Quick Answer
xsplit-broadcaster.exe is safe. XSplit Broadcaster is a legitimate streaming/recording tool that manages scenes, sources, encoding, and outputs to RTMP services and NDI streams during live broadcasts.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\SplitmediaLabs\xSplit Broadcaster\xsplit-broadcaster.exe
Warning
Expected multiple internal processes
Each scene, source, and encoder may run in separate threads for performance
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close the app or stop streaming; disable startup to prevent auto-launch
What is xsplit-broadcaster.exe?
xsplit-broadcaster.exe is the Windows executable for XSplit Broadcaster, a professional live streaming and recording tool. It captures screen, window, and game content, then combines video/audio sources and streams or records to platforms or local files. It supports scenes, overlays, and chroma keying during broadcasts.
XSplit Broadcaster uses a multi-threaded pipeline to separate capture, encoding, and delivery tasks. It leverages GPU encoding and CPU cores to maintain smooth streams, supports RTMP, NDI, and local recording with scene-driven workflows.
Quick Fact: XSplit Broadcaster pioneered scene-based live streaming with modular sources, enabling rapid scene changes and overlays during broadcasts.
Types of XSplit Broadcaster Processes
- Main Broadcast Engine: Orchestrates scene switching, encoding, and stream output (1 instance)
- Capture/Scene Renderer: Handles video capture and scene rendering for each scene/source
- Encoder/Publisher: Encodes video/audio for streaming or recording
- Plugin/Source Process: Plugins or sources like overlay packs may run separately
- Audio Mixer Process: Mixes system/microphone/audio sources for output
- Utility/Background Tasks: Background checks, updates, and licensing tasks
Is xsplit-broadcaster.exe Safe?
Yes, xsplit-broadcaster.exe is safe when downloaded from official sources such as xsplit.com or splitmedialabs.com and installed via the official installer.
Is xsplit-broadcaster.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is NOT a virus. However, malware can masquerade with similar names. Always verify the file location and signature.
How to Tell if xsplit-broadcaster.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location:: Must be in C:\Program Files\SplitmediaLabs\xSplit Broadcaster\xsplit-broadcaster.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SplitmediaLabs\xSplit Broadcaster\xsplit-broadcaster.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
- Digital Signature:: Right-click the file → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show 'Split Media Labs' as the signer.
- Resource Usage:: Normal usage is 3-40% CPU during streaming and 100-1200 MB memory. Constant excessive usage when idle is suspicious.
- Behavior:: XSplit Broadcaster should only run while actively streaming or recording. Persistent background activity without user action warrants investigation.
Red Flags: If xsplit-broadcaster.exe is located in unusual folders (like AppData, Temp, or System32), runs when you aren't streaming, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan with antivirus. Beware of similarly named files like "xsplit.exe" from untrusted sources.
Why Is xsplit-broadcaster.exe Running on My PC?
xsplit-broadcaster.exe runs when you start a live stream or recording or when the app is configured to monitor sources and overlays in the background.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Broadcast or Recording: You are currently streaming or recording; the app must stay active to manage encoders, scenes, and outputs.
- Background Capture or Source Processing: Scene sources like game capture, window capture, or media sources run to keep the broadcast responsive.
- Auto-Start and Background Services: Startup tasks and services may launch to enable quick access when Windows starts.
- Overlay and Scene Transitions: Live overlays and transitions require ongoing processing between scenes.
- Hardware Encoding Tasks: GPU/CPU encoder tasks run to maintain stream quality, which can raise resource usage during streams.
Can I Disable or Remove xsplit-broadcaster.exe?
Yes, you can disable xsplit-broadcaster.exe. It's safe to close or stop streams, and you can prevent auto-start by disabling it in Windows startup or within the app's settings.
How to Stop xsplit-broadcaster.exe
- End Active Broadcasts: In XSplit Broadcaster, click Stop Streaming/Recording to end the session.
- Close the App: Use the app's Exit option or click the X button to close all windows.
- End Background Tasks: Open Task Manager, locate xsplit-broadcaster.exe, right-click and End Task.
- Prevent Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable XSplit Broadcaster.
- Pause Background Rendering: In XSplit Broadcaster Settings → Performance, disable background rendering if available.
How to Uninstall XSplit Broadcaster
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → XSplit Broadcaster → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → XSplit Broadcaster → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative streaming software: OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If xsplit-broadcaster.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Scenes or Sources Open: Limit the number of scenes and sources; close unused captures; remove heavy overlays.
- Resource-Heavy Encoding Settings: Lower resolution/bitrate or switch to software/hardware encoding based on your hardware.
- Unoptimized Hardware Acceleration: In Settings → Performance, toggle hardware encoding; test both modes for stability.
- Outdated XSplit Broadcaster Version: Update to the latest release to benefit from performance fixes and optimizations.
- Malicious Plugins or Sources: Disable or remove suspicious plugins or sources; run a malware scan if unexpected behavior occurs.
- Background Tasks Not Managed: Disable nonessential background tasks and close idle streams when not broadcasting.
Quick Fixes:
1. Quick Fixes:
2. 1. Open XSplit Broadcaster Task Manager (if available) to identify resource-heavy scenes
3. Reduce output resolution or bitrate in Settings → Output
4. Disable unnecessary sources or overlays in the broadcaster
5. Update XSplit Broadcaster to the latest version
6. Enable Hardware Encoding only if your GPU supports it and is stable
Frequently Asked Questions
Is xsplit-broadcaster.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate xsplit-broadcaster.exe from XSplit or Split Media Labs is not a virus. Verify the path is in C:\Program Files\SplitmediaLabs\xSplit Broadcaster\xsplit-broadcaster.exe and that the digital signature shows "Split Media Labs".
Why is xsplit-broadcaster.exe using so much CPU?
High CPU can occur during heavy encoding, multiple scenes, or high-resolution captures. Check active scenes, reduce output quality, and test hardware encoding vs software encoding.
Can I uninstall XSplit Broadcaster?
Yes. Use Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → XSplit Broadcaster → Uninstall, or Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → XSplit Broadcaster.
Can I disable xsplit-broadcaster.exe?
Yes. Exit the app to stop streaming, disable startup in Task Manager, and remove any scheduled tasks that auto-launch Broadcaster.
Where is xsplit-broadcaster.exe located?
The typical location is C:\Program Files\SplitmediaLabs\xSplit Broadcaster\xsplit-broadcaster.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\SplitmediaLabs\xSplit Broadcaster\xsplit-broadcaster.exe.
How do I update XSplit Broadcaster?
Open the app and choose Help → Check for updates, or download the latest installer from the official XSplit site and follow the prompts.