How to stream on Twitch: The ultimate guide
Do you need instructions on how to link an Xbox controller to your computer? The use of a controller is preferable for certain categories of video games, despite the fact that the use of a keyboard and mouse is superior for many categories of video games.
Since Microsoft is in charge of both the Xbox and the Windows PC platforms, it is simple to connect an Xbox controller to a Windows computer. The following is a guide on how to utilise your Xbox controller to play games on your personal computer. This guide applies to both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S controllers, as all of these controllers are nearly identical.
There are three different methods available for connecting an Xbox controller to a PC. In this section, we will go over each method in turn.
How to create a Twitch account
1. Review the community guidelines.
Using a micro-USB cable (in the case of Xbox One controllers) or a USB-C cable (in the case of Series X|S controllers) to connect your Xbox controller to your personal computer is the simplest method available. Plug one end of the cable into a USB port on your computer, and the other end into the thin connector on your Xbox controller. If the controller does not turn on automatically, you can turn it on by pressing the button on the Xbox.
Connect the Xbox One Controller to the Personal Computer. Wired Xbox Support is responsible for the image.
It is expected that Windows 10 and Windows 11 will immediately identify the controller when it is connected. If you’re using an older version of Windows, the operating system should be able to download the necessary drivers on its own, and your controller will be ready to use in just a few moments.
If you plug your Xbox controller into a computer, the computer will provide the power for the controller, preventing the batteries from running out. Even if the batteries are removed, you can continue to use the controller through the USB connection.
Simply unplugging your Xbox controller from the computer will allow you to detach it from the computer. It may flash for a few seconds while it searches for other devices, but soon after that, it will switch off completely. If you want to turn it off immediately, press and hold the Xbox button on the controller for a few seconds until the indicator light goes out. This will turn it off immediately.
2. How to Use Bluetooth to Connect an Xbox Controller to a Personal Computer
If your computer has Bluetooth, this is an easy way to set up a wireless connection between your Xbox controller and your computer. On the other hand, in order to use it with an Xbox One controller, you need to have a more modern model; the differences between the two are illustrated in the image that can be found below.
If the Xbox button on your Xbox One controller is surrounded by a plastic covering, as shown in the top image, then your controller does not support Bluetooth connectivity. If you want to connect your Xbox controller to your PC without using Bluetooth, you will need to purchase an Xbox Wireless Adapter (which will be discussed further below). Bluetooth connectivity is only available on the base model, which can be identified by the absence of any plastic surrounding the Xbox button.
Bluetooth connectivity is built into every Xbox Series X|S controller. If your controller’s Share button is located in the middle of the controller, then you have a Series X|S model.
- Xbox One controller model comparison
- Xbox Support is responsible for the image.
To utilise Bluetooth in Windows 10, navigate to the Settings menu, then select Devices, and then select Bluetooth & other devices. Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices on your Windows 11 device. There, make sure the Bluetooth slider is turned on (if it isn’t already) and select either Add Bluetooth or other device (Windows 10) or Add device from the drop-down menu (Windows 11). Choose Bluetooth from the list that appears after your search.
Next, turn on your Xbox by pressing the button labelled “Xbox” on your controller. The Xbox button will begin quickly flashing when you press and hold the Pair button on the top of the controller (the little button next to LB) for a few seconds.
From this point forward, the Bluetooth pairing menu on your personal computer should now display your Xbox controller as an available device. Choose it, then go through the necessary steps to match them. Refer to our walkthrough on how to set up Bluetooth in Windows 10 if you are having any difficulties.
Keep in mind that utilising your Xbox controller remotely will result in the depletion of the batteries included within it. It is recommended that you purchase the Xbox One Play and Charge Kit (or the Xbox Rechargeable Battery for Series X|S controllers) in order to provide your controller the ability to recharge its batteries. Doing so will help you save money on batteries. When you’re not using your controller, you may quickly and conveniently connect it to your personal computer (PC) so that it will always be available for the next time you play.
3. To pair your Xbox One controller with your computer, use the Xbox Wireless Adapter.
The Xbox Wireless standard was developed by Microsoft and is included in some computers; nevertheless, it is unlikely that yours is one of those systems. Therefore, if you want to wirelessly sync your Xbox controller with your PC but aren’t using Bluetooth, you’ll need to purchase the Xbox Wireless Adapter.
Through the use of this adapter, you will be able to connect your Xbox controller to your personal computer (PC) in a wireless manner, using the same proprietary connection that is utilised by your Xbox console. Take into consideration that Windows 11 does not receive official support for it.
Simply insert the wireless adapter into a USB port on your own computer, and then let Windows to install the necessary drivers. Once it is finished, you can check its status by pressing and holding the button on the adapter until a light flashes.
Which software to use for live streaming on Twitch
Next, turn on your controller by pressing and holding the Xbox button while also pressing and holding the Pair button, which is located on the top of the controller. After a brief period of time, the controller and the adapter ought to recognise one another and connect.
From this location, you can use your Xbox controller wirelessly on your personal computer, just like you would with Bluetooth. Having an Xbox One controller that does not support Bluetooth is required in order for us to recommend using this method, though. In such case, you would be better off adding Bluetooth to your computer through the use of an adapter that is less expensive than the Xbox Wireless Adapter.
Instructions on How to Reconnect Your Xbox Controller to Its Associated Console
Remember that if your Xbox controller is already attached to an Xbox One or Series X|S console, pushing the Xbox button on your controller will turn on the system. This is something to keep in mind when using your controller. You should still be able to pair it wirelessly by utilising either of the techniques described above; however, when you have finished doing so, it is recommended that you power off your console (or shut down and unplug it before you start). If you attempt to connect your controller to many devices at the same time, you will run into problems.
After you have used any of the methods described above to connect your Xbox controller to a personal computer, the next time you wish to use the controller with your Xbox, you will need to re-pair it with your console. In order to accomplish this via the wired method, first connect the controller to your Xbox using a USB cable, and then click the Xbox button to begin the pairing process.
Simply pressing the system’s pairing button will allow you to wirelessly connect the controller. On the first-generation Xbox One, you’ll find it to the left of the disc tray; on the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, you’ll find it on the front panel, to the right of the power button, in the bottom-right corner. It is located at the front of the Xbox Series X|S system, close to the USB port where you can plug in your device.
After you have activated this button, turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox button, and then couple it by pressing and holding the Pair button that is located on the top of your controller. If you experience any issues, check out the guide on how to troubleshoot an Xbox controller.
What type of hardware to use when broadcasting on Twitch
There is a useful shortcut available for switching between associated devices if you are using an Xbox Series S|X controller. You can rapidly switch to the most recent Xbox Wireless connection by pressing the Pair button on top of the controller twice when it is already linked to a Bluetooth device (usually your console). After that, hit the Pair button a total of two more times to reestablish a connection with the Bluetooth item you were utilising just before.
Last but not least, keep in mind that you can turn off your Xbox controller (even when it isn’t connected to a PC or console through a connection) by pressing and holding the Xbox button for around five seconds. Your game console will power off once the indicator light on this button goes out.
You can easily connect a controller from an Xbox to your computer.
When it comes to connecting an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S controller to a computer, you have a wide variety of choices. Now that you are aware of the many options, you can choose to connect using a USB cable, which is the most straightforward technique, or you can connect using Bluetooth, which is a wireless technology.
If you are looking for a location to stream your most recent playtime on the Nightmare difficulty, or if you would like to display a sneak glimpse on an open beta for a highly anticipated game, then you have come to the right place. You may try broadcasting if you already have the necessary equipment, and fortunately, Twitch is considered to be one of the most reliable venues for streaming video games. The best thing is that Twitch is incredibly accessible on all of the top Android streaming devices that you can get your hands on, which means that your friends and family can watch you wherever you are.
To get started with Twitch, all you need to do is establish an account on the platform and give yourself a channel to broadcast on. After then, the URL to your channel is shared with your friends and family so that they can listen in once it is live and running. Android Police is here to guide you through the process of setting up your very first Twitch stream on your personal computer while also educating you on the fundamental streaming optimization principles that Twitch employs.
How to stream Twitch on PC: Share your gaming experiences with family and friends
There are some machines that are not designed to deal with streaming, and in order to maintain a steady stream, you will also need to ensure that you have a reliable internet connection. As you gain experience with streaming, you will start to apply quality-of-life upgrades to your channel in order to make it better for your viewers. The following is a brief checklist that can assist you in determining whether or not your setup is prepared for streaming.
Technical checklist for streaming on Twitch
- Selecting the Appropriate Software: The programme Twitch Studio, which is available for free and was developed specifically for direct streaming on Twitch, is set as the default. Other software such as OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and Xsplit Broadcaster can also be utilised.
- Verifying your hardware consists of: Your personal computer will need to be capable of running the game you are streaming, the software for streaming, and maybe webcam and audio software all at the same time in order to do so successfully. The following specifications are required for the installation and operation of Twitch Studio: a 64-bit version of the Windows 8.1 operating system, a graphics processing unit that is compatible with DirectX 11, 4 GB or more of random access memory (with 2 GB available), and either a 4-core Intel or AMD central processing unit.
- Audio quality: Your choice of headset microphone can have a significant impact on the quality of your streaming experience; you should give some thought to purchasing a microphone that focuses on picking up your speech and has the ability to cancel out background noise.
- The lighting in your room and the angle at which you are filming need to be taken into consideration in order to provide the highest possible video quality. The sort of content you intend to broadcast will determine how much of your camera you want to have visible on the screen. When a game is the primary emphasis, streaming with a webcam is by no means required at all, therefore there is no use in spending money on the most sophisticated camera currently available.
- If you’re aiming to build a name for yourself as a streamer, you should also take into consideration the possibility of adding or creating an overlay. The creation of logos, borders, and other graphical elements requires the use of overlays, which are graphics that are applied to the stream. You can implement your overlay by utilising the options for Twitch Studio.
- You may get your trip started on Twitch.
It’s possible that your first few broadcasts on Twitch won’t be official streams intended for live audiences. Keep in mind that you are need to carry out technical tests in order to determine how well your system supports streaming. After that, you’ll need to adjust and perfect the parameters of your software so that you can produce better content in the future. When configuring streams for games, certain games may end up being more demanding on the resources of your hardware than others. This is especially true for graphically intensive games like Call of Duty: Warzone, which means that your hardware requires even more precise optimization in addition to a setup that is more robust to match.
Starting your journey on Twitch
You’ll need to make a few adjustments to the settings before going live. The broadcasting programme that you use should come with a list of recommended settings that you should implement, but in the meanwhile, below is a list of general settings that will assist you in getting started.
Setting up recommended broadcast options
Main, also known as the recommended profile, or baseline for video encoding.
Strict CBR is the mode (constant bit rate).
Audio Codec: H.264 (x264), AAC-LC (stereo or mono).
128 kilobits per second is the suggested bitrate (for maximum compatibility).
Maximum audio bitrate: 320 Kbps (AAC).
The sampling frequency can be either 44.1 or 48 kHz.
Other
The maximum length of a broadcast is forty-eight hours.
How to stream Twitch on your PC
Download and install the software known as Twitch Studio, although you can use any streaming software you like in its place. After logging into your Twitch account on the website, navigate to the Creator Dashboard > Streaming Tools section. Here, you will find a list of tools that can be used for broadcasting.
Launch Twitch Studio once it has been downloaded and installed on your computer, and then sign into your Twitch account there.
Streaming on Twitch-1 and Streaming on Twitch-2 are two different images.
Simply click the Get Started button and then follow the instructions displayed on the screen. You will configure your microphone, the screens that will appear during your live (scenes), and the quality settings for the stream itself.
After you have finished the basic setup, you will have access to the main page. From this page, you will be able to personalise your stream preview, scenes (screens), layout, as well as the title of your broadcast and the category it belongs to.
Streaming on Twitch-2 Images Streaming on Twitch-3 Images Streaming on Twitch-4 Images
Click the Start Stream > Go Live button once you have finished configuring your streaming settings. Congratulations, you have successfully launched your first broadcast! Note that Twitch VODs (video on demand) will not save automatically; you will need to toggle on the option to Store saved broadcasts inside your channel settings.