How to use a stream overlay [Updated 2022]

Importing your stream overlay into Streamlabs Desktop

As mentioned, it’s as simple as importing a single file. Here’s a video demonstrating how to use a stream overlay with a Streamlabs Desktop setup file:

Importing your stream overlay into OBS Studio, xSplit, etc.

The reason these are grouped together is because beyond Streamlabs Desktop it’s largely the same process – dragging and dropping.

A slightly quicker way of doing this, rather than dragging in every single individual element is to drag a folder in (where supported). This will add the entire contents to your Sources, and (hopefully) keep them organised by folder. You’ll still be required to place these elements manually, but this at least gets them into play quicker.

Why is nothing showing in the latest donation & latest sub panel?

This is normally because there is nothing to show. If you’ve yet to have any subs, or donations, these will remain blank until there is info to display.

If you do however have subs and donations, and there’s still nothing appearing, try opening up the stream label properties (right click on the label, select Properties) and changing the Label Type, then changing it back. Sometimes the software needs a weird kick start like this.

If you’ve done all this, and are still seeing nothing where there should be info, it’s perhaps time to get in contact with Streamlabs.

Streamlabs Desktop (why didn’t my alerts get added with the setup file?)

Once again, this is more straightforward than with OBS Studio or xSplit, but not one-click like the rest of the overlay. Alerts are account-tied, so you’ll be required to add the alerts included in your download to your Streamlabs account in order to use them. Follow the steps below to do so.

1. Click the + icon above the Sources panel
2. Select “Alertbox”
3. A settings window will appear, with a number of tabs running down the left – select a common one like Follows
4. Now select the Media tab from the right of the window
5. Click Change Media under the Image/Video file section
6. Select your alert from the overlay folder
7. Repeat step 3 onwards for each alert type you want!

I’ve done the above, but it’s not adding/updating alerts

Some customers, especially those using Streamlabs Desktop on Mac, have reported issues with adding alerts through Streamlabs Desktop. There’s still hope, though, as you can get them to appear in the app, but you’ll need to bypass it for now.

Simply close Streamlabs Desktop, then head to the Streamlabs Dashboard (you’ll need to be using the same credentials for both the app and the website). Upload your alerts via the interface on the website, and once completed, re-open your Streamlabs Desktop app. Hopefully your app will recognise your uploads via the website, and sync them across to Streamlabs Desktop, where they’ll be selectable in the Alertbox widget.

This isn’t a guaranteed fix, but a number of people have said this solves their issues.

Adding stream alerts to OBS Studio, xSplit, etc.

These are grouped together again as they’re ultimately similar steps. Whatever alerts service you choose, be it Streamlabs, or Stream Elements, will provide you with a URL for you to use. This acts as like a stage, to show all alerts through.

You add this URL to OBS Studio by clicking the + icon at the bottom of the Sources panel and selecting Browser. You then post the link provided into the URL box.

Still unsure of how to use a stream overlay? Contact Twitch Overlay

Perhaps you’ve got an issue on how to use a stream overlay you’re not seeing answered above, get in contact with the site.