How-To

How to Lower Stream Quality in Twitch

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Is your Twitch stream buffering or pixelated? You may need to reduce the Twitch streaming quality to make it more stable. Here’s how.

Do you love watching your favorite streamers on Twitch, but you’re worried about your data usage? If so, you might want to consider lowering the stream quality on Twitch.

Lowering the stream quality can help you save data (especially on a metered connection) and avoid buffering issues. It can also reduce the strain on your CPU and GPU if you’re streaming yourself.

To help you, we’ll show you how to lower the stream quality on Twitch below.

How to Lower Stream Quality in Twitch on a PC or Mac

If you’re watching Twitch streams in your web browser, you can easily adjust the video quality settings via the website.

To lower Twitch stream quality on a PC or a Mac:

  1. Open your web browser, visit the Twitch website, and log in to your account.
  2. Open the stream that you want to watch.
  3. Click the gear icon in the bottom-right corner of the video player and select Quality.
    Set Twitch stream quality level
  4. Choose a lower-resolution option from the menu.
    Set Twitch Stream quality level
  5. You can also select Auto if you want Twitch to adjust the quality based on your network conditions automatically.

How to Lower Stream Quality in Twitch on Mobile

If you’re using the Twitch app on your Android or iOS device, you can also change the video quality settings during a stream.

To lower Twitch stream quality on mobile:

  1. Open the Twitch app and sign in to your account.
  2. Open the stream that you want to watch and tap on the screen to bring up the controls.
  3. On the stream, tap the gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
    Twitch mobile options button
  4. Choose a lower resolution option from the Quality Options section of the menu or select Auto for automatic adjustment.
  5. Tap Apply to confirm your choice.
    Twitch quality options menu on mobile

Your Twitch stream quality will change automatically. But if it doesn’t, exit the stream and reload it to see the quality update.

How to Lower Stream Quality in Twitch on a Console

If you’re watching Twitch streams on your PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, you can lower the stream quality using those devices’ Twitch apps.

To lower Twitch stream quality on a games console:

  1. Launch the Twitch app on your console and log in to your account.
  2. Select a stream that you want to watch and press X (PS), A (Xbox), or B (Switch) to open it.
  3. Press Options (PS), Menu (Xbox), or + (Switch) to access more options.
  4. Select Video Options and choose a lower resolution option from the menu.

The changes to your Twitch stream will appear immediately. If it doesn’t, back out of the stream and reload it to see the change happen.

Improving Your Twitch Streaming Experience

Lowering stream quality in Twitch can help you save data, avoid buffering issues, enjoy smoother gameplay, and reduce CPU or GPU strain when you’re streaming yourself.

Are you looking to get started on Twitch yourself? You’ll need to know what to look out for. For instance, if you want to support a streamer (or gain support yourself), you’ll need to know how Twitch donations work.

Regretting your Twitch name? You can change your Twitch username at any point (but only once every 60 days). Don’t forget to clip on Twitch to catch a record of some of your favorite moments on the platform.

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