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Enable Dual Output in Streamlabs Desktop under Settings > Video, or use the toggle at the top of the Editor’s Sources panel. Then set up the horizontal and vertical canvases separately, check both previews, and choose which orientation or orientations to send when you click Go Live.
What Dual Output does
Dual Output lets you create separate horizontal and vertical layouts in one Streamlabs Desktop session. It does not automatically make one layout fit both shapes: a source that looks right on a horizontal canvas may be cropped, too small, or poorly placed on the vertical one. Review and adjust each canvas before streaming.
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Enable Dual Output and prepare both layouts
- Open the setting: In Streamlabs Desktop, go to Settings > Video and enable Dual Output. Alternatively, use the Dual Output toggle at the top of the Editor’s Sources panel. Streamlabs’ free multistreaming guide describes the feature and its toggle.
- Configure the horizontal output: In the Video settings, set up the horizontal canvas and output for your intended stream. Check that gameplay, camera, text, alerts, and other important sources are visible and readable.
- Configure the vertical output: Set up the vertical canvas separately. For TikTok-oriented vertical settings, Streamlabs suggests 1080×1920 at 30 FPS; that is a suggestion for TikTok, not a universal requirement for every destination. Streamlabs’ TikTok setup guide covers that use case.
- Inspect both canvases: Switch between the previews. Move or resize sources that need different positioning, and hide sources on a particular canvas when they do not belong in that layout. Make sure essential information remains visible in each orientation.
Choose where each orientation goes
Click Go Live, choose your destination, and select the orientation or orientations to send. For YouTube, Streamlabs’ guide says to select Both to send horizontal and vertical output to YouTube. Confirm the destination and orientation selections in the live flow rather than assuming the software will send both automatically.
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| Destination or setup | What to expect | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube horizontal and vertical | Streamlabs says sending both orientations to YouTube is free. | Some controls apply only to the horizontal version: multistream chat is shown in one place, Streamlabs Desktop generates shareable links only for horizontal streams, and mid-stream title or category edits are available only for horizontal output. Streamlabs also cautions that a vertical stream sent through third-party software may not always be detected for the YouTube Shorts feed, although mobile viewers can still watch it. See Streamlabs’ YouTube guide. |
| One horizontal and one vertical destination | Streamlabs’ free multistreaming guide says users can send one output of each orientation for free. | Three or more platforms, or multiple platforms using the same orientation, require Streamlabs Ultra according to that guide. Plan terms can change, so check Streamlabs’ current offer before relying on a limit. Streamlabs free multistreaming guide. |
| Twitch Dual Format | This is Twitch’s distinct multi-format setup, not simply the YouTube destination choice. Streamlabs says it requires Enhanced Broadcasting. | Streamlabs’ Twitch guide, updated July 8, 2026, marks the feature as still in testing. Consult the current guide, test before a real broadcast, and watch system performance. Twitch vertical VODs are reported to expire after 7 days, while the horizontal version remains for the rest of its retention period. Twitch Dual Format setup. |
Twitch Dual Format: check its specific requirements
The following figures are requirements listed by Streamlabs for Twitch Dual Format in its guide updated July 8, 2026. They are not general requirements for enabling Dual Output or sending both orientations to YouTube.
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Capture Card, 4K HDMI Video Capture Card, Game Capture Card, 1080P 60FPS Video Capture Device, HDMI to USB 3.0 Capture Card for Streaming, Work with Camera/Xbox/PS4/PS5/PC/OBS
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- 【Compatible with Multiple Systems】suitable for Windows and Mac OS. High speed USB 3.0 technology and superior low latency technology makes it easier for you to transmit live streaming to Twitch, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, OBS, Potplayer and VLC.
- 【HDMI LOOP-OUT】Based on the high-speed USB 3.0 technology, it can capture one single channel HD HDMI video signal. There is no delay when you are playing game live.
- 【Support Mic-in for Commentary】Rybozen capture card has microphone input and you can use it to add external commentary when playing a game. Please note: it only accepts 3.5mm TRS standard microphone headset.
- For 1080p, Streamlabs lists 13.5 Mbps upstream.
- For 1440p/2K, available only to select streamers, it lists 22.5 Mbps or greater.
- It lists up to four video tracks at 1080p or lower, and up to five at 1440p/2K.
- The vertical canvas is 1080×1920 (9:16).
Streamlabs’ Twitch setup guide also lists Windows 10/11 and minimum GPU families. Because the feature is described as still being tested and these requirements are Twitch-specific, check the current guide for the exact supported hardware and software before configuring Twitch Dual Format: Streamlabs’ Twitch requirements and setup.
Timing and optional output editing
If you want to use Live Output Editing, enable it before going live. To manage horizontal and vertical destinations in the same session, enable Dual Output before starting; starting without Dual Output limits that session to horizontal orientation. Streamlabs’ Live Output Editing guide explains the interaction.
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Capture Card 4K HDMI Video Streaming to USB 3.0 1080P 60FPS Capture Device
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Troubleshooting
- You cannot find the toggle: Check Settings > Video, then look at the top of the Editor’s Sources panel for the alternate toggle.
- The vertical preview cuts off or hides content: Reposition or resize the sources in the vertical canvas. Do not assume the horizontal layout will translate cleanly.
- Only one orientation is available after going live: If you need both destinations managed in the session, enable Dual Output before starting; a session started without it is limited to horizontal orientation.
- YouTube controls or links appear to be missing: Streamlabs documents some functions—including its shareable-link generation and mid-stream title or category edits—as horizontal-only. Its multistream chat appears in one place.
- The vertical YouTube stream is not appearing in Shorts: Streamlabs cautions that third-party software’s vertical stream may not always be detected for the Shorts feed. Mobile viewers may still be able to watch the vertical stream.
- Twitch performance suffers or output is unstable: Multi-format encoding adds system load. For Twitch Dual Format, Streamlabs recommends testing and monitoring performance; use its current Twitch-specific requirements rather than treating them as universal Dual Output settings.
Or let it run in the cloud
Dual Output is for live production from Streamlabs Desktop. If your goal is instead to keep a prerecorded YouTube stream running continuously, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option: upload a recording or make a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded video from the cloud, so no computer or home connection has to stay on. It supports the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Start your free StreamNeo day.
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Elgato 4K S Capture Card for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2
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- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
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