How to Set Up Elgato Stream Deck On-Screen Display

The Elgato Stream Deck has become an essential tool in the arsenal of streamers, content creators, and productivity enthusiasts. With its customizable LCD keys and extensive integration options, it enables users to operate their digital workflows more efficiently. One underutilized but powerful feature is the on-screen display capability, which allows actions and feedback to appear directly on your monitor. This article provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to setting up the Elgato Stream Deck On-Screen Display (OSD) with precision and reliability.

TLDR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)

The On-Screen Display (OSD) feature of the Elgato Stream Deck allows visual feedback or interactive options to appear on your monitor as you use the device. To set it up, you need the Stream Deck software, third-party plug-ins, and proper configuration. It enhances user experience by offering dynamic overlays for actions and feedback. Follow our detailed guide below to implement it effectively and securely.

What Is the On-Screen Display Feature?

By design, the Stream Deck’s primary functionality relies on its physical LCD buttons. However, an additional layer of control and feedback can be added through an On-Screen Display (OSD). This feature can include anything from a volume meter, audio-visual alerts, dynamic popups, or customizable overlays that provide status information right on your screen.

While Elgato does not provide native OSD support directly through its main software suite, a growing ecosystem of plug-ins and third-party tools fills that gap. This makes the setup slightly more technical than setting up basic key bindings but provides significantly enhanced interactivity across gaming, streaming, and productivity platforms.

Prerequisites for Setting Up Stream Deck OSD

Before diving into the setup, ensure you have the following tools and settings in place:

• Elgato Stream Deck device (any model with software version 5.0 or higher)
• Stream Deck Software, available from Elgato’s official website
• Operating System Compatibility – Windows 10 or macOS 10.13 and above recommended
• Third-Party Plugins – such as BarRaider’s Super Macro, StreamControl or Advanced Launcher
• Overlay software (optional) – e.g., OBS Studio if being used in streaming environment

Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up On-Screen Display

1. Install and Launch Stream Deck Software

If you haven’t already, download the latest version of the Stream Deck software from the official Elgato website and install it.

Once installed, connect your Stream Deck device to a USB port. The software should recognize your device automatically, and you should see the default button layout panel.

2. Install Required Plugins

Elgato Stream Deck has a plug-in store accessible directly from within the app. You’ll need to install one or more plugins that support OSD functionalities. Recommended options include:

• Super Macro – Provides scripting and text overlay tools
• StreamControl – Offers live screen metrics, overlays, and browser-based interactions
• Advanced Launcher – Useful for launching complex scripts including OSD elements

To install, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Stream Deck software
2. Click the ‘Plugins’ icon (grid icon on the top-right)
3. Search for the desired plugin and click “Install”

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3. Configure an OSD Action

Once your plugins are ready, configure a button to launch an OSD.

For example, using the Super Macro plugin:

1. Drag a Super Macro action into a button slot
2. In the Macro field, enter a command like:
   MSGBOX::"Stream Starting Soon!"
   This will pop up a message box when you press the button.

If you’re using overlay tools with OBS Studio:

1. Create a new Scene in OBS with your overlay graphic or text element
2. Link the Stream Deck button to switch to that Scene
3. This will display the OSD content through your streaming layout temporarily

4. Create Custom Overlays

To make your OSD look professional, you can create transparent images (PNGs), GIFs, or even HTML overlays and trigger them with command scripts.

For Windows OS, using PowerShell or AutoHotkey scripts can also support temporary pop-ups that act like native OSDs. Set one of your Stream Deck buttons to a script that launches the overlay and minimizes automatically.

For macOS, AppleScript offers comparable functionality through pop-up dialogues and UI scripting.

5. Test Your Setup

Now that you’ve set up at least one on-screen display action, it’s vital to test your configuration in a real-world use case.

• Press your configured button
• Check that the desired text, image, or overlay appears on screen
• If using in OBS, confirm it’s broadcasting or captured in screen recordings as expected
• Ensure the OSD disables itself or disappears after a reasonable time

Troubleshooting Tips:

• If OSD elements don’t appear, ensure scripts are not being blocked by antivirus software
• Check that monitor overlays are not being hidden behind fullscreen applications
• Try running the Stream Deck software in administrator mode to avoid permissions issues

Best Uses for Stream Deck OSD

The On-Screen Display capability is especially useful in several key scenarios:

• Streaming: Display “Be Right Back” or “Starting Soon” banners
• Gaming: Show current FPS or system metrics as overlays
• Productivity: Receive on-screen reminders or task lists during meetings
• Audio/Video Workflows: Live volume meters or plugin activations via overlay

Security and Performance Considerations

When using third-party tools and scripts, it’s essential to maintain a secure environment.

• Only download plugins from trusted developers or the official Elgato plugin library
• Always review scripts for unknown content or excessive permissions
• Keep your Stream Deck software and firmware updated regularly

Conclusion

Setting up the Elgato Stream Deck On-Screen Display capability takes a bit more effort than plug-and-play functionalities, but it significantly uplifts your workflow and visual feedback mechanisms. Whether for streaming, gaming, or productivity, adding this feature transforms your Stream Deck into not just a button console, but an intelligent companion. With the right configuration and safety considerations, you can unlock a new dimension of interaction and control.

As the Elgato software ecosystem continues to evolve, future updates may streamline this process further. Until then, mastering OSD through plugins and overlays is a powerful way to rise above the basic utility of programmable keys and into a more integrated user experience.