How to Use OBS to Stream on Facebook Live

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 19, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to download and use the OBS Studio application to stream your live video on Facebook, using a desktop internet browser.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Installing OBS

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Open the Open Broadcaster Software website in your internet browser. Type obsproject.com into the address bar, and hit ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return on your keyboard.
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Click your operating system on the home page. You can download and use OBS Studio on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
- Alternatively, you can click the Download tab in the upper-right corner of the page, and download a different version of the OBS streaming software.
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Find the setup file you just downloaded on your computer, and start the installer.
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Click Continue or Next. The setup wizard will guide you through the steps, and install OBS Studio on your computer.
- If you're prompted to agree to the license terms, click I Agree.
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Select your install location. You can install OBS Studio on any partition of your hard drive.
- On a Windows PC, you can click Browse, and select a destination folder for your install.
- On Mac, click on the drive or partition you want to use for OBS. A green arrow icon will appear on the selected drive.
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Click Continue or Next. This will confirm the selected location for your installation.
- If you're using Windows, you can select which components and plugins you want to install here. In this case, make sure OBS Studio is checked on the list.
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Click the Install button. This will install OBS Studio on your computer.
- You may be prompted to enter your computer password here. In this case, enter your account password to proceed with the install.
This will close the installer. You can now use OBS Studio to stream live on your computer.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Setting Up OBS

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1
Open the OBS Studio app on your computer. You can find it in your Applications folder on a Mac, or on the Start menu on Windows.
- If you're opening OBS for the first time, you'll be prompted to review the license agreement. In this case, make sure you understand the terms of service, and click OK.
When you're prompted to run the auto-configuration wizard, clicking Yes will allow you to automatically configure all your streaming settings.
This option will configure your settings for live streaming from your computer.
This will allow you to review and change the auto-configuration settings on the next page.
5
Click Next again. This will confirm your streaming settings.
- If you want to change your settings, you can select a different Base Resolution or FPS rate for your streams here.
- You may be prompted to enter your stream key here. If you don't know it, open your Facebook page's Video Library, and click the +Live button to see it.
This will save your streaming settings in OBS.
The Scenes section is in the lower-left corner of OBS.
You can create multiple scenes and switch between different scenes in your stream.
This will create your new scene.
The Sources section is next to Scenes in the lower-left corner. This will open a list of all the audio and video sources you can stream.
This option will allow you to use your computer's camera to stream video.
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Select Create new. This option will allow you to add your camera to OBS.
- Optionally, you can edit your camera's name in the text field here.
This will allow you to select your computer's camera in a new pop-up window.
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Select your camera on the Device menu. Click the drop-down menu next to Device, and select the camera you want to stream.
- Optionally, you can also select a video resolution from the Preset menu here.
This will add your camera to the selected scene. You can now stream your camera, using OBS.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Going Live on Facebook

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1
Go to https://www.facebook.com/live/create in your internet browser. This page will allow you to create a new live stream on Facebook.
- If you're not already logged in to Facebook, enter your email address or phone number, and your password to log in.
This will allow you to stream live from OBS Studio.
3
Copy your stream key. Your stream key allows you to stream your OBS video on Facebook or on a different website.
- You can highlight your stream key here, and use the Control+C shortcut on Windows and ⌘ Command+C on Mac to copy it.
- If you want to stream on a different website, you will have to change your stream key settings in OBS.
Find and click the Settings button in the lower-right corner of OBS to open your settings.
This will open your streaming settings in OBS.
Make sure Facebook Live is selected next to Service in your settings, and your stream key is correct.
This will save your new stream key settings.
This button is in the lower-right corner of OBS. It will stream your live video to Facebook.
Go back to your live stream page on Facebook, and click the blue Go Live button in the lower-right corner of your screen. This will start your live broadcast on Facebook.