Streamlabs Echo Issue Explained & Fixed

Using Streamlabs for live streaming is a popular choice among gamers, creators, and professionals alike. It provides an all-in-one solution that integrates seamlessly with platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook. However, a common and frustrating issue many users encounter is the dreaded echo. If you or your audience are hearing your voice—or desktop audio—repeating with a delay, don’t worry. This article will break down the cause of the echo in Streamlabs, explain how to fix it properly, and provide best practices to avoid it in the future.

TLDR: Streamlabs Echo Issue Explained & Fixed

If you hear echoing in your live stream or recordings, it’s often caused by multiple audio sources capturing the same sound. This happens when desktop audio and mic audio settings conflict or monitoring outputs are misconfigured. To resolve it, mute duplicate audio channels and avoid feedback loops. Making sure you have only one instance of each audio source active is the key to clean, echo-free streams.

Understanding the Source of the Echo

Before jumping to a solution, it’s important to understand why the echo occurs. The echo in Streamlabs can be caused by one or more of the following:

• Your microphone is picking up output from your speakers.
• You have multiple audio sources capturing the same input.
• Audio monitoring is enabled, creating a playback loop.
• You’re capturing desktop audio and another source simultaneously that includes the same audio.
• A virtual audio cable is misconfigured or duplicated.

The issue often arises after new users tweak audio settings without fully understanding how audio routing works in Streamlabs. Even pros sometimes miss changes after switching audio devices or updating software.

How to Diagnose the Problem

To effectively diagnose and fix the issue, follow these steps in order:

1. Listen to Your Stream Preview: Use the “Record” or “Start Virtual Camera” option to get a look at what your audience hears. This helps localize the source of the echo.
2. Check Audio Mixer: Look at your Streamlabs Audio Mixer. If both “Mic/Aux” and “Desktop Audio” are moving in sync for your speech, the problem is definitely duplicate audio.
3. Identify Additional Input Sources: Click the gear icon next to each source and check whether the audio input/output is active. Any duplicate or redundant source should be muted or removed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Echo

Once you’ve identified the likely cause of the echo, follow the instructions below carefully to stop it permanently:

1. Disable Audio Monitoring for Non-Essential Sources

Streamlabs allows you to monitor audio input by routing it back to your output device—usually your headphones or speakers. This can cause loopback if left unchecked.

1. Click the gear icon in Mixer for the source in question.
2. Select Advanced Audio Properties.
3. In the “Audio Monitoring” column, change the setting from “Monitor and Output” to “Monitor Only (mute output)” or “Off”.

2. Avoid Using Multiple Mic Inputs

Only one microphone should be active at a time unless you’re managing a more complex multicam or studio environment. Multiple mic sources will replay your audio at slightly different timings, resulting in an echo.

• Go to Settings > Audio.
• Under “Mic/Auxiliary Devices”, make sure only one microphone input is assigned.
• Remove duplicate mic inputs from your sources window if they exist.

3. Turn Off Desktop Audio Capture (If Using Window Capture or Game Capture)

If you’re using Game Capture or Window Capture and also capturing desktop audio, you may unintentionally capture a scene’s audio twice.

• Go to Settings > Audio in Streamlabs.
• Set “Desktop Audio Device 2” to “Disabled.”
• If you’re manually adding audio capture sources, avoid selecting the same device twice with different labels.

Best Practices to Prevent Echo in the Future

Once you have fixed the echo, it’s important to adopt the following best practices to avoid repeating the issue:

• Use Headphones: This prevents your mic from picking up sounds from your speakers.
• Test Before Going Live: Always preview your stream or record short test clips to check your audio.
• Organize Your Sources: Name your audio sources in a way that makes it immediately clear what they are. For instance, “Blue Yeti Mic” vs. “System Audio.”
• Revisit Advanced Audio Settings Frequently: After driver or software updates, Streamlabs may reassign default devices or reactivate previously muted sources.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Persistent Echo

If the echo continues even after following all the basic troubleshooting steps, consider the following more advanced strategies:

1. Use VoiceMeeter or a Virtual Audio Cable

For more complex setups (e.g., playing media, guest interviews, or backing tracks), using third-party software like VoiceMeeter or VB-Cable can isolate and route audio efficiently.

• Download and install VoiceMeeter or VB-Cable.
• Assign your microphone and application audio to different virtual cables.
• Input these virtual cables into Streamlabs, giving you full control over which channels are mixed.

Be aware that virtual mixers come with a learning curve and increase latency if not configured correctly. Still, they offer the highest degree of precision.

2. Manage External Streaming Applications

If you’re using third-party apps like Skype, Discord, or Zoom while streaming, disable their internal microphone rerouting features to prevent loopbacks. Also, check if these apps are feeding audio back into Streamlabs via “Window Capture” or “Audio Output Capture.”

3. Check OBS Virtual Camera or NDI Plugins

Some advanced plugins can unintentionally introduce additional audio channels. If you’re using NDI or external streaming cameras, verify their audio input is not being captured independently.

In Summary

Streamlabs echo issues are typically caused by overlapping or redundant audio sources. With careful setup, regular monitoring, and a basic understanding of how audio sources interact within Streamlabs, you can eliminate echo for good and deliver professional-quality content to your audience.

Key Takeaways:

• Echo is usually the result of redundant audio capture or feedback loops.
• Use the Advanced Audio Properties to control monitoring and output settings.
• One active mic and one active desktop audio source is usually sufficient for most setups.
• Don’t forget to test your audio before you go live. Prevention is better than correction.

Now that you understand the causes and fixes for Streamlabs audio echo, you’re well-prepared to keep your live streams sounding crisp and professional, leaving your viewers focused on your content—not irritating sound feedback.