Streaming games online while playing them can slow down your system. You may notice stutters, dropped frames, or poor stream quality. These issues usually happen because your gaming PC is not set up to handle both tasks at once. Luckily, most of these problems don’t require new parts. You just need to set things up the right way.
This guide explains what causes slow streaming and how to fix it. Whether you’re using OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or any other tool, these steps will help your games and streams run better.
What Streaming Does to Your PC?
Streaming takes power. When you play a game, the CPU and GPU work hard to deliver smooth graphics. When you stream, they have to do double the job—one for you, and one for your viewers. If your computer doesn’t have enough free space in memory or a strong enough internet connection, things start to slow down.
Both the game and the streaming software pull from the same pool of system power. If the GPU hits 100% trying to run your game, it won’t have any room left to process your video stream. That’s when lag shows up, and viewers start to notice problems on their end, too.
What Slows Down Your Stream and Game?
A few common things cause most streaming problems. They’re usually easy to fix if you know where to look.
Too many programs running in the background can use up RAM and slow the game. High game settings force your GPU to work harder, leaving less power for your stream. If your internet upload speed is too low or you’re using Wi-Fi, the stream might freeze or lose quality. And if OBS or Streamlabs isn’t set up right, it could be pushing your system too far.
Not all problems come from weak hardware. Many are just the result of the wrong settings or poor system habits.
How to Optimize & Fix Streaming Problems on a Gaming PC?
You don’t need to be a tech expert to fix stream lag. These are the key areas to fix, and each one focuses on a different part of the system.
1. Adjust OBS or Streamlabs Settings
Streaming software uses your CPU or GPU to process and send video. The wrong settings can cause your system to overload even before the game begins.
Use NVENC if you have an NVIDIA graphics card. It uses a separate chip made just for video encoding and won’t slow down your game. AMD cards use AMF in a similar way.
For smoother output:
- Keep your resolution at 1280×720 or 1920×1080.
- Use a bitrate between 4500–6000 kbps depending on your internet.
- Set FPS to 30 for lighter systems or 60 for smoother gameplay if supported.
These settings are easy to find in the Output and Video tabs of your OBS or Streamlabs setup.
2. Tune In-Game Graphics Settings
Games often run on high or ultra by default. That might look great on screen, but it pushes your GPU harder than needed when streaming. Lowering just a few settings can free up enough room for your stream to run without lag.
Start by reducing shadow quality, post-processing, and anti-aliasing. These three are heavy on performance but don’t change how the game plays. You can also cap your FPS to 60 or match your stream’s frame rate.
In some games, using borderless window mode instead of fullscreen can help the system switch between tasks more smoothly.
3. Free Up RAM and CPU Use
When your memory fills up, the computer slows down. One quick fix is to close anything you don’t need. That means browsers, launchers, music players, and even chat apps if you’re not using them on screen.
Open Task Manager and look at the Performance tab. If RAM or CPU is close to 90%, your stream might start to stutter. Shutting down extra apps can bring those numbers back to normal.
If you only have 8GB of RAM, upgrading to 16GB can help a lot. It gives the system more space to juggle your game, streaming software, and anything else in use.
4. Use a Stable Internet Connection
Even the best PC can’t stream well without a strong and steady upload connection. If you’re using Wi-Fi, there’s a chance the signal drops or slows down during play.
A wired Ethernet cable gives the best results. It doesn’t cut out and doesn’t share the signal with as many other devices. You should also test your upload speed before going live. Aim for at least 6 Mbps for 1080p streaming, and don’t let other apps eat up your bandwidth during your stream.
5. Keep Your Drivers and OS Updated
Old drivers or missing updates can cause bugs and poor performance. Your GPU drivers should always be current. Use NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin to keep them updated.
Also, make sure your streaming software is the latest version. Updates fix bugs, improve performance, and sometimes lower system usage.
Don’t forget Windows itself. While it’s good to keep it updated, you should pause large updates during your stream to avoid slowdowns or forced restarts.
6. Monitor Your Performance During Streams
Watching your PC’s performance while you stream helps you catch problems before they ruin your session. OBS has a stats screen that shows you how many frames are skipped or dropped. You can also open Task Manager to check CPU and RAM usage.
If one number keeps rising during the stream—like CPU usage hitting 100%—that’s a sign your settings are too high. Adjusting your game or stream resolution may help.
Some users also like to use tools like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to check temperatures and make sure the system isn’t overheating.
7. Upgrade If Nothing Else Works
If you’ve tried every fix and things still lag, your hardware might need an upgrade. You don’t have to replace the whole PC. Sometimes just changing one part makes a big difference.
Adding more RAM helps with multitasking. Upgrading to a newer graphics card with better encoding support helps OBS work faster. If you’re still on a hard drive, switching to an SSD can cut loading times and reduce stream hiccups.
Start small. Change what matters most to your current setup and needs.
8. Consider Dual PC Streaming (Advanced)
For people who stream full-time or play very demanding games, a second PC can take over the stream while the main PC runs the game. This setup removes the extra load from your gaming system.
To do this, you’ll need a capture card and cables to connect both PCs. Tools like Elgato HD60 S work well for most streamers. But this is an advanced solution and not needed unless you’ve outgrown single-PC streaming.
Tips to Keep Your PC Ready for Streaming
Here are simple things you can do before each stream to avoid problems:
- Restart your PC before going live
- Close all apps you won’t use
- Use wired internet instead of Wi-Fi
- Disable background updates while streaming
- Clear dust from vents and fans monthly
- Save your OBS or Streamlabs profiles
- Avoid downloading or syncing during streams
- Keep your system on a cool, flat surface
These habits help your system run clean and smooth without needing to make big changes.
Conclusion
A slow or messy stream doesn’t mean you need a new PC. With the right settings and simple changes, your system can game and stream at the same time without breaking down.
Try each step, see what improves, and don’t be afraid to test and adjust. Once your setup is right, you’ll spend less time fixing and more time playing.
If this helped, share it with someone else who wants to stream better. And if you’ve found a tweak that works great, leave a comment and tell others what worked for you.