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Twitch muted your VOD or sent a DMCA notice?

Twitch mutes parts of past broadcasts when its audio scan finds copyrighted music, and it acts on DMCA notices from rights holders. A mute and a DMCA notice are different things. This guide explains both and what you can do.

Updated 2026-11-15

Short version

  1. Check whether you have a muted VOD segment or a DMCA notice in your inbox.
  2. Compare the music with the game’s page here: the publisher’s quoted policy and the streamer-mode setting.
  3. For a DMCA notice you believe is wrong, file a counter-notice; for future streams, turn on streamer mode where the game has one.

What a muted VOD means

Twitch scans past broadcasts and highlights for some copyrighted music. Matched segments are muted in the VOD and marked on the timeline. A mute does not count against your channel.

You can ask Twitch to review a mute from the video if you own or have rights to the audio, for example when the publisher’s policy allows its game music in streams.

What a DMCA notice means

A DMCA notice is a legal takedown request from a rights holder. Twitch removes the content and records a strike against the channel. Repeated strikes can lead to a suspension.

Read the notice carefully: it names the claimant and the content. Twitch’s DMCA guidelines explain the process.

File a counter-notice

If you believe the content was removed by mistake, or that you had permission, you can file a counter-notice through Twitch. A counter-notice is a legal statement: include accurate contact details and only file one you can stand behind.

Quote the publisher’s policy and link its official page. The rights holder can still take the matter further; we cannot predict the outcome.

Use streamer mode for future streams

Many games have a setting that mutes or replaces licensed music. Our streamer-mode list shows the setting name, where to find it and the source.

“Partial” means some tracks may still be claimed. Music you play outside the game is not covered by any game setting.

Tell other streamers

Send a short user report: which game, which track or scene, and what happened. Reports are anonymous and moderated.

Information only, not legal advice. Policies change; check the publisher’s page before you stream. Claims depend on YouTube, Twitch and rights holders, not on us.