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To show live chat on your stream, add the Chat Box widget in Streamlabs Desktop, or copy your account’s Widget URL from the Streamlabs Dashboard and add it as a browser source in OBS Studio or other compatible software. Then adjust the widget’s platform, appearance, and message behavior in its settings.
Choose the setup route for your streaming software
| Route | How you add Chat Box | Where you edit its settings |
|---|---|---|
| Streamlabs Desktop | Add a source, open Widgets, and choose Chat Box. | Streamlabs widget settings. |
| OBS Studio with the Streamlabs Plugin | Sign in to the plugin, open Widgets, and add Chat Box. | Open the widget’s settings button. |
| OBS Studio or other compatible software without the plugin | Copy your Widget URL from the Streamlabs Dashboard and paste it into a browser source. | Streamlabs Dashboard. |
These are alternative setup workflows; the documented instructions do not establish performance differences between them. Streamlabs’ Chat Box setup guide was published February 9, 2023 and last updated July 9, 2026. Exact labels and supported platforms may change, so use the options shown in your account.
Add Chat Box in Streamlabs Desktop
- Install and open Streamlabs Desktop, then open the scene where chat should appear.
- In the Sources area, click the plus button to add a source.
- Open the Widgets tab and select Chat Box.
- Position and resize the Chat Box source in the preview to fit your layout.
- Open the widget properties to customize which platforms and messages appear, and how they look.
When adding chat to another scene, choose the existing Chat Box source rather than creating a duplicate. Streamlabs recommends reusing the source to avoid duplicated sounds.
Add Chat Box to OBS Studio or compatible software
- Sign in to the Streamlabs Dashboard and open Chat Box settings.
- Use the dashboard’s copy control to copy your own Widget URL. Do not reuse an example URL: the guide’s example is illustrative, while your account provides the URL to use.
- In OBS Studio, add a Browser source to the scene and paste in the Widget URL. In other compatible software, add a browser source and paste the same URL.
- Set the browser source’s width and height to match the area you want chat to occupy. Adjust FPS if the display needs tuning.
- Return to Chat Box settings in the dashboard to change platforms, styling, and message behavior.
For details on locating and using the URL, see Streamlabs’ Widget URL guide.
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#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.
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- 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.
Use the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS instead
- Install the Streamlabs Plugin for OBS and sign in.
- Open Widgets in the plugin and add Chat Box.
- Use the widget’s settings button to open its configuration.
This is a separate route from adding a browser source with a Widget URL; choose whichever fits your OBS setup.
Customize what viewers see
Configure the Chat Box in Streamlabs settings. The guide lists these controls; available platforms and integrations can vary by account or region, so check the options visible in your own settings.
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.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Platforms: Choose among the connected platforms offered in your account. The setup guide lists Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Kick, and X; connect supported platforms before expecting their chat to appear.
- Badges and style: Choose which badges appear and select a premade visual style.
- Extra emotes: Enable BTTV or FFZ emoticons if those options are available to you.
- Font color and size: Set text appearance for readability against your video.
- Hide Message After / Always Show Messages: Decide whether messages fade or remain visible.
- Chat Delay: Set how long a message takes to appear on screen.
- Hide Chatters: Hide common bots and/or messages that begin with “!”.
- Custom Bad Words: Add words to suppress from the displayed chat.
Keep chat stable when changing scenes
Streamlabs recommends leaving Shutdown source when not visible unchecked in the widget browser properties when scene transitions should not clear chat or interrupt timed settings. Reusing one Chat Box source across scenes also avoids duplicate notification sounds. If you want notifications to continue across scenes, add that source to each scene; where chat should not be visible, place it below the visible sources.
Optionally add chat sound notifications
- Open Chat Box settings and enable Chat Notifications.
- Select a stock sound or upload one.
- Set the trigger threshold, which Streamlabs describes as the quiet period required before a new message triggers a sound.
If the threshold is off, the guide states that the default cooldown is five seconds. For sound to play across scene changes, use the same Chat Box source in each scene.
The Tool Desk
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Rank #3
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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.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Troubleshoot common setup problems
- Chat does not appear in OBS: Confirm that you copied the Widget URL from your signed-in dashboard, pasted it into a browser source, and sized the source to fit the scene. Re-copy your account URL rather than relying on an example.
- A platform’s messages are missing: Check that the platform is connected and selected in Chat Box settings, and verify that the platform is offered in your account.
- Chat clears or timed behavior stops after a scene switch: Check whether “Shutdown source when not visible” is enabled. Streamlabs recommends leaving it unchecked for transitions where chat should persist.
- Notification sounds play more than once: Check whether you created separate Chat Box sources instead of reusing the existing source across scenes.
- No sound on another scene: Add the Chat Box source to that scene. It can be placed beneath visible sources if you want audio notifications without showing chat there.
- Messages remain too long, fade too quickly, or appear late: Review Hide Message After / Always Show Messages and Chat Delay in the widget settings.
Or let it run in the cloud
Streamlabs Chat Box adds messages to your on-screen layout; it is not a service for keeping a pre-recorded YouTube stream live. If you also want a YouTube channel to loop uploaded videos continuously, StreamNeo is a separate cloud service: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home, it streams your upload as made up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and it can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is YouTube-only and does not display chat as an overlay. Learn about StreamNeo, or start your free 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.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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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
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
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