Dual Output in Streamlabs Desktop: Setup Guide

Dual output in Streamlabs Desktop lets you send different scenes or sources to two separate destinations at the same time—for example, a full gameplay scene to Twitch and a face-cam-only scene to YouTube, or a clean feed to a second monitor while you stream to your main platform. This guide walks you through enabling and configuring dual output so you can route independent video and audio to each destination. You’ll need Streamlabs Desktop installed and logged in, and at least one streaming or recording destination already configured.

What You’ll Need

• Streamlabs Desktop (latest version) installed and logged in.
• At least one streaming platform (Twitch, YouTube, Facebook) or a recording output set up in Settings.
• A second destination: another streaming platform, a recording file, or a virtual camera output.
• Optional: a second monitor if you plan to use dual output for a local preview.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Streamlabs Desktop and log in with your streaming account.
2. Go to Settings (gear icon in the bottom-left corner) and select the Stream tab. Choose your primary platform (e.g., Twitch) and connect your account if you haven’t already.
3. In the same Settings window, go to the Output tab. Under Output Mode, select Advanced instead of Simple. This unlocks the dual output options.
4. Scroll down to the Dual Output section. Toggle Enable Dual Output to ON.
5. You’ll see two output slots: Output 1 and Output 2. For each, choose the Output Type: Streaming, Recording, or Virtual Camera.
6. If you choose Streaming for Output 2, select the platform (e.g., YouTube) and log in to that account. If you choose Recording, pick the file path and format (e.g., MP4). If you choose Virtual Camera, it will be available as a webcam source in other apps.
7. Configure the Video settings for each output: resolution, FPS, and bitrate. Note that higher settings on both outputs will increase CPU/GPU load.
8. Set the Audio for each output. You can choose Same as primary to mirror your main audio, or select a specific audio source (e.g., only your mic for Output 2).
9. Click Done to save settings.
10. Now go back to the main Streamlabs window. In the Scene list, right-click on the scene you want to assign to Output 2 and select Dual Output Scene → Set as Output 2 Scene. The scene will now be used only for that output.
11. Repeat for any other scenes as needed. You can also set a scene as “Output 1 Only” or “Both Outputs” via the same menu.
12. To start, click the Go Live button. If you set Output 2 to streaming, it will start streaming to that platform simultaneously. If it’s recording, it will start recording to the file. If it’s virtual camera, it will be available immediately.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to switch to Advanced Output Mode – Dual output is only available in Advanced mode, not Simple.
• Not assigning a scene to Output 2 – If you don’t set a scene, Output 2 will use the same scene as Output 1 by default, which may not be what you want.
• Overloading your system – Running two streams at high bitrate/1080p can cause dropped frames. Lower settings on one output if needed.
• Audio mismatch – If you choose “Same as primary” for Output 2, it will include all your audio sources. If you want separate audio, you must create a separate audio track in the mixer and assign it correctly.
• Not testing before going live – Always do a test run with a private stream or a local recording to verify both outputs work.

Tips

• Use dual output for a “clean” feed (no overlays, no alerts) for recording or for a second platform that should look different from your main stream.
• Set Output 2 to a lower resolution (e.g., 720p) if you’re streaming to a secondary platform to save bandwidth.
• For audio, create a separate audio track in the mixer (click the gear next to a source → Audio Advanced → assign to Track 2) and then select that track for Output 2.
• If you’re using dual output for a local preview, set Output 2 to Virtual Camera and open it in OBS or any video call app.
• Check your internet upload speed—dual streaming to two platforms can easily exceed 10 Mbps. Use a speed test and adjust bitrates accordingly.

Troubleshooting

Output 2 is not starting: Make sure you’ve logged in to the second platform (if streaming) and that the account is authorized. Also check that you’ve assigned a scene to Output 2.

Dropped frames on one output: This usually means your CPU/GPU or upload speed is insufficient. Lower the bitrate/resolution of the affected output, or close other programs.

Audio is duplicated or missing: Go to the mixer, click the gear icon on the source, and check which audio track it’s assigned to. Ensure that each output is using the correct track.

Virtual Camera not showing up: Restart Streamlabs Desktop after enabling it. If it still doesn’t appear, update your graphics drivers.

Settings won’t save: Try running Streamlabs as administrator. Also, make sure you’re not in a preview-only mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stream to Twitch and YouTube at the same time with dual output? Yes, set Output 1 to Twitch and Output 2 to YouTube, each with its own scene and audio.

Can I record and stream simultaneously? Yes, set Output 1 to Streaming and Output 2 to Recording. You can record a clean feed while streaming with overlays.

Does dual output affect my stream quality? It can, because your computer has to encode twice. Lower the settings on one output to reduce load.

Can I use different scenes for each output? Yes, right-click any scene and choose “Set as Output 2 Scene” to assign it specifically to the second output.

How do I set up separate audio for each output? Create a second audio track in the mixer (Track 2), assign specific sources to it, then in Output settings select “Track 2” for Output 2’s audio.

Is dual output available on all versions of Streamlabs? It’s available on the desktop app for Windows and Mac, but the feature may be hidden in older versions—update to the latest version to ensure it’s present.

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