My laptop's built-in webcam doesn't produce good Twitch streams. Which equipment should I upgrade for better video quality?

If the built-in webcam on your laptop isn't giving you good enough video quality for your Twitch streams, here are some things you can do to fix it:

• Change the webcam settings:

Begin by making your webcam settings work better. Change settings like brightness, contrast, and color balance until you get the best result.
• Improve lighting:

Having the right lighting can make video quality much better. Make sure you have enough light, and if you want to be more visible on the stream, think about using external lighting sources.
• Test the quality of the microphone:

Even though the stream is mostly about video, good sound quality is also very important for keeping people interested. Check the quality of the microphone and think about getting a new one if you need to for better sound quality.
• Look into your past:

A background that is too busy or distracting can take away from the overall look. Keep your background clean, and if you want to draw more attention to your stream content, think about using a neutral background.
• Bring your tech up to speed:

If you want to record, edit, and encode videos, the high-end hardware that is suggested—a 12-core Intel or AMD CPU, 32GB of RAM, GeForce RTX graphics, and an SSD—is more valuable. Even though it has nothing to do with the webcam, upgrading your laptop's hardware could help it stream and handle higher-quality video more smoothly.
Before buying new gear, you should carefully think about what the built-in webcam on your laptop can and can't do. If the hardware on your laptop isn't up to par for streaming, you might want to look into external webcams with better image sensors and higher resolutions. Getting a separate microphone and the right lighting gear can also make the quality of your Twitch streams better overall.

We're eager to hear your thoughts—share them with us in the comments.