The Ultimate Guide to OBS Studio Hotkeys
Streaming requires multitasking. You are playing a game, reading chat, and managing your broadcast all at once. Fumbling with your mouse to switch scenes or mute your mic looks unprofessional. The solution? Hotkeys.
Why You Need Hotkeys
Hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts) allow you to control OBS without leaving your game window. They are the poor man's Stream Deck. Instead of $150 hardware, you just use the keys you already have.
Essential Hotkeys Every Streamer Needs
- Switch Scenes (BRB / Game / Chatting): Instantly cut away if you need to sneeze or answer the door.
- Mute Mic (Toggle): Crucial for coughs or private conversations.
- Save Replay Buffer: If you hit a cool clip, press a key to save the last 60 seconds of gameplay to your hard drive immediately.
How to Set Hotkeys in OBS
- Open OBS Studio.
- Go to Settings > Hotkeys.
- Scroll to the action you want (e.g., "Start Recording").
- Click the empty box and press your desired key combination (e.g.,
Ctrl + Shift + R). - Click Apply.
Best Practices
Avoid using single keys like "M" for mute, as you will accidentally trigger it while typing in chat.
Always use combinations like Ctrl + Shift + Key or Alt + Key to prevent
accidents.