CBR (constant bitrate) is the correct rate-control setting for live streaming. The alternative, VBR (variable bitrate), is correct for video-on-demand encoding but wrong for live. Streamers who leave the rate control at VBR see periodic bitrate spikes that exceed their connection's sustained upload, causing the same frame drops a too-high bitrate would cause.

The mechanism: CBR locks the bitrate at the value you set. The encoder sends exactly that bitrate every second, regardless of scene complexity. Live ingest servers expect this. VBR allows the encoder to send less data during simple scenes and more during complex scenes, which can briefly exceed your bandwidth ceiling.

The implementation: open OBS settings, output, encoder, find the rate control field, change to CBR. The bitrate field will then accept your fixed value. Save. Restart.

CBR is non-negotiable for live streaming. Every working streamer with a stable broadcast runs CBR. Every streamer fighting periodic frame drops despite "having enough bandwidth" usually finds VBR is the silent culprit. Switch the setting.