RTMP is a powerful feature of Altar Live that allows direct streaming and multi-casting. To be able to do this, an Event using RTMP is set up and run a little differently. If your RTMP stream is not correctly connecting, try following these troubleshooting steps.
RTMP Live Troubleshooting Steps
- Refresh Altar Live in your browser - sometimes a fresh start in the browser is all you need!
- Check your internet connection. You may also want to check your internet speed for any temporary slow-downs or outages.
- Double-check your stream URL and key. Well-intentioned streaming software sometimes adds additional characters to stream URLs and keys (sort of like spell-check but for streaming).
- Stop the stream, and wait at least 30 seconds before starting it again. Once it’s started, don’t stop it again for at least another 30 seconds. Starting/stopping the stream too quickly will break the connection.
RTMP Setup Troubleshooting Steps
Events using RTMP are set up and run a little differently. If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, here are a few setup steps to consider:
- Make sure the event is published > 5 minutes before the event start time. This helps ensure the server is ready to receive the broadcast. We also recommend not starting the stream early in by using the red "Go Live" button in the Auditorium.
- Begin the Livestream feed 2~3 minutes before the event start time. This makes sure the event begins with the feed already connected.
- Double-check your stream URL and key. Well-intentioned streaming software sometimes adds additional characters to stream URLs and keys (sort of like spell-check but for streaming). Make sure both the stream key and URL in your software matches the stream key and URL you copied during event creation.
- Reset your livestream studio software's settings and/or re-install. In some rare cases, there may be a setting or cached info blocking the connection. Consider making sure your software is up to date, resetting your software's streaming settings, or re-installing your software entirely.
RTMP Optimization
RTMP is a very powerful form of streaming, but the same features that make it powerful also make it resource-intensive. If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, or you’re looking to improve your stream’s connection, here are some optimization tricks:
- Reduce your FPS. If you're experiencing connection issues, you may want to try reducing your FPS (frames per second) to 30 -even if your livestream software claims it can handle 60fps (this may require turning off your software's fps auto-adjustments). Higher frame rates require a ton of resources and bandwidth, and unless you are streaming a high-precision activity (such as gaming), the difference is minimal.
- Reduce your target bitrate. While your streaming software will automatically adjust your bitrate dependent on the connection, attempts to send a live feed at too high of a bitrate may cause the connection to slow or fail. Consider lowering your software's target bitrate (this may mean overriding it's auto-detection).
- Close background processes that may be taking bandwidth or memory. You'll want at least 5 Mbps upload speed for live streaming itself - any other online programs such as Bible apps, email, etc. take precious bandwidth and will require higher speeds to run alongside your stream. Consider closing any of these programs and tabs that are non-essential.
Even if a program or process does not use an internet connection, it can slow your computer down and interrupt your live stream. Consider completely closing any programs or processes that are non-essential while streaming (on Windows you can do this with the Task Manager, on Apple, you can use the activity monitor).
- Use a more stable form of connection. Wi-Fi is a convenient and fast solution for internet connection. However, Wi-Fi networks often encounter imperceptible network drops. Usually, these drops are so fast you wouldn't notice it while browsing the internet, sending messages, or even watching videos. However, these short drops can interrupt your stream, regardless of how fast your connection is. If you have high-speed internet and are still having issues with your stream disconnecting, consider connecting your computer to your router using a tethered ethernet connection. Ethernet cables are inexpensive, easy to use, and are generally considered a staple for professional streaming, gaming, etc.
RTMP Troubleshooting FAQs
I had to stop my stream suddenly, why won't it re-connect?
Rapidly stopping/starting a stream can cause miscommunication between your livestream and the server. If you absolutely must stop/start a livestream, try waiting at least 30 seconds before either stopping and/or starting it again (even if nothing appears to change). This helps ensure smooth communication between your streaming software and the server.
Why will my livestream software not connect to Altar Live?
Here are some troubleshooting tips you can use if your livestream software is giving you error messages or not showing that it is connected to Altar Live:
- Check your internet connection. This step might seem simple, but it's essential. Double-checking your current internet speed can also help you diagnose whether or not you're experiencing a temporary internet outage or lull that could be blocking the connection.
- Double-check your stream URL and key. Well-intentioned streaming software sometimes adds additional characters to stream URLs and keys (sort of like spell-check but for streaming). Make sure both the stream key and URL in your software matches the stream key and URL you copied during event creation.
- Reset your livestream studio software's settings and/or re-install. In some rare cases, there may be a setting or cached info blocking the connection. Consider making sure your software is up to date, resetting your software's streaming settings, or re-installing your software entirely.
My livestream software says it's connected, but I don't see the stream in Altar Live?
If your livestream software indicates it's connected to the Altar server, but the stream is not appearing in Altar Live, please try these troubleshooting steps:
- Refresh the page. Sometimes a simple page refresh is all the stream needs to be viewed on your device.
- Reduce your FPS. If you're experiencing connection issues, you may want to try reducing your FPS (frames per second) to 30 -even if your livestream software claims it can handle 60fps (this may require turning off your software's fps auto-adjustments). Higher frame rates require a ton of resources and bandwidth, and unless you are streaming a high-precision activity (such as gaming), the difference is minimal.
- Reduce your target bitrate. While your streaming software will automatically adjust your bitrate dependent on the connection, attempts to send a live feed at too high of a bitrate may cause the connection to slow or fail. Consider lowing your software's target bitrate (this may mean overriding it's auto-detection).
- Restart the connection. We recommend avoiding this if possible, but if you do turn the stream off and on again, be sure to wait at least 30 seconds before each disconnect and reconnect.
- Publish the event at least 5 minutes before going live, and begin sending the livestream feed 2 minutes before the countdown ends. For the smoothest experience, events must be published at least 5 min before the start time set in event creation, and the livestream feed must be sent before the event begins (3-2 minutes before is a good target). For RTMP events, we also recommend not starting the stream early in by using the red "Go Live" button in the Auditorium. Following these guidelines helps to ensure that the server begins listening for and distributing the livestream at the appropriate time.
Why is my stream randomly stopping/disconnecting?
RTMP is a very powerful form of streaming, but the same features that make it powerful also make it resource-intensive. If your stream is randomly stopping, you can try the following steps to stabilize the connection:
- Close background processes that may be taking bandwidth or memory. You'll want at least 5 Mbps upload speed for livestreaming itself - any other online programs such as Bible apps, email, etc. take precious bandwidth and will require higher speeds to run along side your stream. Consider closing any of these programs and tabs that are non-essential.
Even if a program or process does not use an internet connection, it can slow your computer down and interrupt your livestream. Consider completely closing any programs or processes that are non-essential while streaming (on Windows you can do this with the Task Manager, on Apple you can use the activity monitor).
- Use a more stable form of connection. Wi-Fi is convenient and fast solution for internet connection. However, Wi-Fi networks often encounter imperceptible network drops. Usually these drops are so fast you wouldn't notice it while browsing the internet, sending messages, or even watching a videos. However, these short drops can interrupt your stream, regardless of how fast your connection is. If you have high-speed internet and are still having issues with your stream disconnecting, consider connecting your computer to your router using a tethered ethernet connection. Ethernet cables are inexpensive, easy to use, and are generally considered a staple for professional streaming, gaming, etc.
- Reduce your FPS. If you're experiencing connection issues, you may want to try reducing your FPS (frames per second) to 30 -even if your livestream software claims it can handle 60fps (this may require turning off your software's fps auto-adjustments). Higher frame rates require a ton of resources and bandwidth, and unless you are streaming a high-precision activity (such as gaming), the difference is minimal.
- Reduce your target bitrate. While your streaming software will automatically adjust your bitrate dependent on the connection, attempts to send a live feed at too high of a bitrate may cause the connection to slow or fail. Consider lowing your software's target bitrate (this may mean overriding it's auto-detection).
What do I do if I see the last few seconds of an old feed?
If you see the last few seconds of an old feed while attempting to send a new one, please re-fresh the Altar Live page before trying any further troubleshooting steps.
If you absolutely must stop/start the livestream, try waiting at least 30 seconds before either stopping and/or starting it again (even if nothing appears to change). This helps ensure smooth communication between your streaming software and the server.
Want to learn more about taking your RTMP stream to the next level? Check out our support article about using OBS with Altar Live!
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