In OBS Studio, open Settings > Video and change Output (Scaled) Resolution to the size you want YouTube to receive. Leave Base (Canvas) Resolution unchanged if you only want to alter the stream output. Test the new configuration before relying on it for a 24/7 broadcast.
Change the output resolution in OBS
- In OBS Studio, open Settings > Video.
- Set Output (Scaled) Resolution to your intended stream resolution, such as 1280Ă—720 for 720p or 1920Ă—1080 for 1080p. OBS defines this as the stream output size; it can send a 1080p source at 720p. OBS Studio Overview Guide
- Keep Base (Canvas) Resolution at its current value if your goal is only to change what the encoder sends. The canvas is the workspace where OBS arranges sources; changing it may mean resizing or realigning scene elements. OBS Studio Overview Guide
- Review your encoder codec, frame rate, and bitrate against YouTube’s current recommendations for the selected output. The bitrate guidance varies by codec, resolution, and frame rate. YouTube: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
- Test with representative audio and video movement, then check YouTube’s stream-health messages before leaving the channel unattended.
Set YouTube’s resolution detection only if needed
YouTube normally detects the resolution and frame rate sent by the encoder. If you need to choose a resolution manually in Live Control Room, YouTube’s guidance says to create a custom stream key and turn on manual settings under Stream Resolution. That selection affects YouTube’s resolution detection; the encoder must still be configured to send the intended output size. YouTube’s live encoder settings guidance
Choose a resolution, frame rate, and bitrate together
YouTube’s retrieved H.264 recommendations include these combinations. They are encoder recommendations, not guarantees that a particular connection or computer will sustain a 24/7 stream; verify YouTube’s current table for your codec and settings.
| Output configuration | YouTube H.264 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps |
| 240p–720p at 30 fps | 4 Mbps |
Compare the options against your upload capacity and the load on the computer encoding the stream. OBS says lowering output resolution can reduce encoder load, while lowering frame rate can reduce rendering and encoding work. Reducing the canvas is generally not recommended as a performance fix because it complicates source capture and asset management. OBS: Encoding Performance Troubleshooting
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A radio stream built around a mostly static image may not need a high frame rate, but that is a production choice rather than a setting guaranteed to work for every setup. Test your actual scenes and audio rather than assuming an output will remain stable around the clock.
Test before changing a 24/7 broadcast
Use a controlled test or maintenance window before applying a new resolution to an always-on broadcast. YouTube recommends testing before going live and monitoring stream health during an event. The official guidance cited here does not establish whether changing OBS output resolution during an active broadcast takes effect without interruption, so do not assume the change is seamless.
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YouTube also says it transcodes incoming live streams into multiple output formats so viewers can watch across different devices and network conditions. That does not remove the need to send a stable, correctly configured encoder output. YouTube live encoder settings
If you use an encoder other than OBS
Find that encoder’s stream output-resolution setting in its current documentation, then check its codec, frame rate, and bitrate against YouTube’s live settings guidance. The exact interface varies by encoder, so the OBS menu labels above should not be assumed to apply to other software.
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