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First identify which Stream Labels setup you use: the built-in Stream Label source in Streamlabs Desktop, or the separate Stream Labels app that writes text files for OBS and other streaming software. Their fixes differ. For Streamlabs Desktop, recreate the affected source and check that an Alert Box source is present. For the separate app, check its output folder, file paths, and whether the app is running.
Identify which Stream Labels setup is failing
Streamlabs Desktop has built-in Stream Labels; its setup does not require the separate app. The standalone Stream Labels app instead creates text files that another streaming program reads. Streamlabs describes the Desktop integration as built in, with no need to download or run an external app (Streamlabs Support).
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| What you use | How the label reaches your scene | Start troubleshooting here |
|---|---|---|
| Streamlabs Desktop built-in source | A Stream Label source added in Streamlabs Desktop | Check for an Alert Box source, then recreate the label source |
| Standalone Stream Labels app | The app writes text files; a text source in OBS or another program reads them | Check the selected output directory, the text-source file path, and that the app is running |
If you are unsure, inspect your scene’s source list. A Stream Label source points to the built-in workflow. A text source configured with a file path points to the standalone workflow.
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Fix Streamlabs Desktop built-in labels
- Check for an Alert Box source. Streamlabs says an Alert Box widget source must also be present for built-in Stream Labels to work. If you do not want alerts displayed, you can hide the Alert Box source rather than remove it.
- Delete and recreate the affected label. In the Sources section, remove the affected Stream Label source, add a new source, choose Stream Label, and select the relevant file from the dropdown. Allow time for the source to refresh.
- Refresh the application session if needed. If the new source still does not work, log out of Streamlabs Desktop, restart the application, and log back in. If necessary, try running Streamlabs Desktop as administrator.
These are the documented troubleshooting steps; the available guidance does not establish one cause for every built-in label failure (Streamlabs Support troubleshooting guide).
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Fix the separate Stream Labels app and its text files
- Remove the broken text sources and old output folders. Remove the affected label text sources from your streaming software. Then remove the old Stream Labels output folder and the
%appdata%Roamingstreamlabelsfolder. - Install the latest Stream Labels app and sign in. Download the latest version from Streamlabs, sign in, and choose an output directory.
- Recreate your text sources using that directory. In OBS or your other streaming software, add text sources that point to the corresponding files in the directory you selected in Stream Labels. A source aimed at the old folder will not read files created in the new one.
- Keep the app open when using OBS without the Streamlabs plugin. In that setup, the standalone app must remain running for the files to update in real time. Verify that each OBS text source reads the intended file in the selected output folder.
- Wait for the update interval. Streamlabs says standalone text files update about once every 60 seconds. That is the stated interval, not a guarantee for every configuration. Do not edit the generated files by hand: the app overwrites them. Check token capitalization as well, because tokens are case-sensitive (Streamlabs Support, guide last updated April 25, 2025).
- Check security software if files are missing or stale. Antivirus interference is one possible cause, not a diagnosis. If you find that security software is blocking Stream Labels, add an exception for the app. The guidance does not identify a specific product or setting that will apply to everyone.
Troubleshoot by symptom
The built-in label source is stale in Streamlabs Desktop
- Confirm that the scene has an Alert Box source; hide it if you do not want it shown.
- Delete and recreate the affected Stream Label source, choosing the correct file from its dropdown.
- If that does not help, log out, restart Streamlabs Desktop, and log in again. Try running it as administrator if needed.
The standalone app will not launch or files are absent
- Recreate the output folder and sign in to the latest Stream Labels app, then rebuild text sources that point to the new folder.
- If files still are not created, check whether antivirus software is interfering; add an exception only if it is blocking the app.
Text files exist but do not show current information
- Allow about 60 seconds for the standalone files to update.
- Confirm that each text source reads the intended file in the selected output directory.
- Keep the standalone app running when OBS does not use the Streamlabs plugin.
- Do not manually change generated files, and check case-sensitive tokens for capitalization errors.
When the documented fixes do not work
There is no single confirmed cause for every launch or update failure. If the steps for your setup do not resolve the issue, contact Streamlabs Support. Include whether you use Streamlabs Desktop or the standalone app, which streaming software reads the labels, whether the app launches, and whether the expected files exist. For a file-based setup, also note the selected output directory and the path configured in the text source.
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