How to find your Twitch Stream Key for going live on your business channel
To broadcast on Twitch with software like OBS Studio, Streamlabs, vMix, etc., you need your Primary Stream Key. This guide shows the exact steps to retrieve it from your channel’s Creator Dashboard (brand/business account).
Security
Your Stream Key is like a password: anyone who has it can start a live stream on your channel. Don’t share it and don’t show it in public screenshots.
Your Stream Key is like a password: anyone who has it can start a live stream on your channel. Don’t share it and don’t show it in public screenshots.
Table of contents
1) Requirements
- A Twitch account (your brand/business channel).
- Desktop browser (Chrome/Edge recommended).
- Streaming software (e.g., OBS Studio).
- Stable upload bandwidth (Ethernet preferred).
What you actually need
- Stream Key: a long key that authorizes your encoder to stream to your channel.
- In OBS (Service: Twitch) you usually only need the key; the ingest server can stay on Auto.
2) Open the Creator Dashboard
- Go to twitch.tv and log in.
- Click your profile icon (top-right).
- Select Creator Dashboard.
Figure 1 — Open the menu from your profile icon (top-right). Source: Streamlabs (Twitch UI screenshot).
Figure 2 — Select Creator Dashboard from the menu. Source: Streamlabs.
3) Open Settings ? Stream
- In the Creator Dashboard left sidebar, open Settings.
- Click Stream.
Figure 3 — Creator Dashboard ? Settings ? Stream. Source: Streamlabs.
4) Reveal and copy your Stream Key (Copy / Reset)
On the Stream page, look for Stream Key & Preferences and your Primary Stream Key.
- Click Show (if present) to reveal the key.
- Click Copy to copy it to your clipboard.
- If you believe the key has been exposed, click Reset to generate a new one.
Important
After a Reset, the old Stream Key stops working. Update OBS/your encoder immediately with the new key.
After a Reset, the old Stream Key stops working. Update OBS/your encoder immediately with the new key.
Figure 4 — Stream Key & Preferences: Copy and Reset. Source: Streamlabs.
Figure 5 — Primary Stream Key detail with Copy/Reset. Source: Streamlabs.
5) Add the Stream Key in OBS (or any RTMPS/RTMP encoder)
5.1 Recommended: connect your Twitch account (if available)
- In OBS: Settings ? Stream ? Service: Twitch.
- Click Connect Account (recommended) to link Twitch; OBS can manage the key for you.
5.2 Manual method: paste the Stream Key
- In OBS: Settings ? Stream ? Service: Twitch.
- Server: keep Auto (usually best).
- Stream Key field: paste the key you copied from Twitch.
Practical tip
Paste the key without leading/trailing spaces. Even one invisible space can cause connection errors.
Paste the key without leading/trailing spaces. Even one invisible space can cause connection errors.
6) Start streaming and verify you’re live
- In OBS, click Start Streaming.
- Check Twitch (Stream Manager / your channel page) and confirm the status switches to Live.
- If it doesn’t go live within ~10–30 seconds, see troubleshooting below.
7) Troubleshooting
Connection error / “Failed to connect”
- Copy/paste the Stream Key again (no spaces) and retry.
- If you clicked Reset, make sure OBS is using the new key.
- Try switching ingest server (from Auto to a nearby region) if your connection is unstable.
Live is choppy / buffering
- Lower bitrate and/or resolution (e.g., 720p).
- Avoid concurrent uploads (cloud backups, calls, etc.).
- Use CBR and a 2-second keyframe interval (GOP) if your encoder supports it.
Can’t start streaming (account checks)
- If Twitch requires additional security verification (phone/2FA), complete it in your account settings.
8) FAQ
Does the Stream Key change every time?
Usually it stays the same until you click Reset (or regenerate it for security).
Can I stream from two PCs with the same Stream Key?
Typically Twitch accepts one ingest connection at a time. If two encoders connect simultaneously, one may disconnect the other.
Where exactly is the Stream Key?
Creator Dashboard ? Settings ? Stream ? Stream Key & Preferences.
References: Twitch Creator Dashboard • Twitch Help — Stream Key FAQ
