Tag: key

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OBS

Remote Keypress over LAN – Control OBS with a Remote Computer

Introduction

Sometimes you just need a simple way to send a keypress from one computer to another over your local network. Full remote desktop solutions (RDP, VNC, TeamViewer) are overkill when all you want is: “press a key on one machine → OBS on the streaming PC reacts as if the key was pressed locally”.

That’s exactly what this little Python tool does.
It consists of two scripts:

  • client_keypress.py → runs on a remote computer, listens for a specific key and transmits its state (“pressed” / “released”) over the network.
  • server_keypress.py → runs on the target PC, receives the key state and emulates a real keyboard event so that OBS (or any software) can register it as a hotkey.

This allows you to, for example, hold Right Ctrl on one computer and have it act like F13 on your streaming PC, which you can then bind in OBS as a hotkey.

Download

Download RemoteKey Script

How it Works

  • The client script uses the keyboard library to globally detect when you press or release a certain key (e.g. Right Ctrl).
  • It continuously sends small UDP packets to the server with the key state.
  • The server script listens for these packets, filters them, and uses the same keyboard library to simulate actual key presses/releases.
  • From OBS’ perspective, it’s as if you pressed a real key on a local keyboard.

Because the communication is based on heartbeats and timeouts, the key will never get “stuck” if a packet is lost.

Features

  • 🔑 While-pressed events → the key remains held down on the server until you release it on the client.
  • 🎮 OBS integration → map the remote key to any OBS hotkey (e.g. scene switch, source toggle).
  • 🔒 Secret + IP filter → only packets with the correct secret (e.g. OBS1) and optionally from a specific IP are accepted.
  • 🛡 Failsafe timeout → if communication stops, the server automatically releases the key.
  • ⚡ Low latency → ~50 ms heartbeat, almost instant reaction.

Requirements

  • Python 3.x on both machines
  • keyboard library → install with: pip install keyboard
  • On Windows: run scripts as Administrator (otherwise key hooks and injections won’t work).

Setup

On the Server (Streaming PC)

  1. Edit server_keypress.py and set: PORT = 45987 VIRTUAL_KEY = "f13" # the key OBS will see SECRET = "OBS1" ALLOWED_CLIENT_IP = "192.168.2.161" # your remote computer’s IP (optional)
  2. Run the script as Administrator: python server_keypress.py
  3. In OBS → Settings → Hotkeys, bind your action (e.g. “Switch to Scene 2”) to F13.

On the Remote Computer

  1. Edit client_keypress.py and set: SERVER_IP = "192.168.2.100" # IP of your streaming PC SERVER_PORT = 45987 SECRET = "OBS1" LOCAL_KEY = "strg-rechts" # or "right ctrl" depending on your layout
  2. Run the script as Administrator: python client_keypress.py
  3. Hold the chosen key (e.g. Right Ctrl). OBS on the server reacts instantly as if you pressed F13 locally.

Example Use Case

Imagine you’re performing or presenting with two machines:

  • 🎛 A remote computer in front of you
  • 🖥 A dedicated streaming PC running OBS in the background

You want to hold a key on the remote machine to trigger a special effect, switch a camera, or mute/unmute a source in OBS. Instead of buying a Stream Deck, this script turns any key into a remote trigger.

Security Notes

  • Always set a secret string so random LAN noise is ignored.
  • Use a dedicated port (e.g. 45987).
  • Optionally restrict to your remote computer’s IP address.
  • Packets are plain UDP, so don’t expose this directly to the internet without tunneling (e.g. VPN).

Conclusion

With client_keypress.py and server_keypress.py, you now have a minimal but powerful way to send a single key (or multiple keys) across the network. OBS, games, or any desktop application will see them as local input.

It’s lightweight, extensible, and a fun DIY alternative to commercial hardware buttons.