TL;DR: Whether you're looking to record short Nintendo Switch gameplay clips or stream and record longer gaming sessions with Streamlabs Desktop, there are a few ways to get started.
This guide covers your options for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch OLED, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch 2, including the equipment and software you'll need.
Jump Ahead:
- How to stream and record Nintendo Switch gameplay with a PC
- How to record Nintendo Switch gameplay directly on your console
Unlike XBOX and PlayStation, Nintendo Switch consoles don't have built-in live streaming functionality. However, you can record short gameplay clips directly on your console or use a capture card with software like Streamlabs Desktop to stream and record longer gaming sessions.
Below, we'll walk you through both methods and help you determine which setup works best for your Nintendo Switch.
How to stream and record Nintendo Switch gameplay with a PC and capture card
If you want to live stream Nintendo Switch gameplay to platforms like Twitch or YouTube, or record longer videos for social content , you'll need a capture card and live streaming software like Streamlabs Desktop. A capture card allows you to bring your Nintendo Switch gameplay into Streamlabs Desktop, where you can customize your content with overlays, alerts, webcams, and other elements. You can also stream and record simultaneously, making it easier to repurpose your gameplay for videos and other content.
This guide will help you connect your hardware and set up your software so you can start streaming in minutes.
Equipment you need before starting
Before setting up your stream, make sure you have these items ready:
- Nintendo Switch console and TV dock: Standard Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 and OLED models work. The Switch Lite cannot be used because it does not support video output through a dock.
- Capture card: A USB or PCIe capture card. Read our guide on What is a Capture Card? (And the Best Ones for Streaming) if you need help choosing one
- Cables: The HDMI cord that came with your Switch and any cables that came with your capture card.
- Streaming computer: A Windows PC or Mac running Streamlabs Desktop.
Step 1: Connect your hardware
- Only if you have a PCIe capture card: Turn off your computer, unplug the power cable, open your computer case, and install the capture card into an open PCIe slot on your motherboard. (If you are using an external USB capture card, skip to step 2.)
- Place your Nintendo Switch into its official TV dock and connect the power adapter.
- Plug one end of an HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT port on your console dock.
- Plug the other end of that HDMI cable into the HDMI IN port on your capture card (or PCIe card bracket on the back of your PC).
- Plug one end of a second HDMI cable into the HDMI OUT (Passthrough) port on your capture card.
- Plug the other end of that second HDMI cable into an HDMI IN port on your TV or gaming monitor.
- Only if you have a USB capture card: Plug the USB cable directly into a USB 3.0 port on your computer.
Step 2: Add your capture card to Streamlabs Desktop
- Open Streamlabs Desktop on your computer.
- Select your main gameplay scene in the Scenes panel in the bottom left corner.
- In the Sources panel, select the plus (+) icon to add a new source.
- Select Video Capture Device from the menu, and then select Add Source.
- Name your source (such as Nintendo Switch Game) and select Add Source.
- Select the Device dropdown menu, select your capture card from the list, and select Close.
Your game screen should now appear in the main preview window.
Step 3: Configure your game audio
Before configuring your capture card audio, check where Streamlabs Desktop sends monitored sound:
- Go to Settings (⚙️) > Audio > Advanced, and check what your Audio Monitoring Device is.
- Go to the Audio tab and check what your Desktop Audio Device is set to.
Once your monitoring device is verified, adjust your capture card audio settings:
- In Streamlabs Desktop, go to the Audio Mixer panel.
- Find your capture card audio bar and click the gear icon (⚙️) and select Properties
- Select the Audio Monitoring dropdown menu and choose what makes sense with your audio setup:
|
If your Audio Monitoring Device is… |
And your Desktop Audio Device is… |
Select this option |
Result |
|
Set to Default |
Enabled |
Monitor Only (mute output) |
Sends sound to your default audio device. Your Desktop Audio channel sends it to stream without echo. |
|
Has a Device Name |
Device Name Matches |
Monitor Only (mute output) |
Sends sound to your matching hardware device so Desktop Audio captures it without echo. |
|
Set to Default |
Disabled |
Monitor and Output |
Sends sound to your monitoring device and sends a direct audio feed to your stream. |
|
Has a Device Name |
Device Name Doesn’t Match |
Monitor and Output |
Sends sound to your monitoring device and sends a direct audio feed to your stream. |
4. Select Done
Step 4: Test your setup with a test recording
- Locate the bottom right controls in Streamlabs Desktop and select Record.
- Play your game for 10 to 15 seconds while speaking or letting game audio play.
- Select Record again to stop recording.
- Open your recording folder:
- Click Recordings at the top of Streamlabs Desktop
- Click on the Recording Path
- Play your recorded file and verify the following:
-
- Game Video: Your video preview plays smoothly without stuttering or black screens.
- Monitored Sound: Game audio is clear in your monitoring device without distortion.
- Stream Output: Game audio plays at a comfortable volume without duplicate audio or echo.
How to record Nintendo Switch gameplay directly on your console
Nintendo Switch consoles have a built-in recording feature that allows you to capture up to 30 seconds of recent gameplay in supported games without any additional equipment.
This method is ideal for saving quick gaming highlights or creating short-form content without a PC or capture card.
How to record Nintendo Switch gameplay using the Capture button
- Launch a compatible game on your Nintendo Switch.
- During gameplay, press and hold the Capture button on your controller to save up to 30 seconds of your most recent gameplay.
- Once the clip is saved, navigate to the Album from your console's HOME Menu to view your recording.
From there, you can trim supported clips or transfer them to another device for editing and sharing.
Note: The built-in recording feature only captures short clips, and video capture availability may vary by game. If you want to record longer gameplay sessions, see the below method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you stream Nintendo Switch gameplay without a capture card?
Nintendo Switch consoles don't have native live streaming functionality. To broadcast gameplay to platforms like Twitch or YouTube using Streamlabs Desktop, you'll need a compatible capture card and computer.
Can you stream Nintendo Switch Lite gameplay?
The Nintendo Switch Lite doesn't support TV output, meaning it cannot connect to a standard HDMI capture card for live streaming. However, you can still use its built-in Capture button to save short gameplay clips in supported games.
Can you stream Nintendo Switch gameplay to Twitch and YouTube?
Yes. By connecting a compatible Nintendo Switch to a computer with a capture card, you can use Streamlabs Desktop to broadcast to Twitch, YouTube, and other supported platforms. You can also multistream to multiple destinations simultaneously with Streamlabs Desktop.
Can you stream and record Nintendo Switch gameplay at the same time?
Yes. Streamlabs Desktop allows you to stream and record gameplay simultaneously when using a compatible capture card. This is particularly useful for creators who want to save their streams for editing or repurpose gameplay into videos for social.
Whether you're saving quick gameplay highlights directly on your Nintendo Switch or using Streamlabs Desktop to stream and record longer gaming sessions, there's a setup that can fit your content creation goals.
If you have any questions or comments, please let us know by contacting us.
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