How to Go Live on YouTube

Before you start

YouTube live streaming runs through your YouTube account and browser or the YouTube mobile app. You do not need separate streaming server software unless you plan to use an external encoder. For a basic camera or screen-based stream, the built-in live controls are enough.

Check that your computer or phone has a working camera and microphone and that the browser or app has permission to use them. Close other apps that may also be using the camera or microphone, because a capture source can usually be claimed by only one program at a time.

Step-by-step instructions

Start a live stream from a computer

Open YouTube in a desktop browser and sign in to the account you want to stream from. Select the Create button, usually shown with a plus or camera icon, and choose Go live.

If this is your first live stream, YouTube may ask you to verify the channel and may also apply a waiting period before live streaming becomes available. Complete any requested verification and return to the live control room after the waiting time has passed.

Choose the stream type. For a quick start with a webcam, pick Webcam. For more control over scenes, overlays, or an external capture source, use a streaming software option or the built-in encoder settings if they are available in your account.

Enter a title, description, and visibility setting. Select whether the stream is public, unlisted, or private. You can also schedule the stream for later instead of starting immediately.

Allow the browser to access the camera and microphone when prompted. Select the correct camera and microphone in the preview controls if more than one device is connected.

Check the preview image and audio meter. Position the camera, adjust the microphone level, and make sure the frame looks stable before you begin.

Select Go live to start. Keep the live control room open so you can monitor stream health, end the stream, or change basic settings during the broadcast.

Start a live stream from the YouTube mobile app

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet and sign in. Tap the Create button and choose Go live. The app will ask for camera and microphone permission if you have not granted it before.

Set a title, privacy option, and other visible settings. Choose whether to use the front or rear camera and check the preview before starting.

Tap Go live to begin. Use the on-screen controls to pause the video, mute the microphone, or end the stream. Keep in mind that mobile live streaming generally offers fewer encoding controls than streaming from a computer.

Check the output

After the stream starts, confirm that the live indicator is visible and that the elapsed time is moving. Open the stream page on another signed-in device or in a private browser window to see the viewer experience, including playback and audio.

Watch the stream health indicator in the live control room if it is available. This can show whether the connection is stable and whether the output is being processed normally.

Record a short local test before a critical broadcast if you are using an external microphone, an audio interface, or an unfamiliar camera. Check that the recording format opens correctly and that the audio and video remain synchronized.

Confirm the frame rate and bitrate only where your streaming tool displays them. Available values depend on the encoder, capture source, resolution, and connection speed, so match the settings to the tool you are actually using rather than copying a preset that may not apply.

Common problems and next steps

If you do not see a Go live option, the channel may not be enabled for live streaming yet. Check the channel status and any pending verification steps. Some accounts must also clear a waiting period before the option appears.

If the camera preview is black, close other programs that may be using the camera and refresh the page. Then reselect the camera from the live control room. If the microphone is silent, check the browser permission and the system input level, and make sure the correct microphone is selected.

If the stream buffers or drops frames, reduce the output resolution or bitrate and connect through a wired network when possible. Avoid running large downloads or uploads on the same connection during a live broadcast.

If the image looks stretched, jagged, or sluggish, review the resolution, frame rate, and encoding settings in the streaming tool or app. Keep the source aspect ratio consistent with the selected output size and use the lowest settings that still give an acceptable picture if the connection is limited.

Always end the broadcast from the live control room when you are finished instead of simply closing the tab or app. This gives YouTube a clean stop signal and reduces the chance that the final minutes of the stream are not processed.