Quick Answer
streamlabs.exe is safe. It's the core executable for Streamlabs Desktop, used for streaming, recording, overlays, and chat integration.
What is streamlabs.exe?
streamlabs.exe is the primary executable for Streamlabs Desktop, a streaming and recording suite built on OBS. It manages capturing, encoding, overlay rendering, chat integration, and alert systems during live broadcasts. This file starts the UI, handles scene switching, and coordinates inputs from capture devices, webcam sources, and desktop audio.
Streamlabs Desktop uses a multi-threaded, multi-process architecture to separate capture, rendering, and IO tasks, reducing a single point of failure and improving stability during broadcasts.
Quick Fact: Streamlabs OBS builds on OBS Studio with integrated overlays, chat, and donations managed through streamlabs services.
Types of Streamlabs Processes
- Main Process: Handles UI, scene management, and startup
- Capture/Renderer Process: Renders video sources and overlays per scene
- Encoder/Video Streaming Process: Encodes and sends the live stream to streaming services
- WebSocket/Chat Process: Manages chat integration and stream alerts
- Update/Helper Process: Background updater and helper tasks
- Audio/Monitoring Process: Handles audio routing and monitoring
Is streamlabs.exe Safe?
Yes, streamlabs.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Streamlabs downloaded from official sources (streamlabs.com or the Streamlabs website).
Is streamlabs.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real streamlabs.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.
How to Tell if streamlabs.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Streamlabs OBS\Streamlabs.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Streamlabs OBS\Streamlabs.exe. Any streamlabs.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager -> Open file location -> Right-click streamlabs.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show "Streamlabs, LLC".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 2-15% CPU per scene during streaming, 120-600 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Streamlabs should run when you start streaming or open the app. Constant background execution when not opening the app indicates unwanted software.
Red Flags: If streamlabs.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs without opening the app, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan with antivirus software. Beware of similarly-named files.
Why Is streamlabs.exe Running on My PC?
streamlabs.exe runs when you start Streamlabs Desktop or when a streaming session is active, and may stay resident to manage overlays and alerts.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Streaming or Recording: You're actively streaming or recording; the main and auxiliary processes manage sources and encoding.
- Background Overlay and Alerts: Streamlabs runs in the background to render overlays, alerts, and widgets during a live stream.
- Chat and Donations Integration: WebSocket or backend components manage chat, donations, and subscriber alerts in real time.
- Startup and Background Tasks: Streamlabs may start at login or remain resident to monitor scenes and notify you of events.
- Resource-Intensive Scenes: Complex scenes with many sources cause higher CPU and GPU usage, keeping processes active for encoding.
Can I Disable or Remove streamlabs.exe?
Yes, you can disable streamlabs.exe. You can stop streaming, exit the app, or disable startup to prevent it from launching automatically.
How to Stop streamlabs.exe
- End Active Stream: Stop streaming from the Streamlabs UI; press the Stop button in the control panel.
- Close Application: Choose Exit or Quit from the Streamlabs menu or Taskbar icon.
- End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager, locate streamlabs.exe, and End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Streamlabs Desktop
- Disable Background Features: In Streamlabs Settings → General, disable automatic startup and background features.
How to Uninstall Streamlabs Desktop
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Streamlabs Desktop → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Streamlabs Desktop → Uninstall
- ✔ Remove residual data: Delete the Streamlabs folder in AppData\Roaming and related recovery folders if needed
- ✔ Reinstall other streaming software: OBS Studio or other streaming tools if you need alternatives
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If streamlabs.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Complex Scenes and Sources: Limit scene complexity, reduce sources, and disable unused widgets or video captures.
- High-Resolution Game Capture: Lower game capture resolution or switch to Window Capture for performance.
- Resource-Heavy Extensions/Plugins: Disable unnecessary widgets, overlays, or plugins from Streamlabs settings.
- Outdated Software: Update Streamlabs Desktop to the latest version
- Encoding Settings: Adjust bitrate, keyframe interval, and encoder preset to reduce CPU load
- GPU Drivers: Update GPU drivers and ensure hardware acceleration is configured properly
Quick Fixes:
1. Close unused scenes and sources in Streamlabs
2. Reduce resolution or frame rate for streaming
3. Check for heavy widgets and disable them
4. Update Streamlabs to the latest version
5. Restart Streamlabs and the computer if necessary
Frequently Asked Questions
Is streamlabs.exe safe?
Yes, the legitimate streamlabs.exe from Streamlabs is safe. Ensure it is located in C:\Program Files\Streamlabs OBS\Streamlabs.exe and has a valid digital signature from "Streamlabs, LLC".
Why is streamlabs.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can be caused by complex scenes, encoding settings, game capture, or heavy browser sources. Try lowering scene complexity, updating Streamlabs, and using a hardware encoder.
Can I delete streamlabs.exe?
You can uninstall Streamlabs Desktop if you no longer need it. Your streams and settings are saved if you log in, but local data may be removed.
Can I disable streamlabs.exe at startup?
Yes. Disable it in Task Manager > Startup to prevent automatic launch when Windows starts.
How do I fix streaming not capturing audio or video?
Check input/output devices in Streamlabs, ensure correct scene sources, and verify that the encoder is set up. Restart the app if needed.
Why does Streamlabs spawn multiple processes?
Streamlabs uses a multi-process architecture to separate capturing, rendering, and network IO for stability and performance.