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In OBS Studio on Windows, open Settings > Stream and paste your YouTube stream key into the Stream Key field. Get the key in YouTube Studio under Create > Go live > Stream. If OBS also asks for a server or URL, enter YouTube’s separate stream URL there—not in the key field.
Get the stream key from YouTube Studio
- Sign in to YouTube Studio and select Create > Go live to open Live Control Room.
- Select the Stream tab.
- Copy the stream key shown in the stream settings. Treat it like a password: anyone who has it may be able to send a feed to your stream.
YouTube describes stream keys as “like your YouTube stream’s password and address.” Keep the key private and do not post it in screenshots, chat, or public documents. YouTube Help: Manage live stream settings
Paste the key into OBS Studio
- In OBS Studio, open Settings > Stream.
- Choose YouTube as the service or preset if that option is available. For a manual setup, select YouTube RTMPS as described in OBS’s YouTube setup guide.
- Paste the copied value into the field labeled Stream Key.
- If OBS presents a separate Server or URL field, paste YouTube’s Stream URL into that field. The URL is the destination for the video feed; it is not the stream key.
- Save the settings and start streaming in OBS. Check the Live Control Room preview. For a scheduled stream, wait for the preview and then select YouTube’s Go live control when prompted.
YouTube’s encoder workflow and OBS’s account-linking workflow are not identical. If you linked a Google account in OBS, the interface may not require manual entry of a key; use the controls shown for that connection rather than assuming every setup has the same fields.
Stream key vs. stream URL
| Value | Where to get it | Where it goes in OBS | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream key | YouTube Studio > Create > Go live > Stream | Stream Key field | Identifies and authorizes the feed for your YouTube stream. |
| Stream URL | Live Control Room stream settings | Server or URL field, if OBS asks for one | Specifies where OBS sends the feed. |
If you cannot find the Stream Key field
OBS’s documented key-based route is Settings > Stream with YouTube RTMPS selected. If you connected an account instead, OBS may show a different workflow and the manual key field may not be part of the current setup. The exact presentation can vary by OBS version and connection method; the available documentation does not establish one universal missing-field fix. Check the selected service and whether you are using account linking or manual configuration before changing the connection.
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Troubleshoot a rejected key or failed connection
- YouTube rejects the key: Return to Live Control Room, obtain the current key, and replace the value in OBS. YouTube recommends getting a new key and updating the encoder when troubleshooting connection problems. See YouTube Help: Fix live stream issues.
- The key may have been exposed: Reset it in Live Control Room, then update OBS with the replacement. YouTube says channel owners and managers can reset a key; editors and viewers cannot. Do not keep using a key that may be compromised.
- OBS connects but the stream is not live to viewers: Check the Live Control Room preview and complete its Go live step for a scheduled stream. YouTube recommends testing and monitoring the audio and video during a stream. YouTube live-streaming tips
- The field is still missing: Confirm you are in Settings > Stream and that YouTube RTMPS/manual key configuration is selected. If using an account-connected workflow, consult the controls for that path; a forum suggestion to disconnect an account is anecdotal, not a universal or version-current fix.
Eligibility note
YouTube’s live-streaming tips say a channel must have had no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days to live stream. That is a YouTube eligibility condition, not an OBS setting. YouTube Help: Live-streaming tips
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For a 24/7 YouTube stream made from uploaded videos, StreamNeo runs the loop from the cloud instead of requiring OBS and a computer to stay on. 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 at its original quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. For a camera-based live broadcast, use an encoder workflow such as OBS instead; StreamNeo plays uploaded videos. Start your free StreamNeo day.
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