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To hear when someone sends an ordinary chat message, set up the Chat Notifications feature in Streamlabs’ Chat Box widget. Choose a sound and volume, configure how long chat must be quiet before a sound plays, and keep the source active on the scenes where you want notifications.
Choose the notification you actually need
“Chat notifications” can mean several different things. Pick the route by what you want to happen:
| Goal | Documented route | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Hear when ordinary chat messages arrive | Streamlabs Chat Box sound notification | Plays a configurable sound, subject to volume, cooldown, and quiet-chat trigger settings. Streamlabs’ Chat Notifications guide (September 5, 2025) documents this feature. |
| Show chat as an overlay in OBS | A third-party Browser Source | Displays chat content in the stream layout; it is not, by itself, an audible notification. |
| Show Twitch chat to viewers | StreamElements “Your Stream’s Chat” overlay | Provides a visual Twitch chat overlay with appearance and emote options. It does not establish that ordinary messages trigger a sound. |
| Post a chat message when a channel event happens | StreamElements Chat Alerts | Posts configured acknowledgments for events such as follows or subscriptions. Supported event types vary by platform. |
For the last two StreamElements routes, consult its chat overlay instructions and Chat Alerts documentation. An event acknowledgment is not a sound cue for every ordinary message.
Set up incoming-message sounds in Streamlabs
- Add the Chat Box widget. Chat Notifications is a feature of the Streamlabs Chat Box widget. Set up the widget in Streamlabs, then configure its notification controls.
- Choose a sound and volume. Select a stock notification sound or upload your own, then set a volume that you can hear without overwhelming your stream audio.
- Set the cooldown. The documented default is five seconds between sounds. Streamlabs explains that a new notification sound can play only when a message arrives at least five seconds after the previous sound notification. This limits repeated cues during fast-moving chat.
- Choose the quiet-chat trigger threshold. This separate control determines how long chat must be quiet before a new message triggers a sound. The available range is five seconds to ten minutes. Use a shorter threshold if you want to notice chat returning after a brief lull; a longer one makes the cue more about chat resuming after a substantial quiet period than about individual messages in an active conversation.
- Keep the source running across the right scenes. In the Chat Box browser-source properties, Streamlabs recommends unchecking Shutdown source when not visible. Add the Chat Box to every scene where you want notifications to remain available. If you want the sound but not chat visible to viewers, put the source below visual elements such as a game scene or BRB screen.
- Reuse the existing source when adding it to more scenes. Add the widget as an existing source rather than creating another copy; duplicate sources can cause duplicate sounds.
- Check the behavior before going live. Confirm the source is present and active in the scenes where you need it, and verify that the chosen sound and volume are audible in your monitoring setup. Streamlabs’ Chat Notifications guide explains the controls but does not give a complete ordinary-message test procedure. Its general alerts guide discusses testing alerts, a different feature; testing an alert does not prove ordinary-message chat notifications work.
What OBS and StreamElements do—and do not—document
OBS chat overlays
OBS Studio’s FAQ (October 7, 2022) says OBS does not directly provide facilities to show stream chat and describes using third-party overlays through a Browser Source. Streamlabs also says its widget URL can be used as a Browser Source in other streaming software. If you use OBS, a browser source is the route for adding an external chat widget; it does not make every overlay an audible-message notifier.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
StreamElements visual chat and event messages
StreamElements’ Twitch chat overlay is for displaying chat in the stream layout. Its documentation describes animated Twitch emotes and third-party BTTV, FFZ, and 7TV emotes, with unlisted 7TV emotes unsupported. Separately, its Chat Alerts module is configured in the dashboard under Chatbot > Chat Alerts: enable the event types you want and configure their messages and parameters. The documented event list differs among Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. Neither the overlay guide nor the event-alert feature should be treated as proof of an audible cue for ordinary messages.
Troubleshoot missing or unwanted sounds
- No sound when chat resumes: Check that Chat Notifications are enabled and the sound volume is not muted or too low. Then check whether the quiet-chat trigger threshold has elapsed; a message during an active conversation may not qualify.
- Sounds stop after changing scenes: Confirm the Chat Box source is included in the scenes where you want it and that Shutdown source when not visible is unchecked, as Streamlabs recommends.
- Two sounds play for one message: Look for duplicate Chat Box sources. Reuse the existing source across scenes instead of adding another copy.
- Sounds are too frequent: The five-second default cooldown limits how soon a new sound can follow the last notification. The separate quiet-chat threshold controls whether a message after a lull triggers sound; adjust these controls according to whether you want cues during active chat or only when it resumes.
- An alert test works, but chat messages stay silent: A general alert test is not a test of ordinary-message notifications. Check the Chat Box notification configuration itself and verify its source is active in the relevant scene.
- You see chat, but hear no cue: A visual overlay and a sound notification are separate functions. Verify that you configured the Chat Box’s Chat Notifications feature rather than only adding a chat display overlay.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a separate need—keeping a pre-recorded YouTube stream running 24/7—StreamNeo is a cloud service, not a chat-notification widget. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only. Learn about StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
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Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
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Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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