To loop one pre-recorded video in OBS, add it to a scene as a Media Source and enable Loop in the source properties. For a repeating rotation of multiple videos, use a VLC Video source with a playlist and enable Loop Playlist. Then connect OBS to a YouTube broadcast with its server URL and stream key, start streaming, and check the preview and stream health.
A local OBS stream runs only while the computer, OBS, and internet connection stay available. The steps below cover both looping methods, the YouTube setup, common failure points, and an alternative for running uploaded videos from the cloud.
Choose the right OBS source
| What you want to play | OBS source | Loop control |
|---|---|---|
| One video file, repeated | Media Source | Loop (off by default) |
| A playlist of video files | VLC Video | Loop Playlist (on by default); optional Shuffle Playlist (off by default) |
OBS documents Media Source formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. VLC must be installed to use the VLC Video source; if you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. OBS Media Sources documentation
Loop one pre-recorded video
- In OBS, select the scene that should carry the broadcast. Under Sources, click + and choose Media Source.
- Name the source if useful, then choose the video file in its properties. Confirm that the file is local and that OBS can read it.
- Enable Loop. OBS lists this option as off by default; when enabled, the file plays again after playback completes.
- Decide whether to enable Restart playback when source becomes active. OBS describes this as restarting playback when the source is in the current scene and visible. It is useful when you want the clip to start from the beginning whenever the source becomes active.
- Check the OBS preview and audio mixer. Confirm that the correct scene is active and that both picture and sound appear as intended.
With looping enabled, the clip should restart instead of settling on its end frame. The Show nothing when playback ends option controls whether the source hides at the end; it is generally not the setting to rely on for repetition.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Loop a playlist of videos
- Install VLC, matching its architecture to OBS. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC.
- In OBS, choose the scene, click + under Sources, and add a VLC Video source.
- Add the files to the source playlist in the order you want. Use Loop Playlist to repeat the full list. The documented default is on.
- Enable Shuffle Playlist only if you want a randomized order; its documented default is off.
- Preview the playlist, including the change from one file to the next. Check audio levels and synchronization across files before broadcasting.
OBS documents playlist and loop controls, but does not promise seamless transitions for every combination of files and computer. Test the actual playlist and machine you plan to use. OBS Media Sources documentation
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and select Create → Go live. In Live Control Room, create a broadcast or select one you have already set up.
- Copy the YouTube server URL and stream key into OBS’s streaming settings. Treat the stream key like a password: anyone with access to it may be able to send a feed to the associated broadcast.
- Start streaming in OBS. Wait for the encoder preview to appear in Live Control Room and check the stream health messages.
- If the broadcast is scheduled, the encoder preview may not start the public broadcast by itself. Select Go live in Live Control Room when YouTube presents that action.
- Before relying on the loop, run a test using representative movement and audio. Choose resolution and bitrate that your upload connection can sustain, then monitor stream health.
First-time live-stream enablement may take up to 24 hours. YouTube’s current guidance also requires channel verification and no live-stream restrictions in the previous 90 days. Check eligibility before planning a launch. YouTube: Get started with live streaming · YouTube: Create a live stream with an encoder
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Choose settings that your connection can sustain
There is no single bitrate or resolution that suits every encoder and upload connection. YouTube recommends selecting quality for the available upload bandwidth and testing before going live. A stream that looks fine in a short preview may still falter over a long broadcast, so test with similar motion and sound and keep an eye on the Live Control Room health indicators. YouTube: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
- Use the same resolution and motion characteristics as the material you intend to loop when testing.
- Leave headroom in the upload connection for normal network variation rather than choosing settings at its apparent limit.
- Check the stream preview for picture and sound, then use YouTube’s health messages to diagnose delivery problems.
- Do not assume that a local video file’s playback quality guarantees an equally stable live feed; OBS still has to encode and upload it continuously.
Keep the local broadcast running
With OBS on a local computer, the computer, OBS, and the network connection all need to keep working and sending data. A reboot, power loss, application failure, or internet interruption can stop the feed. YouTube recommends monitoring stream health and testing with representative content; a local loop setting cannot prevent host or network outages.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
A dedicated mini PC is one possible way to keep a local encoder running, but the sources cited here do not establish validated hardware models or minimum CPU, GPU, or memory requirements. Test the specific machine with your intended video and settings before depending on it for continuous operation.
Copyright, policy, and long-stream archives
Use content you have the right to stream
YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content, including other live broadcasts. A match can trigger a placeholder, a warning, or a temporary interruption or termination if the material remains in the stream. If you have a license for third-party material, YouTube says to ask the rights holder to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist; having a license alone may not prevent an interruption. A looping format does not exempt a broadcast from YouTube’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. YouTube: Copyright issues with live streams
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Do not count on a 24/7 stream becoming a complete archive
YouTube’s encoder guidance says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. It does not make that assurance for streams lasting 12 hours or longer, so do not treat a 24/7 broadcast as a guaranteed saved video. Consult YouTube’s current guidance and plan a separate recording or archive workflow if you need a durable copy. YouTube: Create a live stream with an encoder
Monetization is conditional
Eligible monetized live streams may earn through ads, Super Chat and Super Stickers, and channel memberships, but ad slots are not guaranteed to serve an ad. YouTube reported an average uplift of over 20% in in-stream ad revenue per hour among creators using automatic live mid-roll ads compared with channels that did not turn them on; this was a platform-reported comparison across 207 countries in January 2024, not a forecast for an individual creator or a guarantee for a 24/7 stream. YouTube: Monetize your live stream
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Troubleshoot common OBS looping problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video stops at the end | Media Source Loop is off | Open the source properties and enable Loop. |
| The playlist ends instead of starting again | Loop Playlist is off | Open VLC Video properties and enable Loop Playlist. |
| VLC Video is unavailable or does not play | VLC is missing or its architecture does not match OBS | Install VLC; match 64-bit OBS with 64-bit VLC. |
| YouTube does not show the encoder preview | Incorrect server URL or stream key, encoder not started, or live access not yet enabled | Recheck the URL and key in OBS, confirm streaming is active, and verify channel eligibility in YouTube Studio. |
| Preview appears, but the public stream has not started | The scheduled broadcast is waiting for the manual start action | Check Live Control Room for Go live after the preview appears. |
| Stream health reports delivery problems | The chosen quality may exceed what the upload connection can sustain, or the connection may be unstable | Test at a sustainable resolution and bitrate, then monitor YouTube’s health indicators. |
| Broadcast is interrupted after a copyright match | Content ID detected third-party material | Stop or replace the matched material. For licensed content, ask the rights holder to allowlist your channel in Content ID. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want the loop to continue while your computer is off, StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service from Yorker Media for streaming uploaded videos. The setup is: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo says it loops the uploaded videos from the cloud and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream; this is a vendor capability, not a guarantee of uninterrupted service.
- Nothing has to stay on at home: the stream runs from the cloud, not your computer or home connection.
- One flat price per slot for any quality up to 4K 60fps as uploaded, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free, with no card required; one free day per account.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month. Other available billing terms are daily, weekly, 6 months, or yearly, and you can cancel any time.
See StreamNeo for details, or start your free first day.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
