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Set up Streamlabs alerts in the Streamlabs web dashboard: open Streaming essentials > Alert Box, customize the events you want viewers to see, save, add the widget to your streaming software, then test it before going live. The right way to add it depends on whether you use Streamlabs Desktop, OBS with the Streamlabs plugin, or another program.
1. Link your streaming account if needed
If the platform you want alerts for is not available in your Streamlabs account, link it first. Open the profile menu, choose Account Settings > Platforms, then use the merge option for the platform. Streamlabs recommends linking accounts if you stream on multiple platforms. Menu labels may change as Streamlabs updates its dashboard.
2. Open Alert Box settings
- Sign in to Streamlabs.
- In the dashboard’s left navigation, open Streaming essentials.
- Select Alert Box.
3. Choose alert behavior and events
Set delay or moderation
In the Alert Box settings, set an alert delay if you want a short pause before alerts appear. Streamlabs’ quick guide recommends a delay of 2–5 seconds. This is a configuration recommendation, not a required setting.
You can also enable Alert Moderation to require approval before an alert appears. Streamlabs describes Unlimited moderation as allowing more time to approve an alert than regular moderation.
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Customize each event
- Select the platform and event you want to configure, such as follows.
- Change the event’s image or sound using the available settings.
- If you want different alerts for different conditions or milestones, add a variation and define its condition.
- Save your settings before moving to another menu item.
- Repeat for the other events you want to display.
Streamlabs says Alert Box is free for all users. You can use its provided designs and sounds or upload assets. An optional Streamlabs Ultra upgrade gives access to the full Streamlabs library; it is not required to set up alerts.
4. Add the Alert Box to your streaming software
Use the integration route that matches your software. Avoid adding the same widget through multiple routes in one scene, which could make alerts appear more than once.
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Streamlabs Desktop
- Open the scene where you want the alerts.
- In Sources, click the plus button.
- Choose Alert Box and add the source.
OBS with the Streamlabs plugin
- Open Streamlabs in OBS.
- Choose Widgets, then add Alert Box.
- Repeat for each scene where the widget should be available.
OBS without the plugin, or other streaming software
- Copy the Widget URL from the Streamlabs dashboard.
- In your streaming software, add a browser source and use that URL.
- Adjust the source’s placement and size in the scene as needed.
For a Widget URL used as a browser source, Streamlabs documents a Filter Events menu for choosing which events that source handles. That filter does not affect an Alert Box added through Streamlabs Desktop or the Streamlabs OBS plugin. To turn an event off across these use cases, use that event’s Enabled toggle in Alert Box settings.
5. Test the alerts before going live
Use the Alert Box dashboard’s test menu to check basic alerts. To check a particular variation, use Test Variation for that variation. Streamlabs also documents test controls in Streamlabs Desktop and in the OBS plugin.
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- Confirm the alert appears in the intended scene and is not hidden behind another source.
- Check that the image, sound, and timing are what you expect.
- For variations, test the specific variation rather than assuming the basic alert test covers it.
Common setup problems
An alert does not appear
Check that the event is enabled, that you added the widget using the route for your software, and that the browser source has the correct Widget URL if you use one. Then run the relevant test again.
Only some events appear from a browser source
Review Filter Events for that Widget URL browser source. The filter applies to browser sources, not to the Streamlabs Desktop source or OBS plugin widget.
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A variation does not trigger in a test
Use Test Variation on the variation itself and check its condition. A basic alert test is not a substitute for testing each configured variation.
Alerts appear in one scene but not another
Check that the relevant scene includes the Alert Box. With the OBS plugin, Streamlabs’ setup instructions say to add the widget separately to each scene that needs it.
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Or let it run in the cloud
Streamlabs alerts add event notifications to a live scene. If your separate goal is to keep pre-recorded video running as a 24/7 YouTube stream, StreamNeo handles that from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; if YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams of uploaded videos, not camera-based live streams. Learn about StreamNeo, or start the free day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use custom images and sounds for Streamlabs alerts?
Yes. Streamlabs allows users to upload assets; its provided designs and sounds are another option.
Do I need Streamlabs Ultra to add an Alert Box?
No. Streamlabs says Alert Box is free; Ultra is optional for access to the full library.
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