To add Streamlabs chat to a livestream, add the Chat Box as a widget source in Streamlabs Desktop or the Streamlabs OBS Plugin, or copy its Widget URL from the Streamlabs Dashboard and paste it into a browser source. Configure the widget in Streamlabs, then size and position the source in your streaming scene.
Choose the setup route that fits your streaming software
| Route | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Streamlabs Desktop widget source | You already build scenes in Streamlabs Desktop. | Direct widget sources use the active Streamlabs widget theme; settings follow the Streamlabs workflow. |
| Streamlabs Plugin for OBS | You use OBS and want the Streamlabs widget integration. | You need to install the plugin and sign in. |
| Browser source with the Widget URL | You use OBS or compatible software, or need a theme that is not active. | You must copy the URL, add a browser source, and set its dimensions. |
In all three cases, the widget is configured through Streamlabs and displayed in your streaming software as a source. Streamlabs’ guide, “How to Set Up a Chat Box Overlay,” was published February 9, 2023 and last updated July 9, 2026; interface labels may change.
Add Chat Box in Streamlabs Desktop
- Open Streamlabs Desktop and select the add-source control in the editor.
- Open Widgets, select Chat Box, and add it to the scene.
- Position and resize the source in the preview so messages fit the intended part of your layout.
- Open the Chat Box settings to configure its appearance and behavior.
If Streamlabs asks whether to add a new source or use an existing one, choose the existing Chat Box source when the same widget is already in the scene. This avoids duplicate sources and potentially duplicate sounds.
Add Chat Box through the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS
- Install the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS and sign in.
- Open the plugin’s Widgets tab.
- Select Add beside Chat Box.
- Open the widget’s settings button to adjust its appearance and behavior.
Add Chat Box as a browser source
This route works in OBS and other compatible streaming software. The Widget URL is tied to your widget configuration, so copy it from your own account; do not share a private URL publicly.
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- In the Streamlabs Dashboard, open Chat Box and copy its Widget URL.
- In OBS, add a Browser source to the scene.
- Paste the Widget URL into the source’s URL field and confirm.
- Adjust the browser source’s width, height, and FPS if the preview does not fit or update as expected.
- Move and resize the source in the scene preview to place the chat where you want it.
Streamlabs explains how to locate widget links in its Widget URLs guide. For the browser-source route, the URL loads the configured widget; dimensions are controlled in the streaming software.
Choose and apply the right widget theme
For direct widget sources in Streamlabs Desktop or the OBS Plugin, the source uses the active Streamlabs widget theme. If the intended appearance does not show, check which theme is active and whether the scene collection has a theme override. Streamlabs’ theme guide was published May 14, 2024 and last updated July 8, 2026.
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If you want a theme that is not active, use that theme’s Widget URL in a browser source instead. Streamlabs documents widget themes and their use at What Are Widget Themes and How to Use Them.
Keep chat and notifications consistent when scenes change
For a Chat Box browser source, Streamlabs recommends unchecking Shutdown source when not visible in the browser properties. Streamlabs says this helps prevent timed settings from being interrupted and chat from being cleared when switching scenes.
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If you use Chat Notifications and want their sounds in multiple scenes, include the Chat Box source in each scene where the sounds should be available. When you want notifications without visible chat, place the source beneath a full-screen scene element so it is covered.
Adjust chat behavior in the widget settings
Streamlabs documents these controls in the Chat Box settings. Dashboard labels and their locations can change.
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- Hide Message After: sets how long messages remain visible before they fade or disappear.
- Always Show Messages: keeps messages visible instead of letting them fade on a timer.
- Chat Delay: delays when messages appear in the overlay.
- Hide Chatters: suppresses selected common bots or commands from the display.
- Custom Bad Words: filters words you specify.
Troubleshoot a missing or misbehaving Chat Box
- The widget is missing from the scene: confirm that the source was added to the scene you are previewing, then check its visibility and position in the source list.
- The wrong appearance is displayed: for a direct Desktop or Plugin source, check the active widget theme and any scene-collection theme override. For an inactive theme, use its Widget URL as a browser source.
- The browser source looks cropped or too small: adjust its width and height, then reposition or resize it in the scene preview.
- Chat clears or timed behavior resets after a scene switch: open the browser source properties and uncheck Shutdown source when not visible.
- Notification sounds are absent in some scenes: add the Chat Box source to each scene where you want those notifications available.
- Messages appear too long or include unwanted content: adjust Hide Message After, Always Show Messages, Chat Delay, Hide Chatters, or Custom Bad Words to match the intended behavior.
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