Timer in Streamlabs Desktop: countdown and subathon with the selected application

Countdown before the start or subathon?

Don't choose an add-on based solely on the appearance of the numbers. A clock that looks similar can measure recording time rather than extending the countdown after subscription. Read the mode description before installation.

Countdown before the start or subathon?
Need	What to look for
"We're about to get started" scene	Normal countdown mode.
Measuring the length of a task	Counter increasing from the beginning.
Time added by viewers	Subathon mode and handling of required events.
Continues after scene change	Expected source behavior when hidden.

A dictionary without difficult abbreviations

A dictionary without difficult abbreviations
Concept	What does this mean in practice?
Scene	Ready-made image layout: e.g. a game with a camera or a break board. The scene you choose determines what you show.
Source	One scene component: game, camera, text, audio, or page with overlay. The order of sources determines what covers what.
URL	Full web address. Copy it using the button in the panel; do not copy fragments and do not add spaces.
Event	New information from the platform, such as a message, observation or gift. The appearance test is not always an actual event.
Resolution	The width × height of the area, e.g. 1920 × 1080. This is different than shrinking the source rectangle with the mouse.

Step by step · 1–4

Action
Open Streamlabs Desktop and write down the name of the scene you are using.
✓ After this step you will see
You know where you will add the timer.
Action
Open the App Store or the widget catalog available in your version.
✓ After this step you will see
The list of tools is visible.
Action
Search for timer or countdown.
✓ After this step you will see
The results are for the countdown.
Action
Read the description of the selected application: price, requirements, platforms and installation method.
✓ After this step you will see
You don't assume that every app is free.

**Streamlabs: Search for timer applications. Before installation, check current availability, features and possible cost.**Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: Streamlabs · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Step by step · 5–8

Action
Install the selected tool only after checking the description.
✓ After this step you will see
The new application appears in the program.
Action
Open its configuration and set the test to 5 minutes.
✓ After this step you will see
You see 05:00 or equivalent format.
Action
Select countdown if the app offers multiple modes.
✓ After this step you will see
Time is supposed to decrease.
Action
Set the behavior at zero and check if there is an automatic restart.
✓ After this step you will see
The ending won't surprise you during LIVE.

**Streamlabs: timer application settings. The available controls depend on the selected application.**Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: Streamlabs · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Step by step · 9–12

Action
Save your application settings.
✓ After this step you will see
After reopening it is the same starting time.
Action
Add the application as a source according to the manufacturer's instructions or copy its URL.
✓ After this step you will see
There is a timer on the stage, not a shop window.
Action
Move the source over the game and adjust the size.
✓ After this step you will see
All numbers are visible.
Action
Start and pause the countdown.
✓ After this step you will see
You know the basic controls.

**OBS: Browser source properties. This is where the widget's URL and its width and height go.**Actual screenshot from official documentation. The version and language of the program may be different from yours.Photo source: OBS Project · Source verified: 2026-10-27

Step by step · 13–14

Action
Do a zero trial on a short value.
✓ After this step you will see
You know what the end looks like.
Action
If you want a subathon, check the handling of time adding events separately.
✓ After this step you will see
A regular timer is not automatically a gift or subscription timer.

An example you can reproduce

The countdown time is 05:00, which will stop after zero. Subathon additionally requires event reception and a time addition rule. First, check the specific app's description to see if it can do this; the name timer itself does not guarantee this.

Path through the App Store

Store descriptions and availability may vary. If the specified add-on is not on your account, select an available variant with the necessary mode and follow the instructions of its author. Field names inside add-ons do not have to be common.

Open the App Store in Streamlabs Desktop or the official store website.
Search for the timer and read the add-on description, e.g. Stream Timer from GhostlyTuna if available.
Check the required plan and access conditions. Don't assume that every add-on is free.
After installation, use the app's option to add to a scene.

Set up a short test scenario

The five-minute example allows you to quickly watch the entire series. Later, change it to the value needed for the event. Make a note of whether you want the clock to be independent of scene switching so that it doesn't reset unexpectedly when you return.

Select countdown mode and set a few minutes.
Adjust the font, color and size of the numbers.
Start, pause, and resume the timer if the selected application provides these controls.
Check what resetting and reopening the scene does.

Separate attempt at adding time

In subathon mode, select only events supported by a specific timer. Check the units, added time and possible platform connection. A regular timer will not gain these capabilities by changing the title itself.

Test one rule and record the expected gain. Then check the pause and the result after reactivating the scene. Only after confirming the action, set target values and rules for the event.

Alternate path: widget address

Do not paste the address of the entire management panel instead of the widget address. The full panel may require a login and contain elements you don't want to show to viewers.

Prepare a timer that provides your own embeddable address.
In Streamlabs Desktop sources, add Browser Source and paste the correct URL.
Adjust the dimensions and position.
Monitor the counter in its provider's dashboard and see if the source shows the same status.

Rehearsal of the entire scene

Rate timer with target background, camera and music. A long time with hours takes up more space than a short example with just seconds. Also check the contrast after reducing the scene to the size of your phone.

Record the start, pause and end sequence. If the timer is to play a sound, confirm its single presence in the output. Keep your configuration after a successful attempt instead of editing several add-ons at once.

What do you see on the screen and how to fix it

Fix one thing at a time and try the same thing again. If you change several options at the same time, it will be difficult to determine what solved the problem. Don't delete a working source or entire configuration just because one widget isn't responding.

If you still need help, write down the program name and version, platform, approximate time of trial, expected result, and what actually happened. Attach a dump without passwords, keys and full private links. This description is much more useful than just the "not working" message.

What do you see on the screen and how to fix it
Symptom	Check first	Do it
There is no application indicated	Change of directory, system or availability	Search for a current tool and compare its author's instructions.
The timer restarts with the scene	The source is reinitialized	Check application and source activation options.
Subscriptions don't add time	The selected timer does not support such events	Check the features, platform and trigger rule.
The numbers are cut off	Area too small or cropping	Increase the source area while maintaining the aspect ratio.

Last attempt before use on LIVE

Save the changes using the button assigned to the edited function. If there are separate forms, check each changed part separately.
Open the settings again and compare the most important values. Simply moving the slider does not always mean a permanent save.
Check the result outside the editor itself: on the target scene, in the recording, or in the reopened configuration.
If the function uses the platform, separately acknowledge the new handled event during the active LIVE. Don't expect the appearance test to confirm account authorization.
Save the working values and make a copy before the next major change. Next time you start up, start with a quick check.

Before you go live

The correct add-on and mode have been selected.
Access conditions confirmed.
The clock behaves correctly after changing the scene.
Subathon reactions underwent a separate test.
Reopened settings retain the saved values.
A single attempt is confirmed on the target output.

Frequently asked questions

Does every timer have a subathon?

NO. Check the modes and events described by the author of a specific application.

Does the App Store mean a free add-on?

Not always. Please check the access conditions and required plan for the selected application.

Where to control a timer added via URL?

In the widget provider's panel, according to its instructions. The browser source itself displays its status.

What should I do if my screen looks different than the photo?

Check the program name, version and selected feature. The dump is real, but it's from a specific edition and language. Search for a described field by its task. If the option is not available, check the current official support and availability in your account.