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Custom RTMP means manually telling a streaming encoder where to send a live feed by entering the destination’s ingest server URL and stream key. It is not a separate streaming protocol. In OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose the custom streaming server option, and enter the URL and key supplied by the platform or event host. Test the connection before going live, and treat the key like a password.
What custom RTMP means
RTMP is a protocol used to send a live stream from an encoder to a receiving service. “Custom RTMP” is the usual name for the manual destination setup: instead of selecting a named service preset in OBS or another encoder, you enter the destination’s connection details yourself.
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- Server URL or ingest URL: the address of the service’s receiving endpoint.
- Stream key: a destination-issued credential or identifier that associates and authorizes the incoming stream.
The receiving service supplies both values. A URL or key from another platform, account, or event may not work. Use the values shown for the specific destination and broadcast you are setting up.
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Open the destination’s live control room, event setup, or encoder-connection page, then create or select the broadcast and copy the current ingest URL and key. The exact labels and whether a key is persistent or event-specific depend on the service. Do not paste a sample URL from a guide into your encoder and assume it is your endpoint.
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Keep the key private. Anyone who obtains a valid key may be able to send a stream to the associated destination. Do not include it in screenshots, recordings, public posts, or support requests. If it is exposed, treat it as compromised and replace or regenerate it using the destination’s account controls; the reset process varies by service.
How to add a custom RTMP server in OBS
- Prepare the destination. In its live control room or event setup, create or select the broadcast. Copy the current server URL and stream key for that event.
- Open OBS’s stream settings. Go to Settings → Stream.
- Choose manual configuration. Set the service to the custom streaming server option. OBS’s official guide describes choosing a listed service or setting a custom streaming server.
- Enter the connection details. Put the destination’s ingest URL in the server field and its key in the stream-key field. Check for extra spaces or omitted characters when copying.
- Check the destination’s technical requirements. Confirm the required protocol, encoder, output, and network settings against that service’s current specifications. Do not assume settings from another platform apply.
- Run a low-risk test. If the destination supports it, use a private, unlisted, or otherwise non-public test. Start the encoder and confirm that the destination receives both audio and video before the real broadcast.
- Go live only after the destination is ready. Check its preview or status indicator as well as OBS. The encoder showing an active connection does not by itself confirm that the event is receiving usable audio and video.
Other encoders may use different field names or menus, but the mapping is the same: the destination URL goes in the server or ingest-address field, and the destination key goes in the stream-key field.
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Should you use RTMP or RTMPS?
Use the protocol specified by the receiving service. RTMPS carries RTMP over TLS/SSL, encrypting the transport between encoder and ingest endpoint. Where the service and encoder both support it, prefer RTMPS; YouTube recommends it. A destination may require a particular hostname, port, or SSL configuration, so do not simply change an RTMP address to RTMPS by editing its prefix.
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HLS and SRT are separate ingestion protocols, not alternative names for RTMP. YouTube documents HLS ingestion for supported cases, including some codec situations that RTMP may not accept. Vimeo supports RTMP, RTMPS, and SRT, with compatibility and feature constraints that differ by protocol. Choose only a protocol the destination and encoder support.
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Why OBS may not connect to a custom RTMP server
| Symptom | What to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Connection rejected or no incoming stream | The event is ready to receive; URL and key belong to the correct event and account; encoder protocol matches the destination. | Copy the current URL and key again, verify the expected endpoint and port, and check the destination’s status. For RTMPS, confirm the hostname, port, and SSL configuration required by that service. |
| Video arrives but audio does not | OBS has the intended audio source selected and the output is reaching the destination. | Check OBS’s audio source and output settings, then inspect the destination preview or status to confirm whether audio is arriving. Test audio and video together before the event. |
| The key was shown in a screenshot or recording | Assume the credential is exposed. | Replace or regenerate it through the destination’s account controls. Avoid sharing the replacement publicly. |
| Stream is unstable on a poor connection | Network conditions and whether the destination and encoder support an alternative protocol. | RTMP can struggle under poor network conditions. A supported option such as SRT may fit some workflows, but confirm compatibility and feature limits first; there is no universal bitrate or latency result. |
When troubleshooting, check both ends: the encoder log can show whether OBS is attempting to connect, while the destination’s event page shows whether it is receiving the feed. If the endpoint and credentials look correct but the connection still fails, consult the destination’s current ingest requirements rather than guessing at a new port or URL.
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