If you’ve spent hours setting up your perfect TikTok Live Studio stream only to see the same stubborn message — “Unlock display capture by going LIVE for 25 minutes” — you’re not crazy.
You did go live. For way more than 25 minutes. Maybe you even did it twice. Still, the feature stays locked. No display capture. No GoPro camera. No virtual cam. Just… confusion.
You’re not the only one facing this.
This isn’t just an annoying message. For creators running multi-stream setups — especially those juggling Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok — this glitch flat-out kills productivity. If your Streamlabs or OBS workflow depends on virtual camera access, TikTok Live Studio’s locked settings will leave you stuck.
But there’s a fix — or at least, a few solid workarounds.
TL;DR
- TikTok Live Studio has a common bug where features like Display Capture, GoPro, and Virtual Camera remain locked even after fulfilling the 25-minute stream requirement.
- Reinstalling TikTok Live Studio alone isn’t enough — you likely need to update to the newest version.
- Some creators report success only after downloading the update manually — not just waiting for TikTok to push it.
- If you’re running multi-stream software like Streamlabs, the locked Virtual Camera is probably what’s blocking your integration.
- TikTok support takes ages to respond, so most fixes are coming from Reddit threads — not official help channels.
The Bug That Won’t Budge
You stream. You hit the 25-minute mark. You get excited… and then?
“Display Capture still locked.”
The glitch seems to reset your eligibility status or not track your streaming time properly. Even worse, some creators reported that none of their scenes or sources were preserved after relaunching the app.
We’ve seen multiple creators try every possible trick:
- Logging in and out
- Switching accounts
- Reinstalling the app
- Streaming again for even longer
Nothing works — until the app prompts them for a manual update.
The Update Trick That Does Work
Here’s the move: instead of reinstalling TikTok Live Studio, go to the official TikTok download page and grab the latest version manually.
Some users report the app won’t auto-update, even when a newer version is available. But downloading directly triggers the unlock mechanism for Display Capture, GoPro cam, and dual layout support.
Once updated:
- Restart your PC
- Open Live Studio and double-check for feature unlocks
- Try a short 5-minute test stream
In most cases, creators found that after updating manually, the 25-minute block lifted immediately.
Still Locked? Try This Combo Setup
If you’re using Streamlabs, OBS, or another multi-stream tool, TikTok’s restrictions on virtual camera access might be jamming your whole system.
Here’s what one Redditor did to bypass it:
- Use Streamlabs for your main stream setup
- Run TikTok Live Studio in parallel, without using the Virtual Cam option
- Capture your display via Capture Card instead — if available
It’s a messy workaround, but until TikTok fixes the core bug, it’s the only way some creators are managing cross-platform streams.
Deleted & Reinstalled? Here’s Why It Didn’t Work
Reinstalling often resets your scenes and removes progress, but doesn’t trigger the feature unlock. That’s because the app may pull from cached or outdated versions.
So if you’ve already tried reinstalling — and nothing’s changed — check for an update. Go straight to TikTok’s support site or trusted sources, and redownload the latest installer.
Don’t rely on in-app update prompts.
The Real Problem: TikTok’s Support Is Useless
You’ve probably reached out.
You probably got an auto-response.
You probably waited days — or never heard back at all.
Sadly, TikTok support for Live Studio issues has been notoriously slow and unhelpful. That’s why this thread and other Reddit posts are full of “still no fix” updates.
If you’re hoping for official resolution? Don’t hold your breath. Your best bet right now is staying on top of updates and checking TikTok forums or Discords regularly.
Final Take: Your Best Move Right Now
If TikTok Live Studio’s core streaming features are still locked, here’s the checklist:
- Manually update the app to the latest version
- Avoid reinstalling unless you’re also deleting old config files
- Restart your PC after updating
- Use capture cards or native streaming setups to bypass the locked Virtual Cam
- Don’t wait on support — check Reddit, Discord, or YouTube for community fixes
And if you’re looking to streamline your content system beyond TikTok Live Studio? Use Blaze AI to automate your weekly content schedule, and Systeme.io to build a monetization funnel that doesn’t rely on TikTok’s buggy backend.
Because streaming shouldn’t be this complicated in 2025 — but here we are.
