> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vox.bot/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vox.bot/connect-a-channel/youtube.md).

# Connect YouTube to VoxBot

Connect your YouTube channel to your VoxBot account, prepare a public live chat, set up TTS playback, and fix common YouTube connection problems.

Connecting your YouTube channel lets viewers use VoxBot commands in its live chat. The stream must be live and public before VoxBot can receive those messages.

{% hint style="info" %}
This guide assumes you have a VoxBot account and can sign in to the Google account you use to manage the YouTube channel.
{% endhint %}

## Connect your YouTube channel

1. If you manage more than one VoxBot account, select the correct one from the account menu in the top-left corner.
2. Open [Account](https://vox.bot/dashboard/account).
3. Find YouTube under the **Not Connected** section.
4. Select **Connect**.
5. Sign in to the Google account you use to manage the YouTube channel.

<figure><img src="https://99517040-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FRLilJ2T36zg40NjFQOt8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8324d8ca66278ae043dc11dba9e8c670c8ceb419%2Fvoxbot-youtube-google-sign-in.png?alt=media" alt="The Google sign-in page stating that sign-in will continue to VoxBot"><figcaption><p>The Google sign-in page confirms that you will continue to VoxBot after signing in.</p></figcaption></figure>

6. Review the Google consent screen.
7. Allow VoxBot read-only access to YouTube.
8. Wait for Google to return you to VoxBot.
9. Open **Account**.
10. Confirm that the correct YouTube channel appears under the **Connected** section.

<figure><img src="https://99517040-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FRLilJ2T36zg40NjFQOt8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-985df580be09d13ce414637b4053fa8f4e2b22f7%2Fvoxbot-youtube-connected.png?alt=media" alt="The connected YouTube row with a red outline around the channel name and connection controls"><figcaption><p>The connected row shows the YouTube channel name or handle, along with <strong>Reconnect</strong> and the disconnect control.</p></figcaption></figure>

Check the channel name or handle before you continue. If the wrong YouTube channel is connected, disconnect it and repeat the setup with the Google account you use to manage the correct channel.

## Start your YouTube live stream

Use your normal streaming setup. You can stream with OBS Studio, Meld, Streamlabs Desktop, another encoder, or YouTube's own tools.

1. Prepare your YouTube stream in the streaming software you normally use.
2. Set the stream visibility to **Public**. If your streaming software does not show this option, change the visibility on YouTube.
3. Make sure live chat is enabled for the stream.
4. Start the stream.
5. Wait until YouTube shows that the channel is live before you send a test command.

The stream must be public because VoxBot uses the public channel information to find the active live chat. VoxBot cannot find chat from a private stream. YouTube may also disable live chat because of certain audience or safety settings, so check the stream settings if the chat box is missing.

## Set up TTS playback

Before you test a message, add the VoxBot browser source to your streaming software. The browser source plays the generated voice in your stream and adds its audio to your mixer.

1. Open [Playback Settings](https://vox.bot/dashboard/tts/playback).
2. Find the **Browser Source** card.
3. Select **Copy**.
4. Add a browser source in your streaming software and paste the URL.

Follow [Send your first TTS message](/getting-started/first-tts-message.md) for the complete browser source and command test.

## Test YouTube chat

1. Send `!tts Hello stream` in the YouTube live chat.
2. Open [Message History](https://vox.bot/dashboard/tts/history).
3. Find the YouTube message under **Recent Messages**.

If the message appears without TTS, check the command spelling, **Status**, viewer permission, **TTS Enabled**, cooldowns, limits, and moderation settings.

If the message is missing, confirm that the stream is live and **Public**, and that live chat is enabled. Then check that the correct YouTube channel appears under the **Connected** section.

## Choose who can use each command

For a connected YouTube channel, the permission buttons on [Commands](https://vox.bot/dashboard/tts/commands) work as follows:

* **All** allows any viewer who can post in live chat.
* **VIP** allows viewers with a YouTube verified badge.
* **Sub** allows viewers with a channel member or sponsor badge.
* **Mod** allows viewers with a YouTube moderator badge.

A normal YouTube subscription is not the same as a paid channel membership. To test a members-only command, use **Sub** and send the command from an account with a member or sponsor badge.

## Reconnect YouTube

Select **Reconnect** if you removed VoxBot access from your Google settings, changed Google accounts, or stopped receiving YouTube messages.

1. Open [Account](https://vox.bot/dashboard/account).
2. Find YouTube under the **Connected** section.
3. Select **Reconnect**.
4. Sign in with Google again.
5. Approve read-only YouTube access.
6. Confirm the channel name under the **Connected** section.

Reconnect refreshes the YouTube connection. It does not remove your VoxBot commands, voices, or **Playback Settings**.

## Disconnect YouTube

1. Open [Account](https://vox.bot/dashboard/account).
2. Select the trash icon on the connected YouTube row.
3. Review the disconnect warning.
4. Select **Disconnect**.

<figure><img src="https://99517040-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FRLilJ2T36zg40NjFQOt8%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ee9ba1850c03334f4214a6e8e8f83850d571b507%2Fvoxbot-youtube-disconnect-warning.png?alt=media" alt="The YouTube connection removal warning with Cancel and Disconnect buttons"><figcaption><p>Selecting <strong>Disconnect</strong> stops VoxBot from receiving messages from that YouTube channel.</p></figcaption></figure>

Disconnecting removes the YouTube channel from your VoxBot account and removes VoxBot's Google access where possible. Your TTS configuration stays on your VoxBot account and is ready if you reconnect later.

## Troubleshooting

* **The wrong YouTube channel is connected:** Disconnect YouTube, then repeat the setup with the Google account you use to manage the correct channel.
* **This account is already connected to another VoxBot user.:** The YouTube channel is connected to another VoxBot account. Switch to that VoxBot account or remove its YouTube connection first.
* **The stream is live, but Message History is empty:** Make the stream **Public**, enable live chat, confirm the connected channel, and select **Reconnect** if needed.
* **The message appears without TTS:** The channel connection works. Check the command, viewer permission, limits, cooldowns, **TTS Enabled**, and moderation settings.
* **The message shows TTS, but you cannot hear it:** Check the browser source, active scene, and audio mixer in your streaming software.

## FAQ

<details>

<summary>Can VoxBot edit my YouTube channel?</summary>

No. The YouTube connection requests read-only access. VoxBot uses that access to identify the channel and find its active live chat.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Can VoxBot read chat from a private YouTube stream?</summary>

No. The stream must be **Public** so VoxBot can find its active live chat.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Why does the Sub permission not work for a regular YouTube subscriber?</summary>

On YouTube, the **Sub** permission checks for a paid channel member or sponsor badge. A normal channel subscription does not provide that badge.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Does disconnecting YouTube delete my TTS setup?</summary>

No. Disconnecting stops that YouTube channel from sending chat to VoxBot. Your commands, voices, moderation settings, and **Playback Settings** stay on your VoxBot account.

</details>

## Need help with YouTube TTS?

Email <support@vox.bot> or join the [VoxBot Discord](https://discord.gg/GtU5XqhRSq). Include the connected channel name, stream visibility, and what [Message History](https://vox.bot/dashboard/tts/history) shows.