certificate-validation workflows | Needed for plain HTTP HLS or an HTTP-to-HTTPS setup. |
| 443/TCP | HTTPS HLS delivery | Use for public playback when TLS is configured. |
Apply rules in both the provider firewall and the host firewall. The exact commands depend on the VPS provider and distribution, so use that provider’s current firewall documentation rather than copying a command intended for another image. Do not leave a broad SSH rule in place if your administration network has fixed addresses that can be allowlisted.
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Create a non-root administrator and update the image
- Log in with the provider’s initial credentials and create a named administrator with
sudoaccess. - Install your administrator’s SSH public key and test a second session before disabling password or root SSH access.
- Update the operating system packages and reboot if the kernel or core services require it.
- Enable the provider firewall and host firewall with SSH allowed first. Add 1935 only when you are ready to accept a publisher, and add 80/443 only when HTTP playback is part of the design.
Keep a recovery route through the provider console. A firewall rule or NGINX syntax error can otherwise lock you out of the machine.
Install NGINX and confirm the service
Follow the distribution-specific instructions in the official NGINX Open Source installation guide. On Debian or Ubuntu, the documented flow uses apt; other distributions use different package managers and repository names.
- Install NGINX from the supported repository for your image.
- Start the service and enable it at boot using your distribution’s service manager.
- From a trusted computer, request the VPS address with
curland confirm that NGINX returns its default response. - Note the main configuration file, normally under
/etc/nginx/nginx.conf, and the log directory, normally under/var/log/nginx/. Your package may choose different paths; usenginx -Vand the package documentation to confirm.
Do not edit a running configuration blindly. Keep a copy of the known-good file, and make one logical change at a time so a failed validation can be reversed.
Install the RTMP module that matches your NGINX build
The module is not guaranteed to be included in every NGINX package. The NGINX documentation shows sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install nginx-plus-module-rtmp for NGINX Plus on Debian or Ubuntu. NGINX Open Source distributions may use a different package name, a statically compiled module, or a third-party repository. Confirm the package supplied by your selected image and repository before installing it; do not assume that the NGINX Plus package name applies to Open Source.
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Third-party packaging also changes over time. For example, NGINX Extras lists an nginx-module-rtmp 1.2.2 package released July 5, 2025. That is a packaging statement from that project, not a universal NGINX Open Source release claim; verify compatibility with the NGINX version already installed.
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After installation, inspect the package contents or nginx -V output to determine whether the module is built in or dynamic. Mixing a module compiled for a materially different NGINX build can prevent the service from starting.
Load the module and validate before reloading
If your package supplies a dynamic module, add its load directive in the top-level NGINX context. It must appear before the http or rtmp blocks, not inside a server block:
load_module modules/ngx_rtmp_module.so;The relative path is package-specific. Some distributions place modules in an absolute directory or provide a separate include file. Use the path installed by your package instead of copying the example path when it differs.
Run the syntax check from a shell with administrative privileges:
sudo nginx -tContinue only when the command reports that the syntax test is successful. If it identifies an unknown directive, missing module file, duplicate load, or malformed brace, correct that error and run the test again. Reload only after a successful test:
sudo nginx -s reloadA reload applies configuration without needlessly terminating existing worker processes. If the service is stopped or fails to start, inspect the service status and error log before attempting another reload.
Define an RTMP application
Add an rtmp block at the top level of nginx.conf, alongside (not inside) the http block. The following is a conceptual baseline for a private live application:
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rtmp {
server {
listen 1935;
application live {
live on;
record off;
}
}
}listen 1935 accepts RTMP connections on the standard port. The application name is live; it becomes part of the OBS server URL. live on enables live publishing, and record off prevents automatic recording. If you need recordings, make that a deliberate storage, privacy and retention decision rather than enabling it casually.
Place the block only once. If your distribution splits configuration into included files, put the RTMP block in the location included by the main configuration and ensure the include is not duplicated. Run sudo nginx -t after every edit and reload only after it passes.
Restrict who can publish
A publicly reachable port 1935 is not an authentication system. Treat the stream key as a credential and protect the publish action separately from playback.
Fixed source addresses: allowlist at the application
When OBS always connects from a known, stable address, the RTMP application can use the allow/deny pattern documented in the OBS private RTMP guide:
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live on;
record off;
allow publish 203.0.113.25;
deny publish all;
}Replace the example address with the real trusted source address. This pattern is unsuitable when the broadcaster’s address changes frequently, uses carrier-grade NAT, or moves between networks. In those cases, use a high-entropy stream key and an additional network or authentication design rather than accidentally locking out the legitimate publisher.
Use a strong stream key and rotate it
Generate a long, random key that is not a channel name, password reused elsewhere or guessable phrase. Store it in a password manager, enter it only in OBS and rotate it immediately if it appears in a screenshot, log, chat message or public repository. A key is a bearer credential: anyone who obtains it may attempt to publish unless another control blocks them.
Publishing and viewing are separate decisions. An application can accept a valid publisher while still serving HLS publicly, or you can put playback behind a separate HTTP authentication or token system. The RTMP configuration alone does not provide viewer authentication.
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Configure OBS to publish to the VPS
The OBS private-hosting workflow documents the custom-server and stream-key fields. In OBS:
- Open Settings and select Stream.
- Set Service to Custom.
- Enter
rtmp://<VPS-address>/livein Server, replacing the placeholder with the VPS hostname or address. If you use a non-standard RTMP port, include it after the host. - Paste the high-entropy value into Stream Key. Do not append the key to the server field when OBS provides a separate key field.
- Apply the settings, start the stream and watch OBS’s connection indicator.
The application segment in the URL must exactly match the NGINX application name. With the example above, live is correct; a different name such as gaming requires a matching application gaming block.
If OBS cannot connect, check the provider and host firewalls, the VPS address, the listening port, the application spelling and the NGINX error log. A successful TCP connection does not prove that the RTMP module accepted the publish request; the application rules and stream key still have to match.
Add HLS for browser playback (optional)
Use this section only if viewers need an HTTP URL. RTMP ingest can remain enabled without HLS, for example when another RTMP-compatible system consumes the feed. HLS creates playlist and media-segment files, so it needs writable disk space, an HTTP location and a policy for caching and cross-origin requests.
Enable HLS in the RTMP application
A minimal pattern is:
application live {
live on;
record off;
hls on;
hls_path /var/www/hls;
}Create the directory with ownership and permissions that allow the NGINX worker to write temporary segments. The exact user and group differ by distribution. Confirm the installed module’s supported HLS directives and defaults before adding tuning options such as fragment or playlist lengths; module versions supplied by different repositories are not interchangeable.
Do not place HLS files in a directory where unrelated uploads or private documents are stored. Segment files are transient media, but they still consume disk space and can expose content while they exist.
Serve the generated files through HTTP
Inside an NGINX http server block, map a URL path to the HLS directory. This example sets the two common media types and disables stale playlist caching:
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server {
listen 80;
server_name stream.example.invalid;
location /hls/ {
types {
application/vnd.apple.mpegurl m3u8;
video/mp2t ts;
}
alias /var/www/hls/;
add_header Cache-Control no-cache;
add_header Access-Control-Allow-Origin *;
}
}Replace the example hostname and filesystem path. The trailing slashes on location /hls/ and alias /var/www/hls/ are intentional for this mapping. A wildcard CORS header is convenient for a public stream but inappropriate for private content; set an explicit allowed origin or remove the header when cross-origin playback is not required.
For public delivery, terminate TLS and use HTTPS. The HTTP block, certificate configuration and redirect policy are separate from RTMP ingest. After changing either block, run sudo nginx -t and reload only on success.
Find the playback URL
Once OBS is publishing and NGINX is writing segments, request the playlist at a URL such as http://stream.example.invalid/hls/live.m3u8, using the filename generated by your module configuration. The exact filename can vary with the module’s application and stream-name conventions, so inspect the HLS directory and the access log rather than assuming a path. A browser player that supports HLS, or a compatible native client, can then request the playlist and its segment files.
Verify the complete path
- Check the service state with
systemctl status nginx(or the equivalent command for your distribution). - Run
sudo nginx -tand keep the successful output as the baseline for later changes. - Start OBS and confirm its connection status changes to streaming.
- Watch the NGINX error and access logs under the package’s log directory while publishing. Look for rejected publish attempts, permission errors writing HLS files and HTTP 404 responses for playlists or segments.
- If HLS is enabled, request the generated
.m3u8URL from a client after the stream starts. A request made before the first playlist exists will naturally return an error. - Stop OBS and confirm that new segments stop arriving. If recording is disabled, no recording files should be created by this application.
These checks establish whether each layer is working: service, configuration, RTMP publish, file generation and HTTP delivery. They do not constitute a capacity benchmark. Test with the expected encoder settings, network conditions and number of viewers before relying on the server for an event.
Troubleshoot by symptom
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
unknown directive "rtmp" |
The module is not installed, loaded or compatible with the NGINX binary. | Confirm the package, module path, load_module placement and nginx -V output; then rerun nginx -t. |
| NGINX will not reload | A syntax error, duplicate block, missing file or invalid directive. | Read the exact nginx -t error and the NGINX error log. Restore the last known-good configuration if necessary. |
| OBS cannot connect | Port 1935 blocked, wrong address or port, service not listening, or provider firewall rule missing. | Check firewall rules, service status, the listen directive and the VPS’s public address. |
| OBS connects but publish is rejected | The application name, stream key or source-IP rule does not match. | Compare OBS’s server field with the exact application name and inspect publish-denial entries in the error log. |
| HLS playlist returns 404 | The stream has not produced its first segment, the URL filename is wrong or the HTTP alias points elsewhere. | Confirm OBS is live, inspect the HLS directory, verify the location/alias pair and check the access log. |
| HLS files cannot be written | The NGINX worker lacks permission or the filesystem is full. | Check directory ownership, mode, available disk space and the error log; do not make the entire filesystem world-writable. |
| Playback works on one origin but not another | CORS policy or HTTPS mixed-content restrictions. | Use an explicit allowed origin where appropriate and serve the playlist and segments consistently over HTTPS. |
| Stream becomes unstable under load | CPU, memory, disk I/O, network egress or dropped packets are constrained. | Monitor those resources and packet loss. NGINX RTMP does not supply transcoding or CDN capacity automatically. |
Operate the server safely after launch
Protect credentials and publishing
- Keep the stream key out of public configuration repositories, screenshots and chat transcripts.
- Rotate the key after any suspected disclosure and update OBS immediately.
- Use source-IP allowlisting only when the source addresses are genuinely stable; otherwise combine the key with a suitable network or authentication control.
- Restrict SSH at both firewall layers and retain provider-console recovery access.
Make recording, retention and privacy explicit
The baseline sets record off. Enabling recording changes the disk requirement, retention schedule, privacy exposure and deletion process. Decide who can access recordings, how long they remain, how disk exhaustion is prevented and how files are removed. Do not infer recording behavior from HLS segment generation: HLS segments are delivery artifacts, not necessarily an archive.
Monitor the real bottlenecks
Watch CPU and memory, disk usage and I/O, network ingress and egress, NGINX worker errors, OBS disconnects and dropped packets. A VPS that can accept one encoded stream may still fail when many viewers request segments or when a second output is added. If you need multiple resolutions, adaptive bitrate, viewer login, tokenized playback, global delivery or automated failover, plan those as additional systems rather than expecting the RTMP module to provide them.
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Upgrade NGINX and the RTMP module as a compatible set. Distribution and third-party packages can lag behind one another or use different compile options. Read the package’s change notes, test configuration in a maintenance window, run nginx -t before reloading and keep a rollback copy of the previous package and configuration.
When a VPS is the right choice
| Requirement | Self-hosted NGINX RTMP on a VPS | Managed streaming platform |
|---|---|---|
| Operational control | You control the Linux host, NGINX configuration, keys and network rules. | The provider controls the underlying service and exposes its own settings. |
| Ingest and playback | You choose RTMP ingest and configure HLS or DASH output yourself. | Protocols and output formats depend on the service. |
| Authentication | You must design publisher restrictions and viewer access. | Authentication features may be integrated, but remain provider-specific. |
| Transcoding and adaptive bitrate | Not automatic; you must add and operate the required processing capacity. | May be offered as a service feature, subject to that provider’s limits. |
| CDN reach and monitoring | You arrange delivery, observability and scaling. | May be bundled, but coverage and metrics vary. |
| Maintenance | You patch the OS, NGINX and module and respond to failures. | The provider carries more infrastructure maintenance. |
| Total cost | Includes VPS time, bandwidth, storage, administration and any added processing. | Pricing and bandwidth terms are service-specific; no general price comparison is established here. |
A VPS is a sensible fit when you need configuration control, a predictable single-ingest workflow and are prepared to operate Linux and the media pipeline. It is a poor fit when you require turnkey global distribution, managed transcoding or built-in viewer identity without building those layers yourself.
Quick Recap
Key configuration references
- NGINX Open Source installation — package installation, service startup, test request and default paths.
- NGINX RTMP module — dynamic-module installation guidance and supported RTMP, HLS and DASH capability.
- OBS private RTMP guide — custom server, stream key and publish allow/deny example.
- OBS private hosting wiki — OBS custom-service workflow.
- NGINX Extras RTMP package page — third-party package version information; verify compatibility rather than treating it as an official universal release.
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