As League of Legends continues to dominate the online gaming scene, many players are turning to streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube to share their gameplay. Whether you’re aiming to build a community, improve your gameplay through feedback, or simply show off your best moments, streaming with OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a powerful way to get started — and it’s completely free. Here’s how to stream League of Legends using OBS, from setup to going live.
Step 1: Download and Install OBS Studio
Start by downloading OBS Studio from the official website. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once installed, run the software and go through the auto-configuration wizard, which helps determine the best settings based on your system and internet connection.
Step 2: Set Up Your Scenes and Sources
OBS uses a system of Scenes and Sources to control what your viewers see.
- Create a new Scene (e.g., “LoL Stream”).
- Add a Game Capture source. In the source list, click the “+” icon → select Game Capture → name it → choose “Capture specific window” → select League of Legends (TM) Client.
- You may need to create a second Game Capture source for the in-game window (the League client and the match itself are separate programs).
Pro Tip: Use “Windowed Borderless” mode in LoL to avoid capture issues and keep transitions smooth.
Step 3: Configure Your Audio
To ensure viewers can hear both your game and your voice:
- Go to Settings > Audio.
- Set your Desktop Audio to your default playback device (usually your speakers or headphones).
- Set Mic/Auxiliary Audio to your microphone.
You can balance audio levels in the OBS mixer panel on the main screen.
Step 4: Add Your Webcam and Overlays (Optional)
Want a more personal touch? Add a Video Capture Device source to include your webcam feed. You can also add overlays (animated graphics or frames) by adding Image or Media Source files.
Step 5: Connect to a Streaming Platform
To broadcast, you’ll need to link OBS to your preferred streaming service.
- Go to Settings > Stream.
- Choose your platform (Twitch, YouTube, etc.).
- Enter your stream key (found in your Twitch or YouTube dashboard).
OBS will save these settings for future sessions.
Step 6: Optimize Your Settings
In Settings > Output, adjust your bitrate based on your upload speed:
- 2,500–3,500 kbps for 720p at 30 fps
- 4,500–6,000 kbps for 1080p at 60 fps
Use the x264 encoder for high-quality streams unless you have an NVIDIA GPU, in which case NVENC is recommended for performance.
Set your Base (Canvas) Resolution and Output (Scaled) Resolution under Settings > Video, and choose your desired FPS (usually 30 or 60).
Step 7: Go Live
With everything in place, simply click Start Streaming. Launch League of Legends, and OBS will broadcast your gameplay to your audience in real time.
Don’t forget to interact with your chat, monitor stream performance, and stay consistent — successful streaming takes both setup and showmanship.Whether you’re climbing ranked or hosting viewer games, streaming League of Legends with OBS opens the door to a dynamic online presence. With the right setup, your gameplay can be as entertaining to others as it is thrilling to play.
Written by:
Christian