To set up Streamlabs Desktop, install the app, connect your streaming account, create one scene, add the game or screen you want to show, check your audio, and test before going live. You do not need a webcam, separate microphone, overlay, or paid plan to make a basic stream.
Before you install Streamlabs Desktop
Check Streamlabs’ system requirements for your operating system and intended workload. Its requirements page, last updated April 8, 2026, lists Windows 11 or macOS 12 or later and 8 GB of RAM as minimums. More demanding games, animated overlays, and advanced plugins may need stronger hardware. Streamlabs recommends an Ethernet connection and says an upload speed of 3.6 Mbps or better is suitable for 720p at 30 fps on most platforms; that is guidance, not a guarantee for every platform or stream.
Install Streamlabs Desktop from the official Streamlabs site. During setup, allow camera or microphone access if your operating system asks for it. You can skip optional equipment and visual extras and add them later.
Complete first-run setup
- Choose live streaming. Open the installer and follow the onboarding prompts for streaming.
- Connect your platform. Sign in to the account you plan to stream from and authorize the connection. Confirm the intended platform before continuing.
- Import or start fresh. If you already have settings from another streaming program, onboarding offers an import option. Otherwise, start fresh for a simpler first setup.
- Select devices. Choose the microphone and camera you actually want to use. A built-in mic or headset is fine; a standalone microphone and webcam are optional.
- Choose an overlay or skip it. Start with a simple layout if you prefer. You can change the overlay later.
The onboarding guide describes both free and Ultra choices. A basic single-platform setup can use the free option; do not choose a paid plan unless you want a feature that requires it.
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Create a scene and add the content to show
A scene is a layout for one moment in your broadcast; sources are the video, audio, and widgets placed in that layout. Begin with one scene and add only what the stream needs.
- In Streamlabs Desktop, create a scene and give it a clear name, such as Live.
- In that scene’s Sources area, add the content source you need.
- Choose Game Capture when you want to show a game, or Screen Capture when you want viewers to see your desktop or another on-screen task. Select the relevant game, display, or screen when prompted.
- Resize and position the source in the preview. Add a camera source only if you want to appear on screen.
Common additional scenes include Starting Soon, Be Right Back, and Ending Soon, but they are not prerequisites. The official Streamlabs quick-start guide covers creating scenes and adding sources.
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Set up and check your audio and camera
During onboarding, select the microphone you intend to use. You can also adjust device choices in Streamlabs’ audio settings. Check that the microphone meter responds when you speak and that desktop audio responds when game or computer sound plays. Avoid selecting duplicate inputs that make your voice echo.
If you want a camera, add it from Sources as a Video Capture Device, then choose the correct camera and position its image in the scene. If you do not want a camera, leave it out; it is not required for streaming gameplay.
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Before a public broadcast, make a short test recording or private test stream and play it back. Check that the game or screen is visible, your voice is clear, and game audio is at a sensible level relative to your voice.
Add and test alerts
- Link the relevant account in Streamlabs if you have not already done so.
- Add an Alert Box source to the scene where alerts should appear.
- Open Streamlabs alert settings and configure the alerts you want to use.
- Use the alert test function and confirm the alert appears in the preview and its sound is audible.
Streamlabs’ alert setup guide explains account linking, alert settings, adding the source, and testing. Alerts are optional; omit them if you want a minimal first stream.
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Choose free or Ultra based on what you need
For the basic setup in this guide, the free option is sufficient. Streamlabs’ getting-started guide identifies multistreaming—broadcasting simultaneously to supported integrated services and RTMP destinations—as an Ultra feature. Plan names and included features can change, so check the current Streamlabs product information before subscribing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Go live and verify the stream
- Review the scene preview, microphone meter, and desktop audio meter.
- Confirm the correct streaming account and platform are connected.
- Start the stream in Streamlabs Desktop and check the platform’s live dashboard or channel to confirm that the broadcast is arriving as expected.
- Monitor the stream and audio once live. If something looks or sounds wrong, stop and correct the source or device before continuing.
Common first-stream problems
- Black game capture: Confirm the intended game is open and selected as the capture target. If you need to show the desktop instead, use Screen Capture.
- No microphone meter movement: Check the selected input device, operating-system microphone permission, and physical mute switch or headset controls.
- Game sound or desktop audio is missing: Check the selected desktop audio device and confirm the game is producing sound.
- Camera is absent: Check that the correct device is selected in the Video Capture Device source and that Streamlabs has camera permission.
- Alerts do not appear: Check account linking, confirm the Alert Box is included in the active scene, and run its test function again.
- Stream is unstable: Compare your connection and hardware with Streamlabs’ requirements guidance. Its 3.6 Mbps upload recommendation is for 720p at 30 fps on most platforms, not a universal threshold.
Or let it run in the cloud
Streamlabs Desktop is for running a live broadcast from your computer. If your goal is instead to keep uploaded videos playing as a 24/7 YouTube live stream, StreamNeo runs that loop in the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; video streams as uploaded at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat 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 StreamNeo day.
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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