Short answer
Before you start
- A verified YouTube channel with no live restriction in the past 90 days
- YouTube Studio access
- Webcam for webcam mode or OBS for encoder mode
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Step by step
- 01
Check live eligibility
YouTube live streaming requirements, reviewed September 6, 2026 ↗In YouTube Studio open Settings, Channel, and Feature eligibility. YouTube currently requires channel verification and no live restriction in the past 90 days. First-time activation can take up to 24 hours.
What you should see: Live access is enabled or YouTube tells you which verification step remains.
Feature eligibility shows the channel's active level and any remaining verification. YouTube · 1:16 ↗ - 02
Open the Go Live flow
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 2:01 ↗Choose Create and Go live. YouTube offers webcam, mobile, encoder, and console paths. The page does not start the broadcast merely because you opened the flow.
What you should see: The Live Control Room or webcam setup opens without a live viewer event.
- 03
Pick webcam or encoder
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 2:32 ↗Use webcam for a quick camera session. Use OBS as an encoder when you need game capture, scenes, or more than one audio source.
What you should see: The chosen path shows its own preview and connection controls.
- 04
Write the event details
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 3:02 ↗Add a plain title and description, choose a category, add a thumbnail, and select the correct playlist. Set age, sponsorship, and visibility options that match the stream.
What you should see: The event page tells a viewer what will happen and when.
Live details include category, thumbnail, playlist, and audience settings. YouTube · 3:51 ↗ - 05
Set chat moderation
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 4:33 ↗Review live chat settings, slow mode, and delay. Choose who can see the event and whether the chat needs extra moderation before you share the link.
What you should see: The chat behaves the way you expect during a test.
- 06
Connect OBS with a stream key
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 7:36 ↗In Live Control Room choose the encoder path and copy the stream key into OBS. Treat the key as private. If it leaks, reset it in YouTube rather than posting it in a screenshot.
What you should see: OBS connects to the YouTube preview without exposing the key.
The OBS scene is checked before its signal is sent to the YouTube event. YouTube · 8:21 ↗ - 07
Run the preview test
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 5:34 ↗Check camera framing, layout, microphone, game audio, and stream health. YouTube recommends testing audio and movement similar to the live event.
What you should see: The preview shows the intended scene and readable audio without clipping.
- 08
Schedule when viewers need notice
Nicole Rojas · YouTube · 8:36 ↗Create a scheduled event with the date and time. Remember that a scheduled event does not start the encoder by itself. Start OBS and confirm the event receives the signal.
What you should see: The event page is public at the intended visibility and the encoder is ready at start time.
If something does not work
- Live access is unavailable
- Verify the channel and check for a recent live restriction. YouTube says first-time activation may take up to 24 hours.
- OBS connects but the preview is black
- Check the selected service, stream key, scene visibility, and encoder output. Generate a new key if the old one was exposed.
- The scheduled event does not start
- Start OBS, select the intended scene, and confirm YouTube receives the signal before clicking the final live control.
Test before you go live
- Channel is verified and live eligibility is active
- Webcam or encoder path is selected
- Title, category, visibility, and moderation are set
- OBS preview shows picture and audio
- Stream key is private
- Scheduled event has a start plan
Cómo hacer directos en YouTube desde cero
Watch the full tutorial ↗Common questions
How long does first-time live activation take?
YouTube says enabling live streaming for the first time can take up to 24 hours.
Should I use webcam or OBS?
Webcam suits a simple camera stream. OBS suits gameplay, scenes, and external audio.
Does scheduling start OBS?
No. The scheduled event waits for the encoder or webcam session to send its signal.
What does YouTube require before live streaming?
YouTube currently requires channel verification and no live streaming restriction in the past 90 days. It also requires the minimum age rule stated on its current help page.
