How to Stream on TikTok LIVE with Streamlabs (2026)

Streamlabs can send one horizontal stream and one vertical stream at the same time, which makes it a useful option for TikTok LIVE creators who also want to stream or record in landscape. This guide starts from a blank Streamlabs scene collection and covers access, Dual Output, audio, camera and display sources, TikFinity alerts, graphics, multistreaming and the final go-live checks.

https://youtu.be/EcWAHB26DHI

Most of this setup is free. Streamlabs currently lets you use Dual Output for one destination per canvas without a subscription. Streamlabs Ultra is optional if you need wider multistreaming and the rest of its premium bundle. My Streamlabs Ultra affiliate link gives you a free seven-day trial, but you do not need Ultra for the core TikTok setup below.

Choose how you will connect Streamlabs to TikTok LIVE

You need a supported route from Streamlabs to TikTok before the final Go Live step. There are three practical options.

Option 1: Use a TikTok LIVE stream key

A stream key is the most flexible option because it lets you use Streamlabs, OBS, Meld or another RTMP-compatible program. TikTok creator networks, also known as LIVE agencies, can provide eligible creators with stream-key access. Networks are country-specific and their requirements and support vary.

Use my free TikTok LIVE creator-network list to find the options available in your country. The page also explains how agencies work, what they can offer and the streaming commitments they may expect.

TikTok normally generates a fresh server URL and stream key for each LIVE. Treat the key like a password and never show it on stream.

Option 2: Apply for direct Streamlabs access

You can also apply for TikTok LIVE access through Streamlabs. If approved, you can connect TikTok directly to your Streamlabs account and choose it from the Go Live window.

This route is simpler, but it is tied to Streamlabs. A stream key remains the more flexible choice if you may switch software later.

Option 3: Send Streamlabs into LIVE Studio

The fallback is Streamlabs Virtual Camera. It sends the Streamlabs canvas into TikTok LIVE Studio as a camera source.

This is the most complicated route and the virtual camera failed to display correctly during the recorded demonstration. If the same thing happens in your current Streamlabs or LIVE Studio build, use the stream-key or direct Streamlabs method instead rather than trying to force a broken preview.

Connect your streaming accounts

Open the Streamlabs Dashboard, sign in with your Streamlabs ID, then select your profile picture, Account Settings and Platforms. Link each service you may want to use, such as TikTok or YouTube.

You do not necessarily need to link TikTok here when using a custom stream key or the virtual-camera route. Those are configured later.

Download Streamlabs Desktop from the same account and sign in with the same Streamlabs ID. In Streamlabs, open Settings and check the Stream page if the wrong account or destinations appear.

Enable Dual Output

Open Settings, select Video and enable Dual Output. Streamlabs will show separate Horizontal and Vertical settings.

A common 1080p setup is:

• Horizontal: 1920 �- 1080

• Vertical: 1080 �- 1920

• 60 FPS when your computer and connection can handle it

• 30 FPS or 720p when you experience dropped frames or high encoder load

Dual Output does not force TikTok to be vertical. TikTok accepts landscape streams too. You decide which canvas goes to each destination when you open the Go Live window.

Streamlabs currently allows one horizontal and one vertical destination for free. Streamlabs explains the current Dual Output and multistream limits. Upgrade only when you genuinely need more destinations or the other Ultra features.

Set your audio and output settings

While Settings is open, select Audio. Set Desktop Audio Device 1 to the headset, speakers or output device your viewers should hear. Set Mic/Auxiliary Device 1 to the microphone you will actually use.

Watch the mixer while speaking and playing computer audio. Both meters should move before you continue.

For a straightforward 1080p stream, keep Output Mode on Simple and use 6,000 Kbps as a sensible starting bitrate. Some platforms and connections can support more, but do not copy a higher number blindly. Reduce resolution, frame rate or bitrate if your upload speed or hardware cannot keep the stream stable.

To save recent moments without recording the entire session, enable Replay Buffer in Output settings. Choose a recording folder, set the duration you want to retain, then assign a Replay Buffer hotkey under Settings > Hotkeys.

Create a clean scene collection

Open Manage Scene Collections and create a new collection with a clear name, such as `2026 live streaming`. This keeps the new setup separate from scenes you already use.

Create two scenes:

1. Full camera

2. Camera and computer display or Camera and game

A scene is a layout. Sources are the camera, screen, alerts, graphics and other items shown inside that layout.

Add and frame your camera

Open the Full camera scene, select Add Source, then add a Video Capture Device. Give it a useful name and choose the correct camera or capture card.

Set Resolution/FPS Type to Custom when you need to choose the camera's real output. Use 1920 �- 1080 and 60 FPS only if the camera supports it and the result remains stable.

Edit the camera independently on both canvases:

• Drag a corner to resize.

• Hold Alt while dragging a corner to crop.

• Right-click the source and use Transform for exact centring or resets.

• Use the arrow keys for small position changes.

• Lock the source when its position is finished.

Locking sources matters. It prevents a stray click from wrecking the layout while you are live.

Add your computer display or game

Open the Camera and computer display scene and add a Display Capture to show a complete monitor. Use Window Capture or Game Capture when you only want one application or game to appear.

For a simple vertical gaming layout, place the camera in roughly the top third and the game or display in the lower two thirds. Treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. Crop and resize around the actual game UI.

Add the existing camera source to this scene instead of creating it again. Frame it separately on horizontal and vertical canvases, then lock both layouts.

Source order also matters: an item higher in the Sources list appears in front of items below it. If the display suddenly covers the camera, move the camera above the display.

Streamlabs lets you hide a source from either canvas. Hover over the source and use the horizontal or vertical visibility control when an alert, graphic or camera should appear on only one output.

Improve microphone clarity

In the Audio Mixer, open the microphone settings, select Filters, then Edit Filters. Add Noise Suppression and use RNNoise as the safe general option.

This can reduce steady background noise such as computer fans. It is not a substitute for correct microphone placement, sensible gain and a quick test recording.

Add TikFinity follower and gift alerts

The basic TikFinity alert setup used here is free. My TikFinity affiliate link supports my work and gives new users a discount if they later upgrade.

Open TikFinity, create or sign in to an account, enter your TikTok username and use Login to TikTok so the accounts are connected. The normal Connect button may not activate while you are offline, which is expected.

Open Actions and enable or import the basic events you need, such as:

• follows

• gifts worth one coin or more

• Super Fan or subscription events

• likes, with a sensible threshold

Copy the Screen 1 browser-source URL. In Streamlabs, add a Browser Source, name it `TikFinity Alerts`, paste the URL and start around 600 �- 250 pixels. Resize it to suit the alert design.

Position the alert where TikTok's buttons and chat will not cover it. Reuse the same browser source in your other scene, hide it from any canvas that does not need it, then lock it.

Back in TikFinity, raise the Screen 1 maximum queue length when several alerts may arrive together. Use Simulate to test at least a follow and a gift or subscription. Confirm the animation, text, sound, size and position on every canvas where the alert should appear.

For custom actions, goals, channel points, chat overlays and more advanced alert design, use the separate full TikFinity tutorial rather than cramming everything into this setup.

Add alerts for other platforms

When you are also streaming to YouTube, Twitch, Kick or another supported service, add Streamlabs' Alert Box source. Choose the events you want, add it to each relevant scene and test it once.

You can keep TikFinity alerts on the TikTok canvas and Streamlabs alerts on the horizontal canvas by using the per-canvas visibility controls.

Add overlays and webcam borders

Streamlabs includes free overlays, while Ultra unlocks more of its premium library. Open Overlays, search the scene library and check whether a design is free before installing it.

You can also commission custom graphics through my Fiverr overlay affiliate link. Tell the designer you need both 16:9 and 9:16 assets. Otherwise they may assume you only want landscape graphics.

For your own files:

• Use Image for a still webcam border or background.

• Use Media Source for an animated video file.

• Create a separate scene for a Starting Soon screen.

• Resize, align and lock every added asset on both canvases.

Add a TikTok stream key to Streamlabs

After your creator network enables TikTok LIVE Producer, open it and prepare the LIVE details. Copy the server URL and stream key.

In Streamlabs, add a Custom Destination and give it a clear name such as `TikTok stream key`. Paste the server URL and key into the correct fields, then save.

Generate and replace the TikTok key before each LIVE when TikTok gives you a new one. Do not reuse an expired key or reveal it in screenshots.

Use Streamlabs Virtual Camera with LIVE Studio

In Streamlabs Settings, open Virtual Webcam, install it when required, then start the virtual webcam.

Open TikTok LIVE Studio, create or clear a scene, add a Camera source and select Streamlabs Desktop Virtual Webcam. The source should show the Streamlabs canvas. Resize it to fill the LIVE Studio scene and confirm that audio is handled separately.

The virtual camera was not working correctly during this video's test. If the preview remains black or missing after restarting both applications, use direct Streamlabs access or a stream key and revisit the virtual-camera route after an update.

Run the final checks and go live

Before opening the Go Live window:

• Play computer audio and speak into the microphone.

• Check the horizontal and vertical resolutions and frame rates.

• Switch through every scene.

• Confirm the camera and display crops.

• Simulate the alerts.

• Check source visibility and locks.

• Close or hide any private windows.

• Confirm the correct destinations are connected.

Select Go Live in Streamlabs, then choose the destination and canvas for each platform. A common setup is TikTok on the vertical canvas and YouTube or a local recording on the horizontal canvas, but TikTok can also receive landscape.

Add the correct title and category for each destination. Review the preview before confirming. Once live, check that each platform received the intended canvas and monitor chat in Streamlabs, TikFinity, the platform app or your phone.

If TikTok access is the part blocking you, use the stream-key guide next.