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How to Add an Overlay to Your Livestream

Add static graphics, browser-based alerts or chat, and Streamlabs overlays to a livestream with OBS Studio, with steps for placement, sizing, and troubleshooting.
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In OBS Studio, add an overlay to the scene as a source: use Image for a static graphic, or Browser for a provider-hosted alert, chat box, or other web overlay. Put that source above the video it should cover, then position and size it in the preview. You do not need a plugin to add browser-based alerts.

Choose the right kind of overlay

What you want to show OBS source or route What to prepare
A frame, logo, or other still graphic Image source An image file; use transparency in the graphic if the video should remain visible through empty areas.
Alerts, chat, or another provider-hosted widget Browser source The overlay, widget, or alert URL from the provider, plus suitable width and height.
A ready-made Streamlabs scene or overlay package Streamlabs Desktop library or import; optionally transfer a scene collection to OBS A library selection, an existing .overlay file, or a Streamlabs scene collection.

OBS describes its Image source as adding an image or slideshow to a scene and its Browser source as adding a web page. The source-based approach is usually the simplest place to start; exact appearance and menu details can depend on your software version and canvas.

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Add a static image in OBS Studio

  1. Open OBS and select the scene where the graphic should appear.
  2. In the Sources dock, select +, choose Image, and create a new source or select an existing one. Choose the image file when prompted.
  3. In the Sources list, place the image above the gameplay, camera, or other footage it should sit over. Sources higher in the list render above sources below them, so a misplaced image can cover the video.
  4. Select the image in the preview. Drag it to position it and use its bounding-box handles to resize it. For exact dimensions or placement, right-click the source and use Edit Transform. Crop it if only part of the image should be visible.
  5. Review the scene at its intended output size. Check that the graphic does not hide important action, faces, captions, or other on-screen information.

Add alerts, chat, or a web overlay in OBS

  1. Set up the alert or widget with its provider and copy the URL it supplies. Depending on the service, this may be labelled Overlay URL, Widget URL, or Alert URL.
  2. In OBS, select the target scene, choose + in the Sources dock, and add a Browser source.
  3. Paste the provider’s URL into the Browser source’s URL field. Set its width and height to suit the widget and your scene; use the provider’s recommended dimensions if it supplies them.
  4. Place the Browser source above the content it should cover, then position and size it in the preview. Check that the alert or chat appears where expected before streaming.

OBS Project’s official Stream Layout Tutorial 2: Alerts & Chat Box says plugins are not required to use alerts. A Browser source is therefore enough for many provider-hosted widgets. Treat an account-linked widget URL as private if its provider says it grants access to your widget.

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Use Streamlabs overlays with Streamlabs Desktop or OBS

Install an overlay from the Streamlabs library

In Streamlabs Desktop, browse or search the overlay library, select an overlay and its components, and install it. Streamlabs says the overlay appears in the scene collection. Adjust the resulting scenes and elements to fit your layout.

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Import a .overlay file

In Streamlabs Desktop, open Settings → Scene Collections → Import Overlay File, choose the .overlay file, and then review and adjust the imported scenes.

Build a scene from image elements

You can also create separate scenes, such as Starting Soon, Live, or BRB, and add each graphic as an image through the Sources + button. This keeps each scene’s layout independent.

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Transfer Streamlabs scenes into OBS

Streamlabs documents importing a Streamlabs scene collection into OBS as a way to transfer an overlay without using its OBS plugin. If you prefer the plugin, Streamlabs’ current plugin guide says it requires OBS Studio 28.0.0 or later and is currently available on Windows; it directs Mac users to Streamlabs Desktop for Mac. Check that guide for current compatibility before installing. Streamlabs describes the plugin as free to download and use, while saying some premium animated overlays and other features require Streamlabs Ultra; it also lists hundreds of free overlays. These are Streamlabs’ own product statements.

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Fix common overlay problems

  • The overlay is hidden: In the Sources list, move it above the footage or other source that is covering it.
  • The graphic is too large, small, or misplaced: Select it in the preview and adjust its bounding box; use Edit Transform for precise sizing and position, or crop it if needed.
  • The browser overlay is blank or missing: Confirm the URL was copied completely, the Browser source has suitable dimensions, and the provider’s widget is configured. Recheck the provider’s URL if you have changed the widget setup.
  • The overlay hides important content: Move or resize it in the preview and inspect the complete scene before going live.
  • The Streamlabs plugin will not install or work: Check the current OS and OBS version requirements in Streamlabs’ plugin guide. If the plugin route is incompatible, use Streamlabs Desktop or transfer a scene collection to OBS instead.
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Keep an overlay on a 24/7 YouTube stream

The instructions above add an overlay to an OBS or Streamlabs scene. If your goal is instead to keep prerecorded video running continuously on a YouTube channel, that is a separate workflow from adding a camera or gameplay overlay. StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos on YouTube: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It does not broadcast a camera feed or stream to other platforms.

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Or let it run in the cloud

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