Could not Connect to server - Facebook Live (2025)

1. I do NOT use a persistent stream key for security reasons, so I grab a new stream key every service. And that isn't inconvenient, because I'm at that same /live/producer page anyway to act as Digital Usher
2. Have you double/triple checked the stream key on the Church account?
Are you logging on as Church account? or ? I log on using a separate FB account (again, basic security measure) that has permissions to stream as Church account (in /Live/Producer, I pick church account to interact as)

3. Are you sure some other computer doesn't have an open connection to FB using that existing stream key? like someone testing on another device, home, whatever...

Lawrence_SoCal said:

1. I do NOT use a persistent stream key for security reasons, so I grab a new stream key every service. And that isn't inconvenient, because I'm at that same /live/producer page anyway to act as Digital Usher
2. Have you double/triple checked the stream key on the Church account?
Are you logging on as Church account? or ? I log on using a separate FB account (again, basic security measure) that has permissions to stream as Church account (in /Live/Producer, I pick church account to interact as)

3. Are you sure some other computer doesn't have an open connection to FB using that existing stream key? like someone testing on another device, home, whatever...

Click to expand...

Hi Lawrence. Do you suggest re start some way the Facebook page of the church?

mortiz@ said:

Hi Lawrence. Do you suggest re start some way the Facebook page of the church?

Click to expand...

sorry, not sure what you are asking... I'm technical and some of what your wrote has specific technical meaning, which I'm sure you don't mean... so, not sure what you are asking

Another FB thread referenced some folks refreshing a browser page and that making a difference. without mentioning EXACTLY which page? anyway, assuming /live/producer page? again, this is Operating System issue (not OBS Studio) at that point (certificate refresh?). I do NOT typically apply Operating System (OS) updates on day of release (too risky, typically, with MS code testing limitations)... but I do within a week or so [not the case with critical zero-days, obviously]. I've seen folks taking the stable route of an isolated streaming computer (own VLAN, or behind router from rest of network) and NOT applying updates .. and that causes Internet communication issues as expected).

I'm still running on Win10 (Win11 being standard every-other PoS release from MS over last 25+ yrs). but OS is regularly updated, and in last 5 years, only had this issue a couple of times (and not recently). And when it did happen, FaceBook is not good about allowing a re-connection... (reset of connection, etc). was ugly... anyway... as I said, that was a while ago
yea, planning Win11 later this year... not looking forward to it... but other subject

Troubleshooting depends on stream type (not the CRITICAL distinction I made about NOT using a Persistent Stream Key)... these kinds of details make a difference on troubleshooting steps..

This is a problem I have also been having for over a month now. Also to note, this is happening at two different locations on two separate Facebook accounts in my situations. I get the same screenshot as the above post has mentioned. It took me nearly 45 minutes to get a stream to work this morning. I am the operations manager at a local cable access TV station and we have back to back live programming and 45 minutes to set up a live stream just isn't an option. I have no idea where the problem is originating. It could be one of three places that I can see the problem is. Could be all three. Browser problem, OBS problem or a Facebook Live problem...
I have always had Facebook Live problems as long as I have been using it. They never stay consistent, and are always changing things so in my opinion the problem is most likely on the Fcaebook end. I have done all the stream key checks and the the normal things to check MULTIPLE TIMES at both locations. If someone figures out the problems or a fix please post. I am using latest version of OBS, latest version of Firefox and latest version of drivers and typical software on both computers. W10 computer both locations

Thanks

As I noted on other recent FB thread.... for last month or two, FB clearly playing with /live/producer web page code (and back-end? and related pages) so issues with both FB /live/producer preview window and bitrate stats (stream, video, and audio).. been working/not working for a couple of months now.
With proper PC & browser care/mgmt (users don't have local admin rights, browser only InPrivate/Incognito mode, etc), we have rarely had issue connecting stream (my specific, more security oriented approach mentioned in other thread). With those security caveats and more, as much as it pained me, I gave up on 3rd party security software years ago. BUT I really know what I'm doing at OS level, and prioritize security over ease-of-use, and I've been fine

For an organization relying on livestreaming, the livestream computer should be in an isolated network segment, locked down, used ONLY for livestreaming, etc and *IF* right process/protocols in place, probably can be fine without 3rd party anti-virus s/w

for testing , use a Fresh OS install PC, no 3rd party (or corporate) security controls, OBS Studio fresh install, no plugins, minimal background/startup processes. If that works, that should give you a really good start on finding issue

I encountered this problem today in our live stream that there is no preview of video in Facebook Live after clicking "Start Streaming" in OBS
We panicked because there is no video in the browser side.
There is there is a delay in OBS in starting the stream and (maybe) there is also a delay in Facebook to display the video and/or recognize the stream key from OBS.

To correct the problem, we followed these steps:

Step 1: Verify the Stream Key in FB Go Live and in OBS should be the same.
We enabled the persistent stream key to make sure.

Step 2: Click the Start Streaming and Observe the Lower Right status in OBS.
[Delay (Countdown)] [Drop Frames 0 (0.0%)] [Speed in kbps]

Step 3: If there is an error in OBS,
Could not access the specified channel or stream key, please double-
check your stream key. If it is correct, there may be a problem
connecting to the server.

Perform Step 2 again.
If no error, Proceed to Step 4.

Step 4: If the OBS transmission speed (in Step 2) is greater than 1 kbps,
Click Refresh in the browser with Facebook Create Live Video.

The preview is displayed in the "Create Live Video" section, and the "Connect Video Source" is checked.

Thanks