How To Find My YouTube Stream Key

Open Youtube Live Dashboard by clicking here or follow underneath

Open YouTube and click on "Create" then "Go Live"

Copy the appropriate stream key from the "Stream key" selection

If you have multiple stream keys on YouTube you can click on "Select stream key" and select the key you wish

YouTube Stream Key: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a YouTube stream key and why do I need it?

A YouTube stream key is a unique code that connects your broadcasting software (like OBS or Streamlabs) to your YouTube channel so you can go live.

No - treat your stream key like a password. If someone else has it, they can broadcast to your channel. If it’s ever exposed, reset it immediately. If you are unsure if you exposed it or not - reset it anyway, next time you go live.

How do I find my YouTube stream key?

Go to YouTube Studio.
In the top-right corner, click Create → Go live → Manage → Schedule Stream .
Under Stream Settings, you’ll see your Stream Key.

Click “Copy” to copy it to your clipboard for pasting into your Upstream or any other streaming software.

Do I need a new stream key every time I stream?

No - by default, your primary stream key stays the same. You only need to reset it if you want to change it or if it’s been compromised.

Can I have multiple stream keys on YouTube?

Yes - YouTube allows you to create multiple stream keys (e.g., for different software, events, or team members). You can manage them under Stream Settings → Manage stream keys. Check out our guide on how to create run multiple livestreams on YouTube

How do I reset or regenerate my YouTube stream key?

In YouTube Studio → Go Live → Stream Settings, select Reset next to your stream key. This generates a new one and invalidates the old one.

Why can’t I find my stream key?

Make sure live streaming is enabled on your YouTube account.
New accounts or accounts with restrictions may not have streaming enabled.
You may need to verify your account with a phone number before going live.

I copied my stream key, but there is no data coming to YouTube - why?

After pasting your stream key into your broadcasting software, make sure:

You selected YouTube - RTMP as the service. On upstream you need to be using a Manual Stream to stream via RTMP key.
Your internet connection is stable.
You haven’t reset your key since copying it.
You started the stream (sometimes stopping and starting again will fix it - like with all things in the world)

If issues persist, reset the key and paste the new one again. Make sure there are no spaces or characters before or after your key - sometimes this causes problems.

Can I use the same stream key for 24/7 streams, scheduled streams and regular +GoLive streams?

Yes - you can use your primary stream key for all of them. However, for special events, you may want to generate a separate stream key for better control.

How do I protect my stream key?

Never share it publicly.
Only paste it into trusted software.
Reset it immediately if you think it’s been exposed.
Use account security features like 2-Step Verification.

Can I stream directly without using a RTMP stream key?

Yes and No - if you’re using software or services that connect directly to YouTube via OAuth (sign-in) - like Upstream's YouTube Connect, you may not need to enter the stream key manually, but the stream key will still get passed down to the software you are using. It will just happen automatically, without you copy-pasting.

My stream key field is blank or not showing - what should I do?

Try refreshing YouTube Studio, switching browsers, or disabling extensions. If it still doesn’t appear, confirm your channel is eligible for live streaming and not under restriction.

I reset my stream key but forgot to update on Upstream - what happens?

Your stream won’t connect until you paste the new stream key into the Upstream stream settings. Always update the key on Upstream (and anywhere else) after resetting the key.

Updated on: 01/10/2025

Was this article helpful?

Thank you!