How to Fix Fortnite Stream Lag SLOBS: A Complete Guide

by
An image of Fortnite characters to illustrate "Fortnite Stream Lag SLOBS"
Follow our step-by-step guide to identify the causes of Fortnite Stream Lag SLOBS and apply the solutions that will help you enjoy smooth gameplay and high-quality streaming

If you are an avid Fortnite player who enjoys streaming your gameplay, you have likely encountered issues with stream lag and FPS drops.

These issues can make the game unplayable and negatively impact the quality of your stream.

Fortunately, there are several solutions available to fix these problems.

In this article, we will explore the different causes of stream lag and FPS drops in Fortnite, as well as the various ways to fix them.

We will also discuss how to optimize your settings in Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS) to ensure smooth gameplay and high-quality streaming.

Contents show

What causes Fortnite stream lag and FPS drops?

Stream lag and FPS drops can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Poor internet connection: If your internet connection is slow or unstable, it can cause lag in both the game and your stream. This can be particularly problematic if you’re playing on servers that are far away from your location.
  • Overloaded CPU: When your CPU is working too hard, it can cause lag in both the game and your stream. This can happen if you have too many programs running in the background or if your CPU is outdated.
  • Outdated graphics driver: An outdated graphics driver can cause performance issues in Fortnite, including FPS drops and lag.
  • High temperature: If your computer is overheating, it can cause lag in both the game and your stream. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including inadequate cooling or clogged air vents.
  • Hardware limitations: If your computer’s hardware isn’t powerful enough to run Fortnite and SLOBS at the same time, it can cause lag in both the game and your stream.

Now that we have identified some of the common causes of stream lag and FPS drops, let’s explore some solutions to these issues.

Solution 1: Use a Fortnite-friendly VPN to fix Stream Lag SLOBS

Using a VPN that is optimized for gaming can significantly improve your Fortnite experience by reducing lag and ping.

Here is how to use a VPN to fix stream lag and FPS drops in Fortnite:

  1. Subscribe to a Fortnite-friendly VPN like ExpressVPN.
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your router or PC.
  3. Launch the VPN app and log in using your credentials.
  4. Select a VPN server close to your nearby Fortnite server.
  5. You can now play Fortnite without lagging.

Solution 2: Optimize Your SLOBS Settings

The next solution to fix Fortnite stream lag in SLOBS is to optimize your SLOBS settings.

Here is how you can do it:

Adjust Your Video Settings

  1. Open SLOBS and go to “Settings.”
  2. Click on the “Video” tab.
  3. In the “Output (Scaled) Resolution” section, select “1280×720.”
  4. In the “Common FPS Values” section, select “30.”
  5. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”

Configure Your Stream Settings

  1. In SLOBS, go to “Settings.”
  2. Click on the “Stream” tab.
  3. In the “Service” section, select “Twitch.”
  4. In the “Server” section, select the server closest to your location.
  5. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”

Set Up Your Audio Settings

  1. In SLOBS, go to “Settings.”
  2. Click on the “Audio” tab.
  3. In the “Desktop Audio” section, select “Default.”
  4. In the “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” section, select your microphone.
  5. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”

Optimize Your Internet Connection

  1. Close all other applications and programs that are using your internet connection.
  2. Use an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi.
  3. Contact your internet service provider to ensure that you have the recommended internet speed for streaming.

Solution 3: Update Your Graphics Driver

Another reason why you may be experiencing lag while streaming Fortnite in SLOBS is due to outdated graphics drivers. To fix this issue, you need to update your graphics driver. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Go to your graphics card manufacturer’s website.
  2. Download the latest graphics driver for your graphics card.
  3. Install the graphics driver.

Solution 4: Reduce Background Processes

If you have too many background processes running, it can cause lag while streaming Fortnite in SLOBS. Here’s how you can reduce background processes:

  1. Close all other applications and programs that are running.
  2. Press “Ctrl+Shift+Esc” to open the Task Manager.
  3. Click on the “Processes” tab.
  4. End any unnecessary processes by selecting them and clicking on “End task.”

Solution 5: Monitor your computer’s temperature

When your computer overheats, it can cause performance issues and lag while streaming or playing Fortnite.

To ensure that your computer is running at an optimal temperature, you can monitor it using software such as HWMonitor or Core Temp.

These tools allow you to check the temperature of your CPU, GPU, and other components in real-time.

If you notice that your temperatures are too high, you may need to clean your computer’s fans or invest in additional cooling solutions such as a new fan or liquid cooling system.

Solution 6: Upgrade your hardware

If you have tried all the solutions above and you are still experiencing lag while streaming or playing Fortnite, it may be time to upgrade your hardware.

Upgrading your computer’s components such as your CPU, GPU, RAM, or hard drive can significantly improve your computer’s performance and reduce lag.

However, hardware upgrades can be costly, so it’s important to consider your budget and the compatibility of your current system before making any upgrades.

Looking for some ways to make Streamlabs less laggy?

Here are some possible solutions.

1. Lower the quality of the game

Try lowering the quality of the game so Streamlabs has some breathing room to compose the frames of the encoder.

You can also limit the FPS or use V-sync.

2. Check your CPU usage

If you are using software x264 encoding, consider using a faster preset or start using hardware encoding (NVENC/AMD) and this will be less taxing your CPU to encode the stream.

3. Optimize your internet speeds

Make sure your upload speed is more than 8mb/s.

You can check your internet speed using speedtest.net.

4. Set bitrate limits

Make sure your stream bitrate is around 4000mbps. This is a safe rate for streaming in 720 and 1080p and also avoiding platform restrictions.

To change your video bitrate in Streamlabs, go to Settings and the ‘Output’ tab.

5. Use a hardware encoder

A hardware encoder is a dedicated device that can encode your video stream without using your CPU power.

This can reduce the lag and improve the quality of your stream.

Some common hardware encoders are Nvidia NVENC and AMD VCE.

6. Avoid display capture

Display capture is a method of capturing your entire screen, which can be very resource-intensive and cause lag.

Instead, use game capture or window capture, which only capture the specific game or application you are streaming.

7. Scale your canvas resolution

Canvas resolution is the resolution of your Streamlabs preview window, which can affect the performance of your stream.

If your canvas resolution is too high, you can lower it to match your output resolution or lower.

To change your canvas resolution in Streamlabs, go to Settings and the ‘Video’ tab

8. Change your in-game graphics

Sometimes, the lag can be caused by the game itself, especially if it has high graphics settings that demand a lot of CPU and GPU power.

Try lowering some of the graphics options in Fortnite, such as shadows, anti-aliasing, textures, etc., to see if it improves your stream quality.

I hope these tips help you make Streamlabs less laggy and enjoy streaming!

Conclusion

If you are an avid Fortnite player who streams your gameplay, you may have experienced stream lag and FPS drops, negatively impacting both your gameplay and stream quality.

There are various reasons why this may occur, including poor internet connection, overloaded CPU, outdated graphics driver, high temperature, and hardware limitations.

Fortunately, there are several solutions available to fix these problems, including using a Fortnite-friendly VPN, optimizing SLOBS settings, updating graphics drivers, reducing background processes, monitoring your computer’s temperature, and upgrading your hardware.

It is important to consider budget and compatibility before making any hardware upgrades.

Additionally, lowering the quality of the game or checking CPU usage may also improve Streamlabs performance.

By implementing these solutions, you can enjoy smooth gameplay and high-quality streaming of your Fortnite experience.

FAQs

1. Why is my game lagging while I’m streaming on SLOBS?

There are several reasons why your game may be lagging while you’re streaming on SLOBS.

Some of the most common causes include poor internet connection, outdated graphics drivers, insufficient hardware, and SLOBS settings that are not optimized for your computer.

2. Do I need to upgrade my computer to fix Fortnite lag?

Upgrading your computer can help fix Fortnite lag if your computer’s hardware is outdated or insufficient.

However, there are several other solutions you can try before resorting to a hardware upgrade.

3. How do I optimize my SLOBS settings?

To optimize your SLOBS settings, you can adjust your video, stream, and audio settings to match your computer’s capabilities.

You can also reduce background processes and monitor your computer’s temperature to ensure that it’s running at an optimal temperature.

4. What is a Fortnite-friendly VPN?

A Fortnite-friendly VPN is a virtual private network that allows you to connect to a server that is located closer to your nearby Fortnite server, reducing lag and improving your gaming experience.

5. Can I fix Fortnite lag without a hardware upgrade?

Yes, you can fix Fortnite lag without a hardware upgrade.

You can subscribe to a Fortnite-friendly VPN, optimize your SLOBS settings, update your graphics driver, reduce background processes, and monitor your computer’s temperature.

References

  1. Reddit
  2. Fortnite
  3. Streamlabs
  4. Speednet

If you are a fan of Fortnite and looking for more troubleshooting tutorials, be sure to check out my other articles on the topic.

I have covered a wide range of issues and solutions related to the game, from technical problems to gameplay tips and tricks.

Whether you are a seasoned player or just getting started, my articles can help you improve your Fortnite experience and overcome any challenges you may encounter.

So, if you want to stay up to date with the latest Fortnite news and learn more about how to get the most out of the game, be sure to follow the links to my other articles.