How to Start Streaming on Twitch? [Beginner-Friendly Guide]

We can’t deny it.

Twitch is a phenomenon.

It has become the go-to place for gaming enthusiasts who want to showcase their talent. In fact, in 2021, the platform had about 9 million content creators. Want a piece of the pie?

We’re here to teach you how to start streaming on Twitch.

How To Start Streaming on Twitch

We know, we know. It all seems a bit intimidating. But with a good setup and little preparation, you’ll find the entire process manageable. 

Create a Twitch Account

The first thing you need to know is how to start a Twitch channel.

You can’t broadcast your gameplay without registering on the website. Even viewers can’t access the best features before signing up.

So, the first step is to create an account. This is also the perfect time to check the community guidelines and make sure you’re fine with them.

Also, before you start streaming on Twitch, you have to enable two-factor authentication.

Prepare Your PC or Console

Getting through step one is easy, but the next one, not so much.

You can broadcast on Twitch from any device - PC, console, even on a good gaming phone. No matter how you choose to do it, you have to make sure your machine is up to the task.

Let’s talk about streaming from your computer for now.

So, how to go live on Twitch on PC?

First, we have to mention that your streaming power depends on the hardware your machine is packing.

That’s because the computer is tasked with running the game, capturing gameplay, and uploading it, all at the same time.

Streaming software is generally CPU-intensive, but it depends a great deal on the game or video source. When playing something with hi-res or high-detail, you’ll need a strong processor and a lot of RAM.

So, if you were wondering how to set up a Twitch streaming studio in your home, this is how you start.

You can still go live even if your machine isn’t as powerful. But that will impact the quality of your stream.

Twitch does offer some handy info when it comes to PC specs.

The platform suggests that you have at least Intel Core i5-4670 or AMD equivalent. It also recommends a minimum of 8GB RAM and at least a DirectX 10-compatible graphics card.

Remember that this is what the website recommends as a base requirement. If you want better performance, you’ll need a more powerful PC.

Get Your Camera and Mic Ready

So, what else do you need to stream on Twitch? 

A good camera.

It’s possible to stream on the platform without having a top-notch camera. Even some basic webcams can get the job done when starting out. If you want to grow your channel, however, getting one designed for live streaming is a vital part of your Twitch streaming setup.

Once you set up the physical device, it’s time to include the facecam in your video. The process depends on what streaming software you use but it’s usually painless.

In terms of audio, a good mic will let you add commentary to your video. As you’ll see later, most options can do a decent job of adding audio to your stream. If you want to go pro, however, you might have to spend a bit more.

Get Online

Here’s the most important part of our How to go live on Twitch guide - the internet connection.

You need a good connection.

Let us elaborate - standard users won’t mind a five-second outage from time to time. But for content creators on Twitch, that drops the entire stream. Unfortunately, most viewers won’t stick around and wait for you to get back online. Even if you experience some lag, they might just go someplace else.

Many pro streamers have two internet connections, just to ensure their show doesn't get interrupted.

So, if you’re wondering how to live stream on Twitch, take a good look at your connection and internet provider.

Set up Your Space

Having a special space for streaming isn’t absolutely necessary. Whatever is lurking behind you can serve as a background for your facecam.

Still, when trying to grow your channel, setting a dedicated place for streaming is a good idea. Especially when broadcasting in the IRL section.

You just need to make sure no one else is visible on the camera and get a few extra pieces of equipment.

A good ring or streaming light can really change the way your viewers see you. Many of them have been designed specifically for streamers. More on that later, though.

Another thing you might want to consider getting is some sort of background.

We’ll let you in on a secret - we know how to set up a Twitch stream with a green screen.

Hide that bedsheet, you won’t be needing it. We’ll tell you all about green screens in a minute.

Also, consider investing in some sound damping measures. Luckily, there are some cheap foam acoustic panels you can mount on the walls available on Amazon.

How To Stream to Twitch From PS4 and Xbox One

Not everyone owns a computer that’s powerful enough to stream gameplay online. Plus, many gaming enthusiasts prefer to play on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.

The good news - that doesn’t stop you from creating content for this platform.

So, how to stream on Twitch from your console?

Well, if you own one of these devices, you already have everything it takes to start broadcasting your gameplay.

Both PlayStation and Xbox consoles let you download the Twitch app and go live from it.

Before you do so, we recommend logging into your account from a web browser. That way, you can choose your Moderation and Safety settings.

Once you complete, you can start creating live content. And in case you’re wondering how to start streaming on twitch from PS4 or Xbox One, we’ve got you covered.

No matter which platform you use, the entire process is painless.

Once you link the device to your Twitch channel, all you have to do is select “Broadcast” from the menu.

Streaming options you have are generally the same as for computers. Some of them are even better.

One of the perks is that the console will recognize which game you’re playing and automatically place your stream in the correct section.

Still, a PC streaming setup has some undeniable benefits.

For example, if you’re a streamer, you have to pay attention to what’s going on in the comment section. Pro streamers have their own moderators. But when starting out, you’ll hardly be able to afford them.

Therefore, when playing on a console, you’ll need a secondary device next to you.

Also, you might struggle to find the right camera for your streaming setup. PS users can only go for a PlayStation camera while Xbox owners need something that’s compatible with their device.

Twitch Streaming Software Worth Your Attention

So, what’s the best streaming software for Twitch that you can use?

OBS Studio

Over time, OBS studio has become one of the most popular streaming software available. If you ask a regular streamer which option to choose, chances are they’ll recommend this tool.

So, how to start streaming on Twitch with OBS?

The software is open-source, and it’s most often used for streaming on YouTube and Twitch. It’s a powerful mixer of video and audio inputs. More importantly, it operates as a powerful recording tool that can capture video from several sources.

The design includes custom overlays that make going live much easier. In terms of features, OBS isn’t the top one, but it has absolutely everything you need. This includes cropping, rotating, and resizing.

Many consider it to be better than some paid options on the market. 

XSplit Gamecaster

XSplit Gamecaster is another effective program Twitch livestreamers use. The program is free to download from the company’s website but you can upgrade your streamers license later. That should give you access to a few more features that can improve your channel.

The software gives a professional feel and makes integrating with the service a real piece of cake.

Often considered to be one of the best Twitch streaming software, XSplit is very intuitive. Even if you’ve never gone live before, you’ll get a hang of it in no time.

Twitch Studio

Next on the list, we have software designed by the folks behind the platform itself.

But how to stream with Twitch studio?

It’s a free and simple tool that makes going live even easier. Its biggest selling point is the direct connection with the platform. All you have to do is log into your account when opening the program and you can start streaming directly. You even get to participate in the chat and choose the category and title in the program.

Another thing - the software lets you personalize your stream to make it more visually appealing.

Initially, the software was only available on Windows but now, it also works on Mac.

Once you go live, you can use hotkeys to control the stream.

What Hardware Do You Need to Stream

Next question.

What do I need to stream on Twitch? Let’s look at all the hardware you might want to get before you start.

Camera

Running a successful channel on the platform requires you to have a facecam. Viewers like interacting with the streamer and most of the time, audio-only isn’t enough.

Luckily, choosing a webcam that fits your needs isn’t hard.

In fact, when setting up a Twitch stream studio, you have all sorts of options in front of you. From budget to pro cameras, the market has it all.

It’s always a good idea to go for something with decent FPS and a wide viewing angle. You also want 1080p to ensure you get every pixel in that bottom left corner.

Lights

No matter what kind of camera you use, you need some kind of lighting for it.

Given how big live streaming has become, lights designed especially for content creators have emerged.

If this is the first time you’re researching how to stream games on Twitch, picking lighting options may seem intimidating.

The good news is that some kits are aimed at rookie streamers. They include everything you need to step up your facecam game.

When choosing yours, you want to look for something with enough lumens and color temperature. Also, keep in mind that some stands are more flexible and easier to fit into your setup.

Microphone

Your audio plays a huge role in your streams. Beginners may get away with using the in-built microphone on their laptop, but when going pro, that’s usually not enough.

If you want to produce crystal-clear commentary, getting an external device is a good idea.

So, how to choose a mic for your Twitch stream setup?

Basically, any podcast microphone should do the trick. There are devices in all price ranges and it’s all about finding something that best fits your setup.

Headphones

Using a microphone isn’t the only way you can add commentary to your stream. In fact, many big names on Twitch don’t have one. Instead, they use headphones.

So, here’s another How to Stream On Twitch guide pro tip - get a good set.

It should block noise, provide audio, and can also work as a mic.

There are numerous gaming headsets on the market and it’s all about choosing the one that you feel comfortable wearing. For example, the famous Fortnite streamer Ninja uses Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro.

If you have a separate microphone, standard headphones will do the trick.

Green screen

With the right software, any background can work as a green screen. If you look at it more closely, however, you’ll see the edges appearing in the video.

So, as part of our How to Start Streaming on Twitch post, we’re going to teach you how to avoid that.

Option number one - get a green screen kit. They are generally inexpensive, and adding one to your streaming studio can make a lot of difference. The biggest difference is that some offer standard while others come with anti-gloss features.

Option number two - streaming software. Most come with a green screen feature, meaning that you can easily set it up. Even if you use a red or blue background, you shouldn’t have trouble loading it in the program.

The Rest

When discussing how to stream on Twitch on PC and the hardware that you can get, the possibilities are seemingly endless.

From gaming keyboards to desks, there’s so much that can give your channel a boost. Even if it doesn’t show up on your facecam, these things may impact your Twitch gameplay. And there’s no need to say that winning more often will attract more viewers.

For increased comfort, you can also look at gaming chairs and get something like the GT890M GTRracing Gaming Chair.

Also, fair warning - when you use all of your equipment in a room with shut doors and windows, that room is going to get extremely hot. Get a nice AC. You can also leave a window open, but keep in mind that this means you might not have full control of the lighting in the video.

Wrap Up

So, how to start streaming on Twitch?

There’s a lot to keep in mind before going live for the first time. If you get onto a good start, you might just turn streaming into a job. 

Instant success is unlikely. With the right equipment, some skill and a little bit of luck, however, you might even turn out to be the next sensation on the platform.

Now’s a great time to get into it as Twitch is expected to remain the leading service for years to come.