The test takes up to about 15 seconds and uploads some test data, which is thrown away. Your result isn't saved: it stays in your browser.
What the number means
| Under 80 ms: | excellent. Your stream gets to the server quickly. |
| 80 to 150 ms: | fine for streaming. |
| Over 150 ms: | streaming still works. A wired connection, or a spot closer to your router, usually helps more than anything else. |
The number is the time a message takes to reach the server and come back. It changes a little from test to test, so if it looks high, run it again before changing anything.
What the quality check means
Your stream is one continuous upload, so this check uploads over a single connection to the same server, the way OBS does. It stops as soon as it knows the answer, so it doesn't measure your full internet speed, only whether it's enough.
| 720p: | about 4 Mbps of upload or more. |
| 1080p: | about 8 Mbps or more. |
| 4K: | about 15 Mbps or more. This only shows what your connection could carry. It isn't a recommendation to stream in 4K. |
These include some headroom, because home upload speeds dip during the evening and Wi-Fi varies. Our OBS settings guide explains which bitrate to choose for your result.
How to improve a weak result
- Use a cable. Plug your computer into the router with an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi is the most common reason a stream struggles.
- On Wi-Fi, use the 5 GHz network if your router has one, and stream from a spot close to the router.
- Test at the time you usually stream. Home connections are often busier in the evening.
- If 1080p isn't ticked, stream in 720p. A steady 720p picture looks better than 1080p that keeps dropping frames. Our guide to fixing dropped frames goes through the rest.
If the test can't reach the server
A VPN, a work or school network, or a strict firewall can block it. Try again without the VPN. If it still fails, sign in and open Help from the dashboard menu, and we'll take a look. If a VPN is the only way you can reach the cam sites from where you are, test with it switched on as well, because that's the route your stream would take.
FAQ
- Is Wi-Fi OK for cam streaming?
- Often, yes, if the signal is strong where you stream. A cable is more reliable, so if the test shows a weak result on Wi-Fi, try it again with a cable plugged in.
- Does it matter which country the server is in?
- No. The test connects to the server nearest you, which is the one your stream would use, and what matters is how quickly it answers. Your viewers watch on the cam sites, and the sites deliver your stream to them wherever they are.
- Do I need to test before every show?
- No. Test when you first set up, when you move rooms or change your router or internet plan, or if your stream starts dropping.
- Can I run it on my phone?
- Yes. It then tests the phone's own connection, which is what counts if you use your phone as a webcam. If you broadcast from your computer, in the browser or with OBS, run it there instead.