Ever wondered how to stream on Twitch? This ultimate guide will walk you through everything you need to know step-by-step.

Twitch streaming setup


At Lightstream, we love Twitch. With over 2 million daily viewers and a whopping 64% year-over-year increase, Twitch is no doubt the leading platform for live streaming. They’re home to millions of content creators across a wide range of niches and audiences, and their community is one of the most engaged on the planet.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything from how to set up a Twitch account to what equipment is needed for successful broadcasting. You’ll learn what software to use, how to optimize your streams, and most importantly, how to go live on Twitch.

Let’s get started!

How Do You Prepare to Broadcast on Twitch?

One of the main draws of Twitch is how easy it is to start streaming. Twitch has a simple, straightforward broadcast process. In fact, that’s one of their main features —anyone, regardless of technical knowledge, can get up and running on their platform quickly and easily. It’s even easier when you combine it with Lightstream!

Consider the different genres of streaming. Twitch is home to more than just games (Although, trust us, there are plenty of those). From Dungeons and Dragons to cooking channels, there is a community for everything on Twitch. And we all know how important community is.

Find a few streamers that inspire you, and take pointers from them!

Lightstream now gives you Studio 2, so you can instantly multistream any content on all your favorite platforms.

Start Multistreaming For Free


Now onto the technical stuff, but don’t worry, it’s not as scary as you may think:

Create A Twitch Account

The first step in your journey to going live on Twitch is to set up an account. You won’t be able to access the platform’s features without one.

How to Create a Twitch Account for Live Streaming

Twitch provides an easy-to-follow guide on creating an account on their platform. The process ultimately boils down to 3 steps:

  1. Read the Community Guidelines
    Community GuidelinesIt’s important to know what Twitch’s community guidelines are before creating an account. By being aware of the behaviors that constitute violations, you’ll be better positioned to avoid receiving penalties and keep your stream running.
  2. Sign up on Desktop or MobileTwitch Sign Up
    Twitch allows you to easily create an account on both desktop and mobile. Just head over to their website on desktop or search for Twitch on your mobile app store. Click the “sign up” button and follow their directions.
  3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
    Once you’ve set up an account, you’ll need to enable 2FA in order to start streaming. Make sure you have your phone handy!

    Why? Even though it feels like a pain, we promise it’s worth it. This is an added layer of security for you, and prevents your stream and information from getting hijacked.

How To Stream on Twitch: Picking Your Software

Now that your account is set up and you’re anxious to dive into a game, it’s time to decide what twitch streaming software to use to encode your stream. What does this mean? Super simply, encoders make a digital copy of your inputs that can be streamed on the internet.

Although hardware encoders are available, we almost always recommend software encoders when you’re starting your streaming journey (they’re significantly more budget and beginner-friendly). That said, you do require a certain amount of computing power for most of these options – the better your laptop or computer, the better the results! (Don’t worry, we’ll suggest some minimum specs for you below!)

There’s a myriad of options available when it comes to software encoders. To help get you started, here’s a list of the most popular choices on the market:

  • Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
    Desktop screenshot of an OBS streaming layoutSimply put, OBS is the OG. OBS is a free software encoder available on Windows, Mac, and Linux that is ideal for multi-platform streaming, and it revolutionized streaming as we know it. Nothing handles PC game capture better.

    Although the interface isn’t as user-friendly as others, many beginners still choose this software because of its popularity and history. Every streamer knows, loves, (and sometimes curses) OBS, and Lightstream even has one of the founding creators on our team!

    All of us streamers owe OBS a giant “THANK YOU” for the hard work they did to create this, but a few competitors have since come around to tweak the program and make it more digestible and feature-rich.

  • Lightstream

    Desktop screenshot of a Lightstream streaming layout.A simple, cloud-based broadcaster jam-packed with features that removes the need for a high-end computer or a specific operating system. We’re loved by gamers and talk show hosts alike for our ability to create unique, custom layouts in seconds. Plus, we’re platform-agnostic—from Windows to Mac & Chrome to Firefox, you’ll get fantastic quality with Lightstream. Streaming a podcast or talk show? You can use Studio 2 to make things even simpler!

    We even have Rainmaker to help you with alerts and finding the best games to broadcast!

  • StreamLabs Desktop

    Desktop screenshot of a Streamlabs layoutFormerly known as StreamLabs OBS, this custom version of OBS links up directly with StreamLabs and is great for creating custom layouts to easily manage your streams. Unfortunately, StreamLabs Desktop is only available for Windows.

  • XSplit
    3D mockup of an XSplit streaming layoutWith an intuitive and user-friendly interface, many find that XSplit is one of the easier software applications to use. However, note that this software is also only available for Windows.

What Type of Hardware to Use When Broadcasting

Hardware is a big part of how to stream on Twitch. Many popular streamers on YouTube and Twitch use the highest-end equipment on the market, but there are plenty of simple, cost-effective options available.

Here’s a list of things to consider when looking for hardware for your Twitch streaming setup:

  • Computer or Console
    We’ll show you how to stream from both options below. The most important components are your processor and graphics card, which both console and PC have. There are benefits to both options, so don’t feel trapped if you can’t get a gaming PC yet!
  • Microphone
    MicGood microphones can work wonders for your Twitch streaming setup. A clear, smooth voice is one of the most important parts of keeping viewers engaged and interested in your content. Although the built-in microphone that comes with most laptops and headphones is technically enough to get you started, we recommend picking up a standalone microphone as soon as you can.
  • Webcam

Dedicated webcams are another great way of adding more dimension and personality to your streams. That said, even top-quality cameras are of little use without good lighting to accompany the footage, so try lighting your scene first, before making the decision to upgrade. Looking for suggestions? We made a video about it!

You might also consider buying yourself a green screen, a stream deck, and/or a hardware encoder. These aren’t necessary for you to stream, but they can definitely help take your production to the next level.

How To Stream to Twitch from PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

As many popular games are exclusive to certain platforms, it’s no wonder cross-platform gaming and streaming is a huge part of the Twitch community. Here’s how to stream on Twitch with the most popular devices:

How to stream to Twitch from a PS4

  1. Disable HDCP and other settings
    Since Twitch comes built-in to the PS4, all you need to do is change a few settings to get stream-ready. In particular:
    1. Disable HDCP by going to Settings > System
    2. Under Settings > Devices, adjust audio levels and your PlayStation Camera
    3. Enable your audio in-game through Sharing and Broadcast > Broadcast Settings > Advanced Settings > Audio Sharing Settings
    4. Turn on “Display Messages to Spectators and Spectators’ Comments” in-game under Sharing and Broadcast > Broadcast Settings > Advanced Settings

  2. Send PS4 Outputs to Lightstream

    If you’re using Lightstream, setting up console streaming on PS4 is a breeze. Log in to Lightstream Studio with your Twitch account, select the Gamer plan, and adjust your project settings. Then:
    1. Under Settings > Network > Set Up Internet Connection, select Custom, Automatic, Do Not Specify, and Manual
    2. Enter the following IP: 13.89.104.171 (or 52.143.11.150 for European users), and click ‘Do Not Use’

  3. Hook up your PS4 and Twitch accounts

    After you’ve adjusted the above settings, streaming on a PS4 is incredibly easy. Just open your game, tap your controller’s share button, and connect your account. To do so, just scan the QR code that pops up on the screen. You can also head to twitch.tv/activate if your smartphone isn’t QR-friendly.

  4. Start streaming!
    You’re good to go! Title the broadcast and your stream is all yours. Have fun!

How to stream to Twitch from an XBOX

  1. Install the Twitch App
    Twitch is available for download on the Microsoft Store. Simply open the Store, search for ‘Twitch’, and install the app.

  2. Link your Xbox app to your Twitch Account
    If you want to sync your Xbox streams to your Twitch account, you’ll need to link it to your app. Head over to twitch.tv/activate on a phone, tablet, or desktop computer, and enter the code displayed on your console to do so.

  3. Send Xbox Outputs to Lightstream
    If you’re using Lightstream, getting your console to stream from Xbox to Lightstream is simple. Just log in to Lightstream Studio with your Twitch account, select the Gamer plan, and adjust your project settings as desired. Then:

    1. Open the Twitch app on your Xbox

    2. Head over to the ‘Broadcast’ tab

    3. Set ‘Lightstream’ as the destination

  4. Connect your camera & microphone
    Good peripherals like cameras & microphones are essential to a high quality stream. Connect your devices to the back of your Xbox and adjust the following settings at Settings > Account > Privacy & Safety > Xbox Live Privacy > Customize:

    1. Adjust the ‘You Can Broadcast Gameplay’ setting so that it’s allowed
    2. Make sure ‘You can share content made using Kinect or another camera’ is also allowed
    3. Under Online Status & History > Others Can See If You’re Online, select ‘Everybody’

  5. Title your broadcast & start playing!

    Click Start Broadcast. Twitch is usually able to automatically detect when you’re playing. You can also manually create a title – after you do, it’ll start broadcasting.

How to stream to Twitch from a Desktop Computer

Streaming from your desktop depends on your installed software platform. That said, steps will be similar regardless of whether you’re using OBS, Lightstream, XSplit, or something else.

  1. Install your chosen software (& make an account if necessary)
    Though Lightstream works best with console streaming, you can (in some cases) also use it to stream high-quality footage straight from your desktop.

    That said, we built Lightstream specifically to solve streaming from consoles. If you’d prefer to use something else for desktop streaming, OBS Studio, StreamLabs Desktop, or XSplit are all great options. Adjust your project settings as dictated by the platform, add your media sources (audio, video, and so on), & move on to the next step.

  2. Connect your microphone & camera
    Make sure your microphone, camera, and any tertiary peripherals are connected to your computer.
  3. Start streaming!
    You’re good to go! It’s time to get started on your streaming journey.

How to stream to Twitch from Smartphones

1. Install the Twitch App
Head over to either the App Store or Play Store and download the Twitch app for your respective device.

2. Log in to the Twitch website
Twitch will ask for your phone number or, using 2FA (two factor authentication), will send you a text message. Take that code and use it to confirm your log-in.

3. Click the ‘Go Live’ button
Head on over to the top right-hand corner and click your profile image. It’ll take you to a page with a big ‘Go Live’ button. Click that, give access to your microphone and camera, and you’re all set!

4. Title your broadcast & start playing!
Like on other devices, all you need to do is title your stream. On desktop, you can also select a content category and a specific camera – after that, just click ‘start stream’ to get going.

Tips to Optimize Your Twitch Streams

There are a lot of factors that go into making your Twitch streaming setup the best it can be.

Here are a few tips on how to optimize your broadcasts:

  • Get Familiar with Your Software
    The more familiar you are with the software encoders, game consoles, and controllers you use when streaming, the easier it will be to adjust settings on the fly or fix problems as they happen.
  • Keep Your Hardware Organized
    Wires, cords, and cards can quickly get out of hand. Try bundling them together or taping them down so they don’t get tangled or messy. We also recommend having everything configurable within reach of where you’re sitting while streaming. That way, if you need to do something quickly, such as adjust your volume or hit a button on your stream deck, you can do so without leaving the camera frame.
  • Double Check Audio & Video Before You Go Live
    In the interest of time, many people make the mistake of starting their stream without checking to see if their audio or video works. As a result, they can end up playing for hours before noticing a blank screen or a dead mic. By testing beforehand, you can avoid that situation and save yourself a headache.
  • Choose the Right Platform
    An important way to optimize your broadcast is to ensure that you’re using a streaming platform that enables you to share content that looks awesome. Studio 2, Lightstream’s latest offering, ranks high among the ones that you could try out. It’s easy to get started with and doesn’t compromise on the quality of your live stream.

Congratulations! You now know how to stream on Twitch.

Use this newfound knowledge and experience your first streaming session, sponsored by us! Here’s your chance to stream on Twitch for free, starting your free gamer trial subscription today.

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FAQs

What Kind of Content Should You Stream on Twitch?
Over the years, we’ve noticed a trend: passion inevitably rises to the top. People that genuinely enjoy their niche usually stream more consistently (and in higher quality) than people who don’t, and that adds up over weeks and months. Ask yourself: if I didn’t make a dollar from this stream over the next ten years, would I still do it? If the answer is yes, you’ve found a good place to start.

Tip: Collaborating with other content creators or streaming with friends is a great way to gain more viewership, build your brand, and have fun in the process.

How Do I Make My Stream Look and Sound Great?
Like we mentioned earlier, investing in a good microphone and camera will help your stream look and sound great. Your stream’s layout plays an important role in its quality as well. Use software encoders that allow you to customize your look and feel easily, like Lightstream.

What Are the Rules of Twitch Etiquette That Will Help Me Engage the Audience?
First of all, check out Twitch’s community guidelines – their rules come with a number of great tips to keep audiences engaged. Otherwise, try the following:

  1. Always be friendly and polite with everyone in the chat room, so your viewers know that you appreciate them and value their presence
  2. Avoid swearing excessively and do not insult other users (whether viewers in your chat room or other streamers)
  3. Keep interactions civil and block viewers that try to attack you or others

Conclusion

Streaming on Twitch is a great way to get exposure and build a community of friends. Learning how to go live on Twitch might seem like a daunting task at first, but once you get the basics down, it’s smooth sailing and a fun & rewarding hobby.

Still not sure how to get started? Lightstream is an all-in-one cloud streaming platform for creators. It’s simple to use, doesn’t rely on your hardware (no high-end PC or capture card needed), and lets you make beautiful, aesthetically pleasing stream layouts.

You can always reach out to us for help in our Discord or through our support staff! Get the ball rolling with us today!

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