Set up Facebook before you connect OBS
You need a Facebook Live setup page and an OBS stream key before you can broadcast. Facebook provides the stream key, and OBS sends your video and audio to that destination.
In the setup shown here, Facebook requires a Page with at least 100 followers to go live. Open a browser and go to Facebook, then find the red Live video icon to the right of What’s on your mind?. Select it, then choose Go live and set up a live video.
Facebook may ask for access to your webcam and microphone at this point. You are using OBS for the broadcast, so you can select away from that request or block it. Then select Streaming software.
Your Facebook stream key appears on this page. Treat it like a password. Anybody with that key can stream to your Facebook account. If the key is exposed, select Reset in Facebook to create a replacement key.
- Select Copy beside the Facebook stream key.
- Keep the Facebook Live setup page open in your browser.
- Open OBS Studio on your computer.
Video Tutorial
Connect OBS Studio to Facebook Live
OBS needs to know where to send the stream. You can connect it directly to Facebook Live by choosing Facebook as the streaming service and pasting the key you copied.
- In OBS, select Settings on the right.
- Select Stream from the menu on the left.
- Open the Service selection and choose Facebook Live.
- Paste your copied Facebook stream key into the stream key field.
- Select Apply, then select OK.
The Settings window closes when you finish. OBS is now configured to send a live stream to Facebook, but you still need to decide what viewers will see and hear.
Create a scene and add your stream content
If you already have scenes and sources in OBS, you can use them. Otherwise, start with one simple scene. A scene is a group of sources. Sources are the items included in that scene, such as a webcam, a screen, a browser source, microphone audio, or desktop audio.
Create a scene first, then add the sources you want under it. Use the plus symbol in OBS to add each source. For a basic Facebook live stream, a webcam and display capture are useful starting points.
- Create or select a scene in OBS.
- Select the plus symbol in the sources area.
- Add a webcam source if you want your camera on the stream.
- Add Display Capture if you want viewers to see your entire screen.
- Add microphone audio and desktop audio as needed.
- Check that your desired sources are visible in the OBS preview.
For example, you can use Display Capture to show the screen you are working on. You can also combine a display capture with a webcam source to show both your screen and camera in one layout.
Preview the stream in Facebook
When your scene is ready, select Start Streaming in OBS. This sends the feed to Facebook, but it does not publish the live video to your audience yet.
Return to the Facebook Live setup page and scroll down. You should see a preview of the OBS stream. Use this preview to check that the right screen or webcam is showing. It is also the place to test your audio levels before you make the stream visible.
If the preview does not look right, return to OBS and adjust your scene or sources. You can keep checking the Facebook preview until you are happy with the video and audio.
Choose where to post and go live
Before publishing, Facebook needs to know where the live video should appear and who can see it. In the left side of the Facebook setup screen, use Choose where to post and select the destination for your stream. This can be your Facebook Page, profile, or another available destination.
Set when you want to stream to Now. Then choose the audience. The demonstrated options include Only me, Public, and Friends. Use Only me for a private test. Choose Public when you want viewers to find the live broadcast.
- Confirm the OBS preview looks and sounds correct on Facebook.
- Choose where to post the stream.
- Set the stream timing to Now.
- Select the audience for the broadcast.
- Select Go live on Facebook.
Your OBS stream is now live at the Facebook destination you selected.
Stop the Facebook live stream correctly
When you are ready to finish, stop the live video on Facebook and then stop the outgoing stream in OBS. In OBS, select Stop Streaming. Once the red dot disappears from the OBS icon, you are no longer streaming to Facebook.
Check the Facebook page after stopping OBS to confirm the broadcast has ended. Following both steps prevents OBS from continuing to send a stream after your Facebook Live session is finished.
More Facebook Tips & Tutorials:
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