Why Is My OBS Lyrics Overlay Not Updating?

Confirm Chrome already has lyric state

If the StreamLyric view in YouTube Music is empty, this is not an Overlay-update bug. Use the missing-lyrics guide first.

When Chrome is moving and OBS is frozen, the Browser Source is holding an old page, an old URL, or a slower transport.

Check for an old or revoked Overlay URL

Each plan allows 1 active link. Scene collections, duplicated PCs, and old screenshots keep dead URLs around. A revoked credential cannot fetch the current state.

Do not paste the key into a public ticket. Compare the OBS URL privately with the current account link, then replace it if they differ.

Free polls every 8s; Trial and Pro use WebSocket first

Free Overlay access uses periodic polling at 8 seconds. A line can lag by about that interval even when everything is healthy.

Eligible trial or Pro access uses a WebSocket first and can fall back if the socket drops. Neither mode is zero latency, and neither fabricates timing for plain text.

Refresh the Browser Source before deleting it

A refresh reloads the page and keeps crop, position, and size. Deleting the source throws those away and still fails if the URL is revoked.

If a refresh is not enough, replace the URL, then recreate the source only after you have recorded its transform.

Step-by-step setup

1. 01
   Prove the Chrome lyric view is moving

   If YouTube Music has no lines, stop. This article is for a frozen Overlay, not a missing source.

2. 02
   Compare the OBS URL with the current unrevoked link

   Replace scene-collection leftovers. Do not share the key while comparing.

3. 03
   Wait one Free poll (8s) or check WebSocket access

   A Free Overlay that updates a few seconds late can be working as designed.

4. 04
   Refresh the Browser Source once

   Keep the transform. Recreate the source only after refresh and URL replacement fail.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides