How to Add Spotify to Streamlabs (2 Proven Ways)

Can I directly add Spotify to Streamlabs and play music during live streaming?

The short answer is yes, but with important limitations.

Because of Spotify’s DRM protection and copyright restrictions, not all music can be freely used in live streams. While you can technically connect Spotify to Streamlabs, the experience depends heavily on the type of music you play and your Spotify plan.

In general, there are two main ways to add Spotify to Streamlabs and play Spotify music on Streamlabs:

• Official method (Window Capture) – Quick and easy, but may include ads and copyright risks depending on the music source
• Local file method – More stable and flexible, allowing ad-free playback with full control over your music

In this guide, we’ll walk you through both methods step by step so you can choose the best way to integrate Spotify into your streaming setup.

Method 1. Add Spotify to Streamlabs via Window Capture (Official Way)

Before you start adding Spotify audio to Streamlabs, there is an important note you need to know first. That is to ensure that the Spotify track you use is copyright-free. Due to DRM protection, Streamlabs only allows you to stream copyright-free Spotify songs owned by you or licensed to you during the live streaming. Using copyrighted songs without permission might bring you unnecessary legal risks.

Fortunately, Spotify provides a lot of copyright-free tracks that can be used directly. You can enter "royalty-free music" to search for these songs on Spotify. Then you can add them to Streamlabs for streaming. Follow the below instructions to add Spotify to Streamlabs.

Step 1: Make sure you have Spotify and Streamlabs installed on your computer.

Step 2: Open Spotify and play a copyright-free music.

Step 3: Open the Streamlabs app and click on the icon in the main interface.

Step 4: Select the "Window Capture" tab and you can add sources in a new window.

Step 5: Select "[Spotify.exe]: xx" and click the "Finish" button.

Step 6: Resize Spotify to the desired location on your screen.

Through the above operations, Spotify widgets can be added to Streamlabs and played during streaming. If you are worried about not being able to play, you can test it before going online. Also, to repeat, this method works for all Spotify music though. However, copyrighted music has risks of infringement, so please use it with caution.

Method 2. Add Spotify Playlist to Streamlabs Without Ads (Best Way)

While the Window Capture method is quick and beginner-friendly, it comes with several limitations that can affect your streaming experience, such as ads, connectivity issues, and potential copyright risks.

If you want smoother playback, full control over your music, and a completely ad-free experience, a more reliable solution is to convert Spotify tracks into local files and add them to Streamlabs directly.

This is where TuneFab Spotify Music Converter becomes especially useful. It is a powerful tool designed to help you process Spotify DRM removal and download Spotify music into local audio files like MP3s/FLACs that can be used freely in any streaming setup.

With TuneFab, you can easily play local music on Streamlabs without relying on Spotify playback, ensuring an ad-free, more stable and professional live streaming experience.

TuneFab also offers a built-in Spotify web browser, so you can complete the download task within a few steps in this one-stop software.

Step 1: Download and launch TuneFab Spotify Music Converter, then log in to your Spotify account.

Step 2: Browse or search for the playlist or song you want to download and hit the "Add to Convert" button.

Step 3: Select the output format you want in "Convert Now". It's recommended to choose MP3 which brings good quality without large file sizes.

Step 4: Now you get a DRM-free MP3 playlist. Open Streamlabs and click on the ‘+’ icon in the Sources tab. Import downloaded music in MP3 or other formats into Streamlabs.

Spotify Streaming Tips for Streamlabs (Avoid Issues)

To ensure a smooth and professional live streaming experience, it’s important to avoid common issues when playing Spotify music in Streamlabs. The following tips can help you prevent interruptions, audio problems, and potential risks.

Avoid Copyright Strikes

Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to muted streams, demonetization, or even account penalties on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

• Use royalty-free or licensed music from Spotify
• Avoid streaming copyrighted tracks unless you have permission
• Consider using locally stored music files for better control
• Keep background music at a lower volume to reduce detection risks

Fix Spotify Not Playing in Streamlabs

If Spotify audio is not playing or not captured in your stream, try these quick fixes:

• Make sure Desktop Audio is enabled in Streamlabs settings
• Check that Spotify is playing through the correct output device
• Re-add the audio source or Window Capture source
• Restart both Spotify and Streamlabs
• Update audio drivers and ensure no other app is blocking sound capture

Optimize Audio Quality for Streaming

Good audio quality can significantly improve your viewers’ experience

• Use high-quality audio files (recommended: 320kbps)
• Balance music and microphone volume to avoid overpowering your voice
• Enable audio filters like noise suppression or gain in Streamlabs
• Test your stream audio before going live to ensure clarity and consistency

FAQ About Spotify on Streamlabs

Which is Better: Streamlabs or OBS

It all just comes down to the needs of the user. OBS Studio focuses on customization and open-source features. This makes it a popular choice for advanced users. It is lightweight, versatile, and powerful, but it might be challenging for beginners.

Streamlabs, on the other hand, is more user-friendly in terms of the design of the interface. Hence, it is the first option for any newbie streamer. Its easy setup process along with many inbuilt features streamlines the streaming workflow.

All in all, Streamlabs is a great choice if you're new to streaming or prefer an all-in-one solution. For experienced users looking for customization features, OBS Studio may be a better choice.

How to Set Up Streamlabs App

Setting up the Streamlabs app is quick and easy. Follow the steps below to do so.

1. Download and install Streamlabs.

2. Then log in with your streaming platform account (e.g. YouTube).

3. Once logged in, it will automatically suggest the best streaming settings.

4. Next, you need to add a source to the scene, such as a webcam. Do a test to make sure everything is ready.

How to Put Spotify Overlay on Stream?

To show a Spotify overlay (now playing widget) on your stream in Streamlabs, you can use the Window Capture feature:

• Open Spotify and start playing a track
• In Streamlabs, click the “+” icon to add a new source
• Select Window Capture and choose the Spotify window
• Resize and position the overlay on your stream layout

For a cleaner look, you can also use third-party Spotify widgets or browser-based overlays.

Can I Play Spotify on Streamlabs Without Premium?

Yes, you can play Spotify on Streamlabs without a Premium subscription. However, free accounts include ads and do not support offline playback.

To remove these limitations, you can use TuneFab Spotify Music Converter to download Spotify songs as local files and play them in Streamlabs without ads or interruptions.

Why Does Spotify Have Ads on Streamlabs?

Spotify ads appear because you are using a free Spotify account. Ads are built into Spotify’s free tier and will play automatically between tracks, even during streaming.

To avoid ads, you can upgrade to Spotify Premium or use a local playback solution instead.

Can I Use Spotify Music on Twitch or YouTube Streams?

It depends on the copyright status of the music. Most Spotify songs are protected by copyright and cannot be used in livestreams without proper licensing.

Using copyrighted music may result in muted audio, copyright strikes, or demonetization on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

To stay safe, use royalty-free music or properly licensed tracks.

What Is the Best Audio Source for Streamlabs?

The best audio source depends on how you add Spotify music:

• Desktop Audio: Captures all system sounds, including Spotify. Easy to set up but less control over individual audio sources
• Media Source: Plays local audio files (e.g., MP3). Offers better stability and control, especially for ad-free playback

For the best experience, using Media Source with locally saved music is recommended.

Final Words

So, how to add Spotify to Streamlabs the right way? It really depends on what kind of streaming experience you want.

If you just need a quick setup, the Window Capture method lets you instantly play Spotify music on Streamlabs with no extra tools required. However, it comes with limitations like ads, unstable playback, and copyright restrictions.

If you want a professional, stable, and completely ad-free streaming experience, converting Spotify music into local files is the better long-term solution. Tools like TuneFab Spotify Music Converter make it easy to download Spotify playlists, remove playback interruptions, and use them directly in Streamlabs.