To repeat prerecorded videos in a YouTube live broadcast, create an OBS Studio scene with a VLC Video source, add your files to its playlist, and leave Loop Playlist enabled. Connect OBS to a YouTube broadcast using the stream details in Live Control Room, test the full signal path, then keep the computer and network connection running while you monitor it. The playlist can repeat; that does not guarantee the broadcast will stay uninterrupted forever.
What you need before you start
- OBS Studio on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
- VLC installed on the same computer so OBS can provide its VLC Video source. See OBS’s Media Sources documentation.
- The video files you want to play, arranged in the order you want them broadcast.
- A YouTube channel set up for live streaming, plus access to YouTube Live Control Room.
- Permission to broadcast every video and its audio. Public availability on YouTube does not itself grant rebroadcast rights.
OBS’s VLC Video source is intended for multiple media files. For a single local clip, OBS’s built-in Media Source has a separate Loop option, which is off by default.
Set up a looping playlist in OBS
- Prepare the files. Put the videos in a folder you can find easily and decide their playback order. Confirm that you have streaming rights for both picture and sound.
- Create or select a scene. In OBS, use a scene for the broadcast and add a source by choosing VLC Video. If that source is missing, install VLC and reopen OBS.
- Add the playlist. In the VLC Video source properties, add the local media files and arrange them in the intended order. Use shuffle only if a changing order suits the broadcast.
- Enable repetition. Leave Loop Playlist enabled; OBS documents it as on by default. When playback reaches the end of the list, the source starts the playlist again.
- Check the composition and sound. Make sure the video fits the canvas and the intended audio is audible. Check OBS’s audio meters and confirm that you have not unintentionally included microphone or desktop audio. OBS’s Quick Start Guide covers scenes, sources, audio checks, and testing.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live Control Room
- Open YouTube Live Control Room and set up the broadcast. Choose its visibility and other settings there, following the current YouTube prompts.
- Use YouTube’s current encoder workflow to obtain the stream connection details. OBS has fields for the streaming service or server and the stream key; enter the details for the broadcast you created. YouTube’s Full live production guide describes the Live Control Room and encoder workflow, while OBS explains its connection fields in the OBS Studio Overview Guide.
- Treat the stream key like a password. Do not show it in screenshots, chat, or a public tutorial. If it is exposed, replace or reset it through YouTube’s current controls before relying on it again.
- Use the protocol and defaults currently offered by YouTube and OBS unless you specifically need a different ingestion setup. Labels and available protocol choices can change.
YouTube also documents HLS ingestion for compatible encoders. HLS uses video segments and has higher latency than RTMP; its segment and rolling-playlist requirements concern how an encoder sends data to YouTube, not the creator’s playlist of prerecorded videos. See YouTube’s HLS setup guidance. You do not need to configure HLS manually for this basic OBS playlist method.
Test before making the stream public
- Start streaming from OBS and check YouTube’s preview or stream status in Live Control Room.
- Confirm that the picture is framed correctly and that the intended audio is present without accidental sources.
- Let the playlist advance through more than one item. If practical, watch it reach the end and confirm that it starts again.
- Check that OBS remains connected and that YouTube is receiving the broadcast before you announce or leave it running.
OBS recommends testing settings before a first stream in its Quick Start Guide. Testing the complete path is especially useful before leaving a playlist unattended.
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Check copyright before going live
YouTube Help says: “All live streams are scanned for matches to third-party content, including copyrighted content in the form of another live broadcast.” If YouTube detects third-party material, it may replace the stream with a placeholder and issue a warning; continued use can lead to interruption or termination. For licensed third-party content, YouTube says the rights owner should add your channel to its Content ID allowlist. A license alone may not prevent an interruption if the channel is not allowlisted. Review YouTube’s copyright guidance for live streams and arrange any required permission and allowlisting before broadcasting.
What “endless” does—and does not—mean
Loop Playlist repeats the media files while OBS is playing them. It does not ensure the encoder, computer, internet connection, or YouTube broadcast will run without interruption. Keep the encoding computer powered on, maintain its network connection, and check the stream periodically. The official OBS and YouTube guides cited here explain playlist looping and setup, but do not establish a maximum broadcast duration, archive limit, or guarantee of unattended continuous operation. Check current YouTube Help for any platform limits that apply to your channel or broadcast.
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Common problems and fixes
- VLC Video is not available in OBS: install VLC on the computer running OBS, then reopen OBS and add the source again.
- The playlist stops at the last file: open the VLC Video source properties and confirm Loop Playlist is enabled.
- Only one video repeats: verify that all intended files were added to the VLC Video playlist. For a single-file Media Source, enable its separate Loop option.
- YouTube is not receiving the encoder: recheck the service/server and stream key in OBS against the current Live Control Room details. Keep the key private and use the connection workflow YouTube currently presents.
- Video plays but sound is missing or wrong: check the source’s audio behavior and OBS audio meters, then remove or mute unintended microphone and desktop sources.
- The stream is interrupted after third-party material appears: stop using the material unless you have the necessary rights and any required Content ID allowlisting. A license by itself may not prevent YouTube’s live enforcement from interrupting the stream.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want to keep a computer and home connection running, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the video from the cloud, so your computer can be off. It supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream, and the first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free first day.
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