How to Auto Connect Twitch Chat to OBS Studio

Setting up OBS Studio to automatically connect and display your Twitch chat every time you launch the software streamlines your streaming workflow. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to link your Twitch account to OBS Studio, enabling integrated docks that load your chat immediately upon startup.

The easiest and most reliable way to ensure your Twitch chat auto-connects when you open OBS Studio is by natively linking your Twitch account to the software.

  1. Open OBS Studio and click on Settings in the bottom-right corner (or go to File > Settings).
  2. In the Settings menu, click on the Stream tab in the left sidebar.
  3. Set the Service dropdown to Twitch.
  4. Click the Connect Account (recommended) button.
  5. A secure login window will prompt you to sign into your Twitch account and authorize OBS Studio.
  6. Once authorized, click Apply and then OK in the OBS Settings window.

Upon completing these steps, OBS Studio will automatically load your Twitch Chat, Stream Information, and Activity Feed as dockable windows. These docks will automatically connect and refresh every time you open OBS.

Method 2: Use a Custom Browser Dock

If you prefer not to link your entire Twitch account to OBS Studio, you can configure a custom browser dock to load your chat automatically upon startup.

  1. Go to Twitch and navigate to your channel’s chat.
  2. Click the Settings (gear icon) at the bottom of the chat column and select Popout Chat.
  3. Copy the URL of the popout chat window (the URL format is https://www.twitch.tv/popout/YOUR_USERNAME/chat).
  4. Open OBS Studio and go to the top menu: Docks > Custom Browser Docks…
  5. In the Dock Name column, type “Twitch Chat”.
  6. In the URL column, paste the popout chat link you copied.
  7. Click Apply.

A new, dedicated chat window will appear in OBS. You can drag and dock this window anywhere within the OBS interface. Because it functions as an embedded browser, it will automatically connect to your Twitch chat every time OBS Studio is opened.