YouTube Stream Key: What It Is, Where to Find It, and How to Use It
Everything you need to know about your YouTube stream key — what it does, where to find it, how to use it in OBS, and how to keep it secure.
Stream Key
A stream key is a unique alphanumeric code that acts as an authentication token, authorizing your streaming software to broadcast video to your specific YouTube channel. It tells YouTube “this stream should appear on this channel” — without it, your stream software has no way to connect to the right account.
Unique
Every YouTube channel has its own stream key — never shared between accounts
Secret
Anyone with your stream key can broadcast to your channel — protect it
2 types
Persistent key (reusable) and per-event key (expires after event)
Rotate
You can reset your key anytime in YouTube Studio if it’s compromised
⚡ Security Warning
Never share your stream key publicly or include it in screenshots or videos. Anyone with your stream key can go live on your channel without your permission. If you accidentally expose it (in a stream screenshot, video tutorial, etc.), reset it immediately in YouTube Studio.
Where to Find Your YouTube Stream Key
- Go to YouTube Studio — visit studio.youtube.com and sign in
- Click “Go Live” — the camera icon with a plus sign in the top right corner
- Select “Stream” — this opens the live stream setup, not the webcam option
- Find Stream settings — look for the “Stream settings” panel on the right side
- Copy your stream key — click the copy icon (📋) next to the hidden key field. The eye icon reveals it temporarily.
Persistent Key vs. Per-Event Key
| Type | Description | When to Use | Expires? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent Stream Key | The same key every time you stream; found in main Stream settings | For regular OBS streaming; best for most creators | No — stays valid until you reset it |
| Per-Event Stream Key | Generated for a specific scheduled live event | When scheduling a one-time event via YouTube Studio | Yes — expires when the scheduled event ends |
How to Use Your Stream Key in OBS
- Open OBS → File → Settings → Stream
- Set Service to “YouTube – RTMPS”
- Set Server to “Primary YouTube ingest server” or Auto
- Click in the Stream Key field → Select All (Ctrl+A) → Paste your key (Ctrl+V)
- Click OK to save → Click “Start Streaming” to go live
How to Reset Your Stream Key
If your key is compromised or not working, reset it in YouTube Studio:
- YouTube Studio → Go Live → Stream → Stream settings → Click “Reset stream key”
- The old key is immediately invalidated — any active stream using it will disconnect
- Copy the new key and update it in OBS and any other streaming tools
- Tip: Resetting your key does not affect your channel or scheduled events — only the key value changes
Stream Without Managing Keys
YTStreamer connects directly to your YouTube account via the YouTube API — no manual stream key management required. Just upload, schedule, and stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people stream to the same channel using the same key?
No — only one active stream can be connected to YouTube at a time per key. If a second connection tries to use the same stream key while another is active, the first connection will be terminated. This is a common issue for creators who forget they have OBS running on another device.
What happens if I use a per-event key after the event has ended?
The key becomes invalid and you’ll get a “failed to connect” error. Each scheduled live event generates a unique key that only works during that event’s active window. For consistent streaming with OBS, always use the persistent stream key found in the main Stream settings page.