The Ultimate Live Streaming Checklist to Ensure Smooth Streaming

If you’re a regular live streamer, you’ve likely run into some type of issue during a live stream. Maybe it was a problem with the social media platform you were streaming to, maybe your internet connection was weak, or maybe you had an issue with your equipment, like your mic or camera.

With so many moving parts involved in a live broadcast, issues are bound to happen, especially if you don’t take the time to properly prepare before going live.

Whether you’re an experienced streamer or just getting started, this ultimate pre-live stream checklist will help you ensure smooth, successful, and problem-free streams.

✅ Restart all devices and equipment 

Restarting devices like iPhones, iPads, laptops, and computers before your live stream can help improve performance. Restarting clears RAM (random access memory), helping your devices run faster and more efficiently.

If you also haven’t rebooted your router in a while, it’s worth doing, especially if your upload speed has been slower than usual. A router reboot can improve your internet connection stability, which is critical for a strong stream.

✅ Test your internet connection

Before going live, test your internet connection. Conducting a speed test will help you determine if your network can handle the quality of your stream. We recommend using Speedof.me or the built-in speed test in the Switcher app.

Once you have your internet speed test results, be sure to select the stream quality that best fits with your internet speed.

Our stream quality recommendations are based on minimum upload speeds:

• 270p (Low): 1.5 Mbps upload

• 360p (Medium): 2 Mbps upload

• 540p (High): 2.5 Mbps upload

• 720p (HD): 6 Mbps upload

• 1080p (Full HD): 12 Mbps or higher upload

Your live streaming bitrate affects stream quality, with higher bitrates generally resulting in better quality but also requiring more bandwidth. For Switcher, audio bitrates are recommended to be up to 128kbps, while video bitrates depend on the desired resolution and available upload speed.

✅ Charge your live streaming devices 

It might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget. Make sure all devices you’re using to stream — phones, tablets, laptops — are fully charged. Even if your stream will be short, you don’t want to risk a dead battery.

Keep your chargers and outlets within reach during your live event in case you need to quickly plug in mid-stream.

✅ Check your storage space

Recording your live stream for repurposing later? Be sure your device or cloud storage has enough available space. Live video files can be large, so check storage availability before going live.

✅ Test all live streaming gear

Your gear is the backbone of your live stream. Whether it’s cameras, mics, lights, or tripods — test everything ahead of time to avoid surprises.

✅ Run a mic and camera test

Few things are more important to a successful live stream than your microphone and camera. So be sure to conduct a quick mic and camera test before your stream to make sure everything looks and sounds clear.

• For mobile devices, record a short video

• For desktops, use QuickTime or a similar tool

✅ Check your lighting setup

Lighting is another crucial factor in the success of your live stream. After all, what’s good video content if your audience can’t see you?

Make sure your lights are working, and position them to avoid harsh shadows or overexposure. Natural lighting can also work well — just be sure to test it out before going live.

✅ Eliminate background distractions

Before you go live, take a minute to tidy up your background. Remove clutter, check for distracting movement (like pets or ceiling fans), and make sure anything in frame supports your brand or message. A clean, intentional background helps your content stand out and keeps the focus where it should be — on you.

✅ Prepare your talking points

Live video feels authentic because it’s unscripted, but that doesn’t mean you should wing it. Create a bulleted list or a loose outline of talking points. It will help you stay on track while still providing that unscripted experience that your viewers want to see.

✅ Keep water nearby

No one wants to have cottonmouth while speaking to a live virtual audience, and you wouldn’t want to risk any of your viewers leaving the live stream because you had to excuse yourself to grab a drink from another room.

Do yourself a favor and keep your beverage of choice next to you during your live stream, just in case you end up needing a drink.

✅ Get in the right mindset

Match your energy and mood to your content. For example, if you’re teaching yoga, a calm demeanor works best. If you’re hosting a product launch, bring the excitement! 

Whatever your content is, do what you need to get mentally prepped before going live. That could include stretching, listening to music or a podcast, doing a quick workout, reading a book, dancing, drawing, etc.

✅Ask others to avoid high-bandwidth activities 

Sharing a space with others? Let anyone on your network know when you’ll be streaming. Ask them to pause large downloads or streaming activities like Netflix or gaming during your live broadcast — it’ll help preserve your internet bandwidth and keep your stream quality high.

✅ Set up a test stream 

Especially when trying a new location, platform, or live streaming equipment setup, test streams are your best friend. They allow you to troubleshoot in private before showtime. You can set up private test streams on Facebook, or you can create private unlisted streams on YouTube.

We recommend running a test stream 30 minutes before going live. That should give you enough time to run your test and make any necessary adjustments.

✅  Send the test link to remote guests

If you're using Switcher and featuring remote guests, send them a test stream link. This gives them time to adjust their lighting, check their camera and mic, and troubleshoot any connection issues so everything runs smoothly when it’s time to go live.

✅ Turn on Do Not Disturb mode

Notifications and calls can interrupt your stream and distract your audience. Put your devices in Do Not Disturb mode before you go live to stay focused and professional.

✅ Mute your computer

Last but not least — if you’re monitoring your stream on a desktop or laptop, mute your computer to avoid hearing playback or creating an echo. It’s a small fix that makes a big difference for audio clarity.

📥 Download the live stream checklist 

Want a printable version of this checklist? Download our ultimate live streaming checklist and keep it handy before going live. After all, being prepared means you can focus on what really matters: connecting with your audience. Let this checklist do the heavy lifting so you can go live with confidence every time!

Ready to start live streaming? Try Switcher free for 14 days and start creating professional, polished streams with ease — no experience required.