Quick Start Guide: Setting Up the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS Studio

The Streamlabs Plugin brings your favorite Streamlabs features, like alerts, widgets, and overlays, directly inside standard OBS Studio. This guide will show you how to install the plugin, link your account, and add interactive features to your scenes.

Requirements

  • Only available for Windows
  • OBS Studio version 28.0.0 or later

Step 1: Install and Connect Your Account

  1. Download the installer from streamlabs.com/desktop/plugin.
  2. Open the installer to start the setup. The program will automatically find your OBS Studio folder and add the plugin files for you.
  3. Open OBS Studio. You will now see a new Streamlabs onboarding window pop up on your screen.
  4. Click Log In & Get Started.

Step 2: Onboarding

These steps are to help you get started as quickly as possible with the Plugin. You can continue with each of these, or press Skip to move to the next step.

  1. Overlays: If you want a complete visual theme, you can click to install one here.
  2. Tipping: If you haven’t set up tipping, you can do so here.
  3. Cloudbot: This section allows you to enable cloudbot quickly so it can start moderating your chat.
  4. Choose your plan: This is where you can choose Streamlabs Free or Streamlabs Ultra.
📝 Some changes, such as adding an overlay, may require you to restart OBS. If you’re prompted, do so to continue.

Step 3: Adding and Testing Streamlabs Widgets

The plugin allows you to add and test your widgets.

Adding A Widget

  1. Click on Streamlabs in the top menu bar of OBS Studio.
  2. Click Widgets.
  3. Find the Widget you want to add.
  4. Click + Add.
  5. Once you’ve clicked, you’ll see the “Widget Added” notification and the browser source will be on your canvas.

Adding interactive widgets to the OBS canvas layout.

⚠️ Important: Always drag your Streamlabs Widget source to the very top of your OBS Sources list. This ensures your alerts pop up in front of your gameplay footage instead of being hidden behind it!

Testing Widgets

  1. In the Widgets section, click Test Events.
  2. Hover over the platform that you want to test.
  3. Move your mouse to the alert that you want to test and click it.

Testing active stream alert notification parameters dynamically.

Editing Widgets

You can’t edit widgets through the plugin, but if you click on the ⚙️ Settings button it will launch a new browser window directly to where to edit your widget.

Step 4: Using Stream Labels

Stream Labels are text sources that update whenever an event happens, like a new follow.

Adding a Stream Label

  1. Click on Streamlabs in the top menu of OBS Studio.
  2. Click Stream Labels.
  3. Click Add a Stream Label.
  4. You can scroll or type out what stream label you want to add and click on it.
  5. If you want to add it to multiple scenes, click the Add to Scene dropdown and click the scene you want it in.

Configuring dynamic text filters via Stream Labels application interface.

Editing a Stream Label

  1. On the right hand side, click on the icon.
  2. Click Edit.
  3. You can add text and variables to adjust what the label says.
  4. Click Save Changes.

Deleting a Stream Label

You will need to manually delete the source from your scenes. If you want to remove it from your labels list, click on the icon and click Delete.

Step 5: Manage Your Stream with Custom Docks

The plugin adds custom side panels, called Docks, directly into your OBS interface so you can read chat and control your stream without opening a web browser.

  1. Look at the top menu bar in OBS Studio and click on Docks.
  2. Check the box next to Streamlabs Activity Feed to see your recent followers, subscribers, and tips in real time.
  3. Check the box next to Streamlabs Chat to embed your stream chat directly into your OBS layout.
  4. Drag and drop these new panels anywhere you want inside your OBS window to lock them into place.
📝 If you can’t find these listed under docks, go to Streamlabs > ⚙️ Settings > Find the “Danger Zone” and click Restore Plugin Docks.

More Resources

Want a deeper dive into the plugin? Read our official, deep-dive guide on maximizing the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS Studio.

Need Help?

Our team is happy to help at https://streamlabs.com/support.

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