What the Stream Deck On-Screen Display does

The Stream Deck On-Screen Display (sometimes called On-Screen Control) is a software feature that shows your Stream Deck buttons on your computer screen instead of only on the physical device. When you enable it, a window appears on your monitor that mirrors your Stream Deck layout, and you can click those buttons with your mouse just like you would press them on the hardware.

This is useful if your Stream Deck is positioned where you can't see it easily, if you're streaming from a laptop without room for the device, or if you want a backup way to trigger actions when your hands are full. The on-screen buttons work exactly the same way as the physical buttons — they run the same commands and show the same visual feedback.

Key Takeaways

  • The On-Screen Display is built into the Stream Deck software and turns on in the app settings, not through a separate download.
  • You must have the Stream Deck app installed and running on your computer for the on-screen display to appear.
  • The on-screen window can be resized, moved, and set to stay on top of other windows so it doesn't get buried during streaming.
  • Buttons on the on-screen display respond to mouse clicks with the same speed and reliability as physical button presses.

Install and open the Stream Deck software

Before you can use the on-screen display, you need the Elgato Stream Deck app running on your computer. If you haven't installed it yet, go to the Elgato website, find the Stream Deck software download, and run the installer for your operating system (Windows or Mac). Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Once installed, open the Stream Deck app. You should see your Stream Deck device listed in the left sidebar if it's connected via USB. If you don't see it, unplug the USB cable, wait five seconds, and plug it back in. The app may take a moment to recognize the device.

Enable the On-Screen Display in settings

Open the Stream Deck app and look for the settings icon — it's usually a gear symbol in the top right or bottom left of the window. Click it to open the settings panel. Look for an option labeled On-Screen Display, On-Screen Control, or Show On-Screen Control depending on your app version.

Click the toggle or checkbox next to that option to turn it on. The on-screen display window should appear on your screen immediately, showing a grid of buttons that matches your Stream Deck layout. If nothing appears, close the settings panel and check your taskbar or the bottom of your screen — the window might have opened off to the side.

Resize and position the on-screen window

The on-screen display window can be resized by dragging its edges or corners, just like any other window on your computer. Make it larger if the buttons are hard to click, or smaller if you want it to take up less screen space. The buttons will scale proportionally as you resize.

Drag the title bar of the window to move it wherever you want on your screen. Many streamers position it in a corner or along the edge so it's visible but doesn't cover the main content they're streaming. Right-click the window title bar to see options like "Always on Top" — enabling this keeps the on-screen display visible even when you click on other windows.

Test the buttons and adjust your layout

Click one of the on-screen buttons to test it. It should respond the same way as pressing the physical button — if it's set to launch a program, the program should start; if it's set to change a scene in OBS, the scene should change. The button will show visual feedback (usually a highlight or press animation) when you click it.

If a button doesn't work, go back to the Stream Deck app and check that the action is properly configured for that button. The on-screen display is just a mirror of what's on your physical device, so if the button doesn't work on-screen, it won't work on the hardware either. Make any changes you need in the main app, and the on-screen display updates automatically.

Keep the app running during streaming

The Stream Deck app must be running in the background for the on-screen display to work. If you close the app, the on-screen window closes too. Before you start streaming, make sure the app is open and the on-screen display window is visible and positioned where you want it.

If you minimize the Stream Deck app, the on-screen display window stays open as long as you enabled "Always on Top" in the window settings. If you didn't enable that option and you minimize the app, the on-screen window might disappear behind other windows. You can always re-enable "Always on Top" by right-clicking the window title bar.

Troubleshooting common issues

If the on-screen display won't turn on, restart the Stream Deck app completely — close it and open it again. If it still doesn't appear, check that your Stream Deck device is connected via USB and recognized by the app. Unplug it, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in.

If the buttons on the on-screen display don't respond to clicks, make sure the Stream Deck app is in focus (click on it) and try clicking the button again. If buttons still don't work, check that the actions are configured correctly in the app settings. If the on-screen window keeps disappearing, enable "Always on Top" so it stays visible while you're working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the on-screen display without the physical Stream Deck connected?

No. The on-screen display is a mirror of your physical Stream Deck, so the device must be connected via USB and recognized by the app. If you unplug the device, the on-screen display stops working.

Does clicking the on-screen buttons cause any delay compared to pressing the physical buttons?

There is no meaningful delay. Mouse clicks register as fast as physical button presses, so the on-screen display is just as responsive for triggering actions during streaming.

Can I customize the size and appearance of the on-screen buttons?

You can resize the entire window, which scales all the buttons together. You cannot change individual button sizes or the overall appearance of the on-screen display itself — those are determined by your Stream Deck model and the app design.

What happens to the on-screen display if my Stream Deck loses USB connection?

The on-screen window will close or stop responding. Reconnect the USB cable to restore the connection, and the window will reappear or become responsive again.

Can I move the on-screen display to a second monitor?

Yes. Drag the window to your second monitor just like you would any other window. This is useful if you have a multi-monitor setup and want to keep the Stream Deck controls on a separate screen from your main streaming content.