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To limit your YouTube Live bitrate in OBS, open Settings → Output and lower Video Bitrate in the streaming controls. Choose a rate that fits YouTube’s recommendation for your resolution, frame rate, and codec while leaving upload capacity for network fluctuations and other devices. Use CBR and a two-second keyframe interval, then test and monitor stream health.
Where to lower the bitrate in OBS
- In OBS, open Settings → Output.
- Find Video Bitrate in the streaming output controls and enter a lower value, in Kbps. In Advanced output mode, look under the Streaming section.
- Select Apply, then OK, and test the stream before broadcasting publicly.
This setting limits the encoder’s video bitrate; it does not reserve bandwidth or guarantee a stable stream. OBS interface labels can vary slightly by version. For OBS’s dropped-frame troubleshooting steps, see its Stream Connection Troubleshooting guide, dated September 30, 2024.
What bitrate should you use for YouTube Live?
There is no single best value. YouTube’s recommendations depend on the resolution and frame rate you send to YouTube and the codec used for ingestion. The following are YouTube Help’s recommended video bitrates; its current table does not state a publication year. They are recommendations, not guarantees of stream stability.
| Ingestion resolution and frame rate | AV1 or H.265/HEVC | H.264 |
|---|---|---|
| 2160p (4K), 60 fps | 35 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 2160p (4K), 30 fps | 30 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p, 60 fps | 24 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p, 30 fps | 15 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p, 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p, 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p, 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p, 30 fps | 6 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p, 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p, 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
For example, YouTube Help recommends 12 Mbps for AV1/H.265 or 17 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p60. Its minimum figures for that mode are 4 Mbps and 6 Mbps, respectively. Minimums are not the same as recommended targets. Check YouTube’s live encoder settings for the current table and codec guidance.
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- Pro performance with great pre-amps - Achieve a brighter recording thanks to the high performing mic pre-amps of the Scarlett 3rd Gen. A switchable Air mode will add extra clarity to your acoustic instruments when recording with your Solo 3rd Gen
- Get the perfect guitar and vocal take with - With two high-headroom instrument inputs to plug in your guitar or bass so that they shine through. Capture your voice and instruments without any unwanted clipping or distortion thanks to our Gain Halos
- Studio quality recording for your music & podcasts - Achieve pro sounding recordings with Scarlett 3rd Gen’s high-performance converters enabling you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Your recordings will retain all of their sonic qualities
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Choose a mode your connection can sustain
Measure upload speed under conditions similar to the stream, then make sure the stream’s total bitrate fits the capacity reliably available to OBS. YouTube advises leaving 20% of available upload bandwidth unused; other people and devices on a shared home or office connection can reduce what is available to your stream. See YouTube’s live streaming tips.
OBS’s troubleshooting guide suggests 75% of total upload speed as a starting point when diagnosing dropped frames. Treat that as troubleshooting guidance, not a universal formula: follow YouTube’s headroom advice, account for network variability, and test. If your connection is inconsistent, a lower bitrate may be more reliable than trying to hold the top of YouTube’s recommended range.
Rank #2
- The new generation of the songwriter's interface: Plug in your mic and guitar and let Scarlett Solo 4th Gen bring big studio sound to wherever you make music
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Set the other encoder options that affect the stream
Bitrate is only one part of the encoder configuration. YouTube’s current guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS, H.264, H.265/HEVC and AV1 video, and frame rates up to 60 fps. It recommends RTMPS, CBR, and a two-second keyframe interval; the keyframe interval must not exceed four seconds.
- Rate control: use CBR (constant bitrate) for the stream.
- Keyframe interval: set two seconds. Do not exceed four seconds.
- Audio: YouTube lists AAC or MP3 stereo audio at 128 Kbps. For 5.1 surround, it specifies AAC at 384 Kbps. Audio bitrate is separate from OBS’s video bitrate limit.
Use the values that match your selected resolution, frame rate, codec, and YouTube stream configuration. YouTube’s recommendations may change; consult its encoder settings page before a high-stakes broadcast.
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Test the bitrate before going live
- Start a test stream and include audio and movement similar to the planned broadcast. A static scene alone may not represent a fast-moving stream’s demands.
- Check YouTube’s stream health messages and OBS’s dropped-frame counter while the test runs.
- If the test is stable, use those settings for the event and continue monitoring during the broadcast.
YouTube recommends testing with representative audio and movement and monitoring stream health. A brief test cannot guarantee that a shared or variable connection will remain stable throughout a longer event.
Why OBS drops frames—and what to change
If OBS’s dropped-frame counter rises or its connection indicator turns yellow or red, OBS says the connection may be unstable or unable to sustain the configured bitrate. Lower Video Bitrate under Settings → Output, then test again.
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- Frames drop when other devices are active: competing traffic may be using upload capacity. Reduce the stream bitrate or reduce other network use during the broadcast.
- Frames drop even at a lower bitrate: investigate connection stability, the selected ingest server, security software, or a VPN. Lowering bitrate alone may not resolve these causes.
- You need a fallback while diagnosing the connection: OBS offers dynamic bitrate under Settings → Advanced → Network. It can lower quality as it reduces bitrate; OBS cautions that it does not fix the underlying connection problem.
After changing a setting, repeat a representative test and watch both OBS and YouTube’s stream-health indicators. Avoid treating a bitrate number as a substitute for a stable connection.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- The new generation of the artist's interface: Connect your mic to Scarlett's 4th Gen mic pres. Plug in your guitar. Fire up the included software. Start making your first big hit
- Studio-quality sound: With a huge 120dB dynamic range, the newest generation of Scarlett uses the same converters as Focusrite’s flagship interfaces, found in the world's biggest studios
- Never lose a great take: Scarlett 4th Gen's Auto Gain sets the perfect level for your mic or guitar, and Clip Safe prevents clipping, so you can focus on the music
- Find your signature sound: Air mode lifts vocals and guitars to the front of the mix, adding musical presence and rich harmonic drive to your recordings
- With Scarlett 4th Gen, you have all you need to record, mix and master your music: Includes industry-leading recording software and a full collection of record-making plugins
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