Change Stream Title OBS: How to Edit Live Stream Names
To change the stream title in OBS Studio, you cannot do it directly within the application—OBS has no built-in field for a stream title. Instead, you must change the title on the platform you are streaming to (Twitch, YouTube, etc.) or use OBS’s browser source dock to edit it from within the OBS window.
Why OBS Doesn’t Have a Title Field
OBS Studio is a broadcasting and recording tool, not a platform dashboard. The software’s job is to capture video, mix audio, and push that data to a streaming service via RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol). The stream title, description, category, and tags are metadata stored on the platform’s server, not in the video feed. This separation means OBS never needs to know your title; it only needs the stream key. This design keeps OBS lightweight and platform-agnostic, allowing the same software to broadcast to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, or any custom RTMP endpoint without caring about each site’s unique metadata rules.
How to Change the Title on Twitch
On Twitch, the most common approach is to use the Creator Dashboard. While you are live, open dashboard.twitch.tv in a browser. Click Stream Manager in the left sidebar, then find the Quick Actions panel. Click the pencil icon next to your stream title, edit the text, and click Save. The change appears on your channel page within a few seconds. If you prefer not to leave OBS, you can add a dock: click Docks in the OBS menu bar, select Custom Browser Docks, name it “Twitch Dashboard,” and paste https://dashboard.twitch.tv/u/yourusername/stream-manager (replace yourusername). This opens a browser panel inside OBS where you can edit the title without alt-tabbing.
How to Change the Title on YouTube
For YouTube, the title is set in YouTube Studio before you go live, but you can change it mid-stream. Go to studio.youtube.com, click Create in the top-right, then Go live. In the left menu, select Stream (or Manage if you are already live). Click the pencil icon next to the stream name, edit it, and click Save. YouTube typically updates the title on your channel within 30 seconds. For an in-OBS solution, add a custom browser dock pointing to https://studio.youtube.com and navigate to the Go Live page. Note that if you are using a recurring stream key, the title you set in OBS settings (under Settings > Stream) is ignored by YouTube—the platform uses the title from its own dashboard.
Using OBS Browser Docks for Quick Editing
Custom Browser Docks turn any web page into a panel inside OBS. This is the closest thing to a native title editor. To set one up:
- In OBS, click Docks in the top menu.
- Select Custom Browser Docks.
- Click the + button.
- Give the dock a name (e.g., “Twitch Manager”).
- Paste the URL of your platform’s dashboard (Twitch Stream Manager or YouTube Studio Go Live page).
- Click Apply, then Close.
The dock appears as a movable panel within OBS. You can resize it and keep it visible while you stream. The main drawback is that some dashboards are not optimized for small panels, so you may need to zoom the browser dock (Ctrl + mouse wheel) or use the platform’s mobile site instead.
Third-Party Tools and Alternatives
Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS) includes a built-in title editor for Twitch and YouTube, which is a key reason some streamers prefer it over standard OBS Studio. If you want that feature without switching software, you can use a chatbot like StreamElements or Nightbot—both offer dashboard widgets that let you update the title from a web page. Another option is to use a REST API call from a script or tool like Streamer.bot, which can change your Twitch title based on hotkeys or automation. For custom RTMP destinations (like your own server), there is no standard title field; the platform controls what viewers see, so you must edit it on that platform’s interface.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A frequent error is editing the “Stream Title” field in OBS Settings > Stream. That field is only used by some services (like Restream.io) that read it from the RTMP parameters; it is not a universal title. Most platforms ignore it entirely. Another misconception is that changing the title requires stopping the stream—it does not. All major platforms allow live title edits. However, if you are streaming to a service that uses a fixed stream key and pulls metadata from OBS (rare), you may need to restart the stream for the change to take effect. Also, note that some platforms (like Twitch) have a rate limit on title changes—updating more than once every 60 seconds may trigger an error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my stream title from OBS without a browser?
No. OBS Studio has no native API for setting stream titles on Twitch, YouTube, or other platforms. You must use the platform’s website, a custom browser dock, or a third-party tool that connects to the platform’s API. The only exception is if you use a multi-streaming service like Restream, which lets you set titles in its own dashboard and pushes them to connected platforms.
Why does my title revert to the old one after I change it?
This usually happens when you have multiple devices or browser tabs open with the dashboard. The platform may sync from an older cached session. Close all other dashboard tabs, refresh the page, and try again. On Twitch, also check that you are editing the correct channel if you have multiple accounts. If you use a service like StreamElements, ensure its title override is not set to a fixed value.
Will changing the title affect my stream quality or connection?
No. The title is just text metadata stored on the platform’s server. Changing it sends a small API request that has no impact on your video bitrate, frame rate, or connection stability. Your stream continues uninterrupted during the edit.
Can I schedule a title change for later?
Not natively in OBS. On Twitch, you can schedule a title change by editing the stream info in the Creator Dashboard before you go live—the title you set there is used when you start. For mid-stream changes, you would need a bot or script that calls the platform’s API at a specific time. Streamer.bot and Mix It Up are two tools that can do this with a timer or command.
Does the title change apply to VODs and clips?
Yes, with a caveat. On Twitch, the title at the time of a clip or VOD segment is what appears in the clip’s metadata. If you change the title mid-stream, clips taken before the change will show the old title, and clips after will show the new one. The VOD itself keeps the title that was active when the stream ended, not the title at the start.
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