NDI Receiving in Streamlabs Desktop: Setup Guide

This guide walks you through setting up NDI receiving in Streamlabs Desktop, so you can bring video from another computer, phone, or software into your stream or recording as a clean, low-latency source. You’ll need the free NDI Tools installed on the sending machine, and both devices on the same network. By the end, you’ll have your external video showing up as a source you can position, resize, and mix like any other.

What You’ll Need

• Streamlabs Desktop installed on the receiving PC (the one running the stream).
• NDI Tools installed on the sending device (the one that will transmit video). This is free from the official NDI website.
• Both devices connected to the same local network (wired Ethernet recommended for stability).
• If sending from a phone or tablet, the NDI Camera app (or similar) installed on that device.

Step-by-Step

1. Install NDI Tools on the sending device. Download and run the installer from the official NDI website. During installation, you can choose which components to install; for sending, you only need the “NDI Tools” package. The installer will add the necessary NDI runtime to your system.
2. Verify NDI is running on the sender. After installation, open the NDI Tools folder (usually in your Start Menu or Applications folder) and run “NDI Virtual Input” or “NDI Scan Converter” if you plan to send a screen or a window. If you’re sending from an app like OBS Studio or a camera app, that app will have its own NDI output option—no separate tool needed.
3. Configure the sending software. For example, in OBS Studio on the sending PC, go to Tools → NDI Output Settings and check “Main Output”. This broadcasts your scene as an NDI source. For a phone, open the NDI Camera app and it will start broadcasting automatically once you grant camera permission.
4. Open Streamlabs Desktop on the receiving PC. Make sure you’re logged in and your scene collection is loaded.
5. Add an NDI source. In your Sources box, click the + button, then choose NDI Source from the list. If you don’t see it, you may need to update Streamlabs or check that the NDI runtime is installed on this PC as well (it usually is, but installing NDI Tools here too ensures compatibility).
6. Select your NDI source. In the properties window that opens, click the dropdown next to “Source name”. You should see the name of your sending device (e.g., “OBS-Studio” or “NDI Camera”). Select it and click OK.
7. Position and resize the source. The NDI video will appear in your preview. Drag it to the desired location and use the red handles to resize. You can also right-click the source for options like “Transform” to fit the screen.
8. Test the connection. Move something on the sending side (like moving your mouse or changing the camera angle) and confirm it appears in Streamlabs with minimal delay. If it’s laggy or doesn’t show, troubleshoot using the sections below.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to enable NDI output on the sender. Just having NDI Tools installed isn’t enough—you must explicitly turn on NDI output in the sending app (e.g., checking “Main Output” in OBS).
• Using different network subnets. If both devices are on Wi-Fi but on different bands (2.4GHz vs 5GHz) or behind different routers, they may not see each other. Put them on the same subnet.
• Firewall blocking NDI. Windows Firewall or third-party security software can block the NDI discovery protocol. Allow NDI through the firewall on both machines (the installer usually does this, but a strict policy may override it).
• Selecting the wrong source name. If you have multiple NDI senders, you might pick the wrong one. The source name usually matches the device or app name, so double-check.
• Not updating Streamlabs. Older versions may lack the NDI source or have bugs. Keep Streamlabs updated to the latest version.

Tips

• Use wired Ethernet for the receiving PC and the sending PC if possible. NDI can work over Wi-Fi, but it’s more prone to jitter and dropped frames.
• Lower the resolution on the sending side if you experience lag. For example, in OBS NDI output settings, you can reduce the output resolution to 720p instead of 1080p.
• Name your sources clearly. If you have multiple NDI sources, rename them on the sending side (e.g., “Camera-1” instead of “OBS-Studio”) to avoid confusion in the dropdown.
• Use the “Buffering” setting if you see stuttering. In the NDI source properties, increase the buffering value (in milliseconds) to smooth out network hiccups. Start with 100ms and adjust.
• Keep both machines’ clocks synced. NDI uses timecodes; if the clocks are wildly different, you may see sync issues. Usually this isn’t a problem, but you can enable NTP sync if needed.

Troubleshooting

NDI source not appearing in the dropdown. First, confirm the sender is actually broadcasting. On the sending machine, check the NDI output status (e.g., in OBS, the NDI output window shows “Active”). Then, on the receiving PC, close and reopen the NDI source properties—sometimes it needs a refresh. If it still doesn’t appear, restart Streamlabs. Also verify that both machines are on the same network by pinging one from the other.

Video is black or frozen. This usually means the NDI stream is not being received properly. Check the network connection—try a wired cable. Also, on the sending side, make sure the output resolution and frame rate are supported (most NDI sources support 1080p60, but lower is safer). If using Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or reduce the stream quality.

Audio is missing. NDI can carry audio, but it depends on the sender. In OBS, the NDI output includes audio by default, but if you’re using a separate audio interface, you may need to route it through the NDI source. Check the NDI source properties in Streamlabs—there’s an option to “Use audio” that must be checked.

High latency or delay. NDI is designed for low latency, but network congestion can cause delays. Reduce the number of other network-heavy activities (like large downloads) on either machine. Also, try lowering the video quality on the sender. In Streamlabs, you can also try reducing the buffering value to see if that helps—though too low may cause stutter.

NDI source works but is choppy. This is often a network issue. Check for packet loss using a tool like PingPlotter or just try a different network cable. If you’re on a managed network (like a corporate or school network), there may be multicast restrictions—try using “NDI | Unicast” mode if available on the sender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need NDI Tools installed on the receiving PC too?
A: Yes, it’s recommended. Streamlabs includes the NDI runtime, but installing NDI Tools ensures the latest version and helps with discovery. It’s a small download.

Q: Can I use NDI over the internet?
A: NDI is designed for local networks. Over the internet, you’d need a VPN or a dedicated NDI bridge service, which is beyond the scope of this guide. For remote streaming, consider using a different protocol like RTMP.

Q: How many NDI sources can I have in one scene?
A: There’s no hard limit, but each source consumes network bandwidth and CPU. On a typical gigabit network, you can have several 1080p sources, but performance depends on your hardware.

Q: Does NDI work with a phone camera?
A: Yes, using the NDI Camera app (available for iOS and Android). Install it on your phone, make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, and it will appear as an NDI source in Streamlabs.

Q: Why is my NDI source not showing video but the audio works?
A: This could be a video driver issue on the receiving PC. Try updating your graphics drivers. Also, check that the sender is outputting a resolution that your graphics card can handle—try lowering the sender’s output to 720p.

Q: Can I use NDI to send my Streamlabs scene to another computer?
A: Yes, but that’s the reverse setup. Streamlabs can also output NDI (via the NDI output plugin or built-in feature), but this guide focuses on receiving. For sending, you’d enable NDI output in Streamlabs settings and then receive it on another machine.

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