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To stream prerecorded video on YouTube Live around the clock from a spare PC, use OBS Studio: add a video as a looping Media Source, or build a playlist with OBS’s VLC Video source, then connect OBS to a YouTube broadcast and test the stream. The PC must remain powered on and connected to the internet while it streams. YouTube’s first-time live activation can take up to 24 hours, so enable it before your planned start.
Before you set up the stream
- Enable YouTube Live early. YouTube says first-time live-stream enablement may take up to 24 hours. Set up or schedule the broadcast in Live Control Room before configuring OBS.
- Choose the source format. Use a Media Source for one video that should repeat, or VLC Video for a playlist.
- Plan for an always-on PC. OBS sends the video from the spare computer over its internet connection. Keep the PC powered, connected and able to run OBS for the intended stream duration.
- Test your own setup. Neither YouTube nor OBS promises uninterrupted 24/7 operation. Test playback, upload capacity and the YouTube stream before relying on it.
YouTube’s encoder setup instructions are at Set up your encoder for live streaming.
Choose how OBS plays the video
| Use case | OBS source | What to configure |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat one local video | Media Source | Select the file and enable Loop so playback restarts when it ends. |
| Play several videos | VLC Video | Add the media files and set loop or shuffle as needed. VLC must be installed; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. |
OBS documents Media Source support for formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG and WAV. A listed format is not a guarantee that every file will play correctly in every installation, so test the actual files. See OBS Media Sources.
Set up OBS and YouTube Live
- Create or schedule the broadcast. In YouTube Live Control Room, create or schedule the live stream and open its stream setup details.
- Add your video in OBS. In the scene you will stream, add a Media Source, choose the local file, and enable Loop. For a playlist, add a VLC Video source instead, select the files and configure loop or shuffle. Confirm that the video and audio play as intended in the OBS preview.
- Connect OBS to YouTube. Follow YouTube’s encoder setup workflow and enter the stream setup information in OBS. Treat the stream key like sensitive account access information: do not share it, publish it or expose it in screenshots.
- Configure output and test. Use YouTube’s encoder guidance for the chosen output quality and connection. Start a test stream, check that video and audio reach YouTube correctly, and verify the broadcast in Live Control Room before depending on it.
Choose stable stream settings and networking
YouTube recommends RTMPS and constant bitrate encoding. Its current encoder guidance recommends a 2-second keyframe interval and says the interval should not exceed 4 seconds. YouTube also lists supported codecs and advises choosing a quality that your internet connection can reliably upload. Check its encoder settings for live streaming rather than guessing at a bitrate that your connection cannot sustain.
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Run an upload-speed test and test the stream at the quality you intend to use. OBS recommends a wired connection because Wi-Fi may be unstable. If you see dropped frames or disconnections, check the connection, the configured bitrate, drivers and the network path to the ingest server. See OBS’s dropped-frames guidance.
HLS is a separate YouTube ingestion option with additional transport and segment requirements, relevant for HDR or codecs not supported over RTMP. It is not needed for a basic SDR prerecorded loop; consult YouTube’s encoder settings if your format requires it.
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Prepare the spare PC for continuous operation
For a local stream, the PC is the encoder: OBS reads the local media and sends it to YouTube. Keep the computer connected to power and the network for the full run, and make sure the selected files remain available. Operating-system sleep behavior, automatic restart after a crash or power loss, thermal suitability and required playlist storage vary by hardware and setup; the cited OBS and YouTube guidance does not specify universal settings for them. Check your computer’s own power and restart options, monitor a test run, and do not assume that a spare PC is suitable for unattended continuous operation without testing.
Copyright and YouTube channel rules
Only stream video and audio you have the rights or permission to use. A file playing successfully in OBS does not establish that you may broadcast it. Review YouTube’s applicable copyright and monetization policies for your channel and content before scheduling a long-running stream. A loop or playlist is a playback setup, not an exemption from those rules; do not assume that prerecorded or repeated material qualifies for monetization.
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Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| You cannot start a live broadcast | Live streaming has not been enabled yet, or setup is incomplete. | Enable YouTube Live in advance; first-time enablement may take up to 24 hours. Check the broadcast and encoder details in Live Control Room. |
| The video does not repeat | Loop is off or the wrong source type is being used. | For one file, check Loop in the Media Source properties. For a playlist, check the VLC Video source settings. |
| A playlist will not play | VLC may be missing or its architecture may not match OBS. | Install VLC; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Test each media file in the target installation. |
| Frames drop or the stream disconnects | Unstable network, excessive bitrate, driver issue or network-path problem. | Prefer Ethernet, test upload capacity, choose a sustainable bitrate, and check drivers and the connection to the ingest server. |
| YouTube does not receive the OBS output | Encoder setup details may be incorrect or the stream key may not match the broadcast. | Recheck the encoder workflow and stream setup in Live Control Room. Keep the key private while correcting it. |
| The PC stops streaming during a long run | Power, sleep, hardware or application behavior can vary by PC. | Review the computer’s power settings, test a longer run and check OBS and system status. No universal PC setting guarantees an uninterrupted stream. |
Local PC or cloud streaming?
A spare PC gives you local control of the files and OBS configuration, but it must stay on and maintain its connection. YouTube also describes cloud-based tools for 24/7 prerecorded streaming. The cited guidance does not establish a quantitative reliability comparison or endorse a particular provider, so weigh whether you want to operate the PC against whether a cloud service fits your workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
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Quick Recap
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