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To use Streamlabs Desktop as a camera in a video call, install and start its Virtual Webcam, then select Streamlabs Desktop as the camera in your conferencing app. The app sends your composed Streamlabs scene—not just a raw webcam feed—to the call.
Set up Streamlabs Desktop Virtual Camera
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Open Streamlabs Desktop and go to Settings > Virtual Webcam.
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Select Install Virtual Webcam. When installation finishes, return to the main Streamlabs Desktop window.
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Select Start Virtual Webcam. Keep Streamlabs Desktop running while you use its virtual camera.
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Open your conferencing app and find its camera or video-device selector. Streamlabs documents Zoom as an example where the scene may appear automatically. If it does not, open the camera menu beside the video control and select Streamlabs Desktop.
Streamlabs describes the feature as working with most video conferencing applications, but does not provide an exhaustive compatibility list. The exact device label and menu location can vary by app and version.
Choose what appears in the call
The virtual camera outputs the active Streamlabs scene. You can use a simple webcam scene or arrange additional visual elements, such as a corner logo, custom image, green-screen composite, or intermission scene. These are optional scene choices; none is required to enable Virtual Webcam.
Add a physical webcam as a scene source
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In Streamlabs Desktop, open Sources and add Video Capture Device.
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Choose your webcam from the available device list and configure the source in the scene.
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If prompted on first launch, grant Streamlabs access to the camera and microphone.
A webcam is only needed if you want your own camera image in the scene. You can instead build a scene from other visual sources.
Adjust the virtual camera resolution
To change the scene’s canvas resolution, open Settings > Video > Base Canvas Resolution. Streamlabs recommends choosing the highest available resolution, ideally the computer’s native resolution. The conferencing app and the computer’s available resources can also affect the result seen by call participants.
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Fix a missing camera or device
Streamlabs cannot see the physical webcam
This is different from the virtual camera being absent in a call app. If the webcam does not appear as a Video Capture Device in Streamlabs, check:
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Whether the webcam’s driver or manufacturer software needs attention.
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Whether another application is already using the webcam, or whether the same device has been added more than once in the scene.
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Whether the camera supports the custom resolution selected for its source.
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Whether the operating system’s camera privacy settings allow Streamlabs to use the camera.
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Whether antivirus or other security software is blocking camera access.
Streamlabs’ webcam troubleshooting article was last updated December 17, 2021; its Windows menu path and security-software examples may be dated, so check the current labels on your device.
Streamlabs Desktop is missing from the call app’s camera list
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Confirm that Virtual Webcam is installed under Settings > Virtual Webcam.
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Return to Streamlabs Desktop and select Start Virtual Webcam.
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In the conferencing app, open the camera selector and choose Streamlabs Desktop rather than waiting for automatic selection.
Those are the documented checks; Streamlabs’ official feature guidance does not establish a complete current compatibility matrix or list every possible cause of a missing virtual device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
Streamlabs Virtual Camera is for sending a Streamlabs scene into a video call. If your goal instead is to keep prerecorded video playing as a 24/7 YouTube livestream, StreamNeo is a separate cloud service: upload your video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The computer does not have to stay on at home; each slot streams the uploaded file as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free day.
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