How to Reconnect a Twitch Account After a Reset

Is this your situation?

The short answer

Before you start

• Check your stream key A stream key is reset each time the account password is changed.Verify: Open the Creator Dashboard under Settings icon -> Stream.
• Check connected apps Access and refresh tokens can become invalid if the user changes their password.Verify: Review Connections Settings for apps showing errors.
• Check any guest or authorized streamers Refreshing a stream key changes it for the account holder only and does not invalidate Authorized Streamers.Verify: Confirm your co-streamer's key still works.

How Twitch handles this

• Access and refresh tokens can become invalid if the token expires.
• Access and refresh tokens can also become invalid if the user changes their password.
• When a token becomes invalid, a new access token must be obtained using the appropriate flow for the app.
• A stream key is reset each time the account password is changed, to protect account details.

Step by step

1. Confirm the reset happened Check whether your password or 2FA was recently changed.Confirm: Check Security Settings for a recent password change date.
2. Get your new stream key A stream key can be retrieved from the Creator Dashboard under Settings icon -> Stream.Where: Creator Dashboard → Settings → StreamConfirm: Check the Stream Key field for a new value.
3. Enter the key in your encoder A software encoder such as OBS or Twitch Studio requires a stream key.Confirm: Check your encoder's stream settings for the saved key.
4. Check that the key gives the encoder permission to stream A stream key gives the encoder permission to stream to a Twitch account.Confirm: Check that your encoder connects and shows a live preview.
5. Check connected app tokens Access and refresh tokens can become invalid if the user changes their password.Confirm: Check Connections Settings for a disconnected or errored app.
6. Reauthorize the app When a token becomes invalid, a new access token must be obtained using the appropriate flow for the app.Confirm: Check the app's own sign-in screen for a successful connection.
7. Check third-party platforms not listed in Recommended Connections Connections to third-party platforms not listed in Recommended Connections are managed entirely by the third-party platform.Confirm: Check that platform's own settings for its Twitch connection.If this fails: Twitch Support cannot help with those connections.
8. Confirm guest access still works Refreshing a stream key changes the key for the account holder only and does not invalidate any Authorized Streamers.Confirm: Check with any authorized streamer that their key still connects.

Common mistakes

• Entering the old stream key The old key stops working once the password changes.Why it happens: A stream key is reset each time the account password is changed.
• Expecting a disconnected app to reconnect by itself The app's token does not refresh on its own after a password change.Why it happens: Access and refresh tokens can become invalid if the user changes their password.
• Sharing the new stream key with others to fix the tool faster Sharing a stream key with anyone else could compromise the channel.Why it happens: Broadcasters should never share their stream key with anyone.
• Contacting Twitch Support about an unlisted third-party platform Support cannot assist with those platforms.Why it happens: Connections to third-party platforms not listed in Recommended Connections are managed entirely by the third-party platform.Already happened: See reconnecting connected accounts if reconnecting still fails.

Roles at a glance

Keeping track of who has access