Stream Deck “waiting for OBS” Fixed

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FatedsChronicles 20 January 2025
1 Comment
Stream deck“waiting for obs”

The Elgato Stream Deck is a powerful tool for streamers, offering seamless control over your live streams and various other applications. However, updates to OBS Studio can sometimes break the connection between the two, causing frustration among users. If you’ve ever encountered the dreaded “waiting for OBS” issue with your Stream Deck after an OBS update, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the steps to update and install the Elgato Stream Deck plugin in OBS Studio. This includes detailed instructions for both regular and portable versions of OBS Studio, along with insights into a new plugin I’ve created to simplify the process.

For an additional visual walkthrough, be sure to check out my YouTube video on the subject: Stream Deck & OBS Plugin Fix: Giving You Back Control!!.

Understanding the Issue

After an OBS Studio update, many users encounter the infamous “waiting for OBS” or “ring of death” issue with their Elgato Stream Deck. While this problem is often resolved for those using a standard OBS installation, portable OBS users face extra hurdles. The solution requires manually reinstalling the Stream Deck plugin and placing its components in the correct folders.

To address these challenges, I’ve built a plugin for OBS Studio that simplifies the installation and updating process for the Elgato Stream Deck. But before diving into this plugin, let’s first explore the manual method to ensure you understand every step of the process.

Manual Installation of the Elgato Stream Deck Plugin

Step 1: Download the Stream Deck Software

  1. Visit the Elgato website and navigate to the “Downloads” section in the top-right corner.
  2. Select the appropriate Stream Deck software version for your device and download the MSI installer (currently ver. 6.8.1).
  3. Run the installer and complete the installation process.
  4. Open OBS Studio and locate the Elgato Stream Deck Plugin under the Tools menu.
  5. Check the current versions:
    1. OBS Plugin Version: 5.5.3.1
    2. Stream Deck Plugin Version: 2.2.8

If you’re using a standard OBS installation (which is located in C:\Program Files\OBS Studio, this process may be all you need to reconnect your Stream Deck to OBS Studio. However, for portable OBS users, additional steps are required, if your install is on a different drive.

Step 2: Access Hidden Folders

  1. Close OBS Studio.
  2. Open your C: drive and locate the ProgramData folder. If you don’t see it, enable hidden items:
    • In File Explorer, go to “View > Show” and make sure “Hidden items” is checked
  3. Inside the ProgramData folder, navigate to OBS Studio > plugins.

Step 3: Locate and Copy Plugin Files

  1. Open the StreamDeckPlugin located at ProgramData > obs-studio > plugins > StreamDeckPlugin> bin > 64bit folder within the plugins directory.
  2. Locate the following files:
    • StreamDeckPlugin.dll
    • StreamDeckPlugin.pdb
  3. Copy these two files.

Step 4: Paste Plugin Files into OBS

  1. Open your portable OBS Studio directory.
  2. Navigate to the OBS > obs-plugins > 64bit folder.
  3. Paste the copied files into this folder.

Step 5: Handle the Data Folder

  1. Go back to the original Stream Deck plugin folder under ProgramData.
  2. Navigate to the data folder, at ”ProgramData > obs-studio > plugins > StreamDeckPlugin > data” which contains the following items:
    • A folder named local
    • Files: StreamDeckPluginQt6.pdb and StreamDeckPluginQt6.dll
  3. Copy the local folder and those 2 files only.

Step 6: Create and Populate the Plugin Folder

  1. In your portable OBS Studio directory, navigate to the obs-plugins folder at obs-studio > data > obs-plugins obs-plugins.
  2. Create a new folder named StreamDeckPlugin (use capitalized letters for “S,” “D,” and “P”).
  3. Paste the copied local folder and the 2 files into this new folder.

Step 7: Verify the Installation

  1. Launch your portable OBS Studio.
  2. Navigate to the “Tools” menu, where you should now see “Elgato Stream Deck.”
  3. Check the current versions:
    1. OBS Plugin Version: 5.5.3.1
    2. Stream Deck Plugin Version: 2.2.8
  4. Open the Stream Deck settings to confirm the connection and ensure the “waiting for OBS” issue has been resolved.

Simplifying the Process with the FatedsChronicles Plugin

While the manual method outlined above works, it can be tedious and time-consuming—especially for portable OBS Studio users. To address this, I built a custom plugin for OBS Studio that streamlines the installation and updating process for the Elgato Stream Deck.

Key Features of the Plugin

  • Automated Installation: The plugin installs the Stream Deck files and folder to the correct locations maintaining the folder structure.
  • Simplified Updates: No more navigating through hidden folders or manually copying files—the plugin handles everything for you.
  • User-Friendly Interface: A straightforward copy & paste, ensures the process is quick and easy, even for beginners.

How to Install the Plugin

Step 1: Download the Plugin

Screenshot 2025 01 20 142015
  1. Visit FatedsChronicles.com and create an account.
  2. Once an account has been verified come back to this post.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of this post and publish any comment and refresh the page.
  4. You will now have a notification.
  5. Click the notification and the Stream Deck plugin will download
  6. If you get an error message click Download

Step 2: Install the Plugin

  1. Extract the downloaded zip file.
  2. Copy the data and obs-plugin folders.
  3. Navigate to your top level OBS Studio folder, (you should see the following folders
    1. bin
    2. config
    3. data
    4. obs-plugin
  4. Paste the two previously copied folders here.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

  1. Launch OBS Studio.
  2. Check the “Tools” menu for the Elgato Stream Deck option.
  3. Confirm that your Stream Deck is connected and functioning correctly.

Tips for a Seamless Experience

  • Use a Plugin Manager: Install, Remove and update your plugins at the click of a button, without digging down in your folder structure.
  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly check for updates to OBS Studio, the Stream Deck software, and the FatedsChronicles plugin to ensure compatibility.
  • Back Up Your OBS Configurations: Before making major changes or updates, create a backup of your OBS Studio settings and scenes to avoid potential data loss.
  • Test After Installation: Always test your Stream Deck functionality after installing or updating the plugin to catch any issues early.

Conclusion

Updating and installing the Elgato Stream Deck plugin in OBS Studio doesn’t have to be a headache. Whether you prefer the manual method or the convenience of my StreamDeckPlugin, these steps will help you get your Stream Deck up and running smoothly.

If you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to check out my YouTube video on the topic for a step-by-step visual demonstration: Stream Deck & OBS Plugin Fix: Giving You Back Control!!

For more tips, tools, and plugins to enhance your streaming experience, visit FatedsChronicles.com. Stay tuned for more updates, and happy streaming!

Categories: Community, OBS Studio, Stream Deck, Streaming
Tags: , , ,

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