Not being able to stream on Twitch from your Xbox can be a bothersome issue. It might even be one that needs immediate attention, particularly if you are committed to keeping a consistent and trusted streaming routine.
Identifying why you are unable to broadcast on Twitch can be difficult, as the problem can have a variety of causes, ranging from your internet connection to your account’s privacy settings.
This guide will help by covering everything you need to know and what you need to do to get your Twitch stream up and running flawlessly again.
Let’s take a look.
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Preventive Measures – General Troubleshooting
As mentioned above, the issue preventing you from streaming on Twitch via your Xbox could be caused by something as simple as your internet connection not performing as it should.
This is why we recommend reading all of the tips below before attempting any of the major fixes, as it could help you save a great deal of time.
- Ensure your Twitch account is linked to your Xbox account.
- Ensure you are not banned from Twitch and that your Xbox account is in good standing.
- Power cycle your device using the steps listed in the official Microsoft support guide.
- Re-link your account and delete your saved data by following the steps in one of our guides covering a similar Xbox-related problem.
- If you are connected wirelessly to the internet, try using a wired connection, as it will be more stable and better suited for streaming.
All of these suggestions are suggested by Twitch’s official article, taken from the Xbox Troubleshooting section, which you can find here.
If none of these tips help, it’s time to move on to the more specific fixes. Read on for more methods to resolve this issue.
Fix 1: Reinstall The Twitch App
This might sound like a very basic solution, but it could resolve any errors you encounter when trying to start a Twitch stream.
Here’s how to do it:
- Unlink your Xbox connection from your Twitch account using the Connections page.
- Open your Xbox menu and select the Twitch app from the My Games & Apps panel. Click Manage App and, under the Saved Data panel, select your Gamertag.
- Press the menu button and choose Delete Saved Data.
- Find the app in your list of installed apps, then press the menu button to open that app’s menu (in this case, Twitch). Select Uninstall from the list of options.
The final step is to re-download the app and install it again.
Reinstalling the Twitch app by following these steps will remove all your stored data, which can cause problems if it becomes corrupted. This process doesn’t take long, yet it can help you avoid frustration and wasted time.
This is why we recommend it as the first solution. If it doesn’t work, however, there are other methods you can try.
Fix 2: Modify Your Profile Settings To Allow Streaming
One of the main causes for not being able to stream on Twitch is due to incorrectly set profile preferences.
If you have been an Xbox user for a while, you’ve probably encountered these options before.
In essence, your security settings may prevent you from initiating a broadcast. This might be because your profile is set to offline mode, or your preferences are configured as though you are a juvenile.
Note: Twitch has an age restriction for streaming.
We have a helpful guide explaining how to solve the 0x20b31181 error by modifying your profile settings to allow streaming. Its step-by-step advice will help you configure all your preferences to avoid interference with your broadcast.
Fix 3: Clear Your MAC Address
On your Xbox controller, there is a button that you can use to open the Xbox Guide panel. This is the button with the Xbox logo, and we will use it to clear and reset your MAC Address, which should help you solve the problem preventing you from starting a Twitch broadcast from your console.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller. The guide on the left side of your screen will open. Cycle through the options and select the gear icon, which is a shortcut to the settings panel.
- Choose All Settings and select Network. Then, click Network Settings, followed by Advanced Settings.
- Select Alternate MAC Address, then Clear, and, finally, Restart.
- Your console will now restart.
Optional: After completing the fourth step, perform a power cycle by turning off your Xbox, unplugging it, and waiting for about a minute. You can then plug it back in and power up the console.
You can now stream on Twitch without any problems.
Fix 4: Ensure Broadcast Gameplay Is Turned On
A simple solution for broadcasting issues is to ensure the Broadcast Gameplay setting is turned on.
Here’s how you can do that:
- Go to your profile and select Privacy Settings. Choose Custom.
- On the panel, enable the Broadcast Gameplay setting.
Reboot your console and try to start broadcasting. It should now work if this setting was previously disabled.
It’s also worth noting that you cannot broadcast every game available for your Xbox console. Demos of games, for example, cannot be live-streamed.
You must also open the game before trying to stream, so ensure it is already running when you press broadcast.
Fix 5: Reset Your Stream Key
We usually can’t recommend resetting your Stream Key, as doing it often can put a hold on your account and prevent you from streaming for some time. Don’t worry too much, as this period is only about fifteen minutes for the first time, but it can increase if you overdo it.
Resetting your Stream Key is easy and doesn’t take much time. We also recommend checking your e-mail for any new messages from Twitch regarding your Stream Key, especially if you haven’t streamed in a while.
Twitch previously faced a security attack that forced the team to reset the Stream Keys for all its users. You can read more about it in this informative article published by the BBC.
Here is a simple video explaining how to reset your Stream Key in just a few clicks.
After resetting your Twitch Stream Key, you should be able to stream without any further issues, as the problem is often associated with it.
Conclusion
You now know how to restore your ability to stream on Twitch via your Xbox console.
Hopefully, you will be able to fix the issue using one of the methods listed above. If none of them work, you should consider contacting the Xbox support team.
