How to Set a Stream Delay in OBS to Prevent Stream Sniping (2026 Guide)

In the PUBG Asia Stars 2026 case, KRAFTON admitted it did not make a broadcast delay mandatory, to keep the event interactive. After Day 1 it had to add a delay for the remaining matches.

The rulebook had only recommended that personal streamers “set a reasonable delay to avoid information exposure”, adding that players “bear full responsibility” for any risk from livestreaming. See the rulebook analysis.

This guide helps streamers protect themselves: from being exploited by opponents, and from being accused of receiving outside information.

How a delay works

A stream delay holds your broadcast for a set time before sending it to the platform. Set 180 seconds, and viewers see what was on your screen three minutes ago.

In a battle royale, positions and rotation plans from three minutes ago are usually stale. Your stream then becomes almost useless to opponents.

A delay protects against: opponents or others watching your stream to learn your position (see what is stream sniping).

A delay does not protect against:

• viewers watching the undelayed tournament feed and messaging you in chat;
• outside contact via Discord or direct messages.

Those need chat management and personal discipline, covered below.

Setting Stream Delay in OBS Studio

1. Open OBS Studio → File → Settings.
2. Select the Advanced tab.
3. Find the Stream Delay section.
4. Tick Enable.
5. Enter Duration in seconds, for example 180 for three minutes.
6. Optionally tick Preserve cutoff point when reconnecting. It keeps the cut point accurate after a disconnect but may lengthen the delay.
7. Click Apply → OK, then start streaming as usual.

Technical notes:

• The delay applies only to the live stream. Local recordings are not delayed.
• A long delay uses more memory, because OBS buffers that much output.
• When you stop the stream, OBS sends the remaining buffered content, so check before shutting down.
• Test first with a private stream to measure the real delay, which is your delay plus the platform’s own latency.

How many minutes?

• Organizer rules come first. If the organizer sets a delay, use it or longer.
• Without a rule, choose a delay long enough that on-stream information is stale by the time viewers see it. In a battle royale that usually means minutes, not a few seconds.
• A long delay reduces chat interaction. That is the price of competing, and you can explain it to viewers at the start of the stream.

A note on platform latency settings

YouTube offers normal / low / ultra-low latency modes. These control the technical latency of the stream; they are not an intentional anti-leak delay. For competition, use OBS Stream Delay and a normal latency mode on the platform.

Some platforms have their own delay settings. Check the official documentation for the platform you use.

Protecting your chat during matches

The Asia Stars case shows that your own chat is also a channel that can bring information into a match. To reduce the risk:

• Do not look at chat during matches. Close or minimise it, and hide the chat overlay from your game screen.
• Enable slow mode and block keywords such as opponents’ names, map locations or “they’re at”.
• Use moderators to delete position spoilers immediately, and announce a “no position calls” rule at the start.
• Never open the tournament stream or anyone else’s stream on any screen during play, including a second monitor. A screenshot of an open window was enough to cause controversy at Asia Stars.
• Use only the official team voice channel when the event requires it. Asia Stars required Discord voice and a facecam.

Pre-match checklist

• OBS Stream Delay is enabled, at or above the organizer’s requirement.
• A private test stream has confirmed the real delay.
• The chat overlay is hidden from the game screen.
• Slow mode, blocked keywords and moderators are in place.
• All other stream tabs and windows are closed.
• You have read the rulebook and every Discord notice. The PUBG Asia Stars rulebook gives Discord notices the force of rules.
• You have saved proof of your setup, such as a screenshot of the delay settings, in case of disputes.

Why this matters

The general lesson from PUBG Asia Stars 2026 is this: even when an organizer does not mandate a delay, the player still bears the consequences. Sanctions can go as far as a permanent ban, as in the Himass & TanVuu case.

A few minutes of setup before a match is the cheapest way to protect both a career and a tournament’s fairness.