October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
VGSources
Gaming streams

How to Switch Videos in a YouTube Gaming Rerun Stream Without a Gap

Keep the same YouTube live event active while changing rerun videos by switching OBS scenes—not by stopping and restarting the encoder.

By VGSources Team 4 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To switch prerecorded videos without ending a YouTube live event, keep the OBS encoder connected and switch the active scene or content inside OBS. Prepare the next video in advance, confirm the outgoing feed, then use a scene transition or configured hotkey at changeover. Do not stop and restart the encoder for each video: YouTube says stopping content from the encoder ends the stream.

What “without a gap” means in this setup

YouTube receives one live feed from your encoder. The stream URL and stream key connect OBS to that feed; changing scenes in OBS changes what the encoder sends without requiring a new YouTube event. This workflow is based on the documented roles of OBS scene controls and YouTube encoder streaming, not on a special YouTube feature for gapless reruns.

A scene transition can make the handoff controlled, but it does not by itself guarantee that two video files will join with no black frame, frozen frame, or silence. Confirm the actual output in your OBS preview and YouTube preview before relying on the changeover.

Set up one YouTube live event

  1. In YouTube Studio, create or schedule the live stream. Follow YouTube’s encoder setup instructions to obtain the stream URL and stream key.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
    #1 Best Overall
    Sale
    LAPGEAR Home Office Pro Lap Desk - Black Carbon, Fits 15.6” Laptops
    • Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 14.1" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
    • Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy ergonomic support with the integrated cushioned wrist rest.
    • Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
    • Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a sleek black carbon color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
    • On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.8 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
  2. In OBS, enter the YouTube stream URL and key in the encoder’s server and stream-key fields. Treat the key as a credential: anyone who has it may be able to send a feed to your stream.

  3. Prepare the rerun content in OBS as scenes or otherwise arrange it so you can select the next video using OBS’s scene transition controls. OBS documents scene transitions, quick transitions, and configured hotkeys in its Studio Overview Guide.

  4. Start sending the encoder feed. Check that the intended video appears in YouTube’s preview before taking the event live, following YouTube’s encoder workflow.

    Rank #2
    Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
    • 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.

Switch to the next video while OBS stays live

  1. Before the current video ends, make sure the next scene or content source is ready and that the intended file is selected.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  2. At the changeover, activate the next OBS scene using its scene transition, quick transition, or configured hotkey.

  3. Keep OBS sending the encoder feed throughout the switch. Do not end the event or stop encoder output as the ordinary way to move between videos.

    Rank #3
    Sale
    Yilador Webcam Cover 3 Pack, 0.03 inch Ultra Thin Laptop Camera Cover Slide
    • Note: Not suitable for MacBooks released after 2023 or devices with a protruding front camera; Not applicable to full-screen or notch-style tempered glass screen protectors; Do not use on the rear camera of the phone.
    • 💻 Why Do You Need a Webcam Cover Slide? — Safeguard your privacy by covering your webcam with our reliable webcam cover when not in use. Don't let anyone secretly watch you. Stay protected!
    • ✅ Thin & Stylish — Enhance your laptop's functionality and aesthetics with our 0.027" ultra-thin webcam covers. Seamlessly close your laptop while adding a touch of sophistication.
    • ✅ Fits Most Devices — Compatible with laptops, phones, tablets, desktops! Keep your privacy intact on Ap/ple, Mac/Book, iPh/one, iP/ad, H/P, L/novo, De/ll, Ac/er, As/us, Sa/msung devices.
    • ✅ 365 Days Protection — Our upgraded 3.0 adhesive ensures a strong hold that won't damage your equipment. Experience reliable, long-term privacy protection day in and day out.
  4. Watch the OBS preview and, where practical, YouTube’s preview to verify that the new content is actually being sent.

Exact file restart, looping, and next-item behavior depends on the media-source settings in the OBS version you use. The cited OBS guide documents scene controls but does not establish a particular checkbox or automatic playlist configuration. Test those source behaviors with your installed version before automating unattended changeovers.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Choose a switching method

Method What happens Continuity implications
Switch OBS scenes while the encoder stays live Use a scene transition, quick transition, or configured hotkey to change what OBS sends. Fits the goal of keeping the same YouTube live event active. Check the feed during the handoff.
Stop and restart the encoder for every video Encoder output stops between videos, then starts again. Not suitable for a continuous event: YouTube says stopping encoder content ends the stream.
Trigger a configured OBS hotkey with a keyboard A keyboard shortcut activates the assigned scene or transition. OBS documents hotkeys; extra hardware is not required. A macro keypad is only an optional way to trigger a shortcut, not a continuity feature.

Live settings and viewer experience

YouTube’s live stream settings guidance explains latency and DVR controls. Latency is the delay between capture and playback; choosing lower latency may mean more buffering. DVR lets viewers pause and rewind. These affect how viewers experience the stream, but they do not control OBS scene changes or make a file handoff gapless.

Rank #4
AboveTEK Portable Laptop Lap Desk w/Retractable Left/Right Mouse Pad Tray, Non-Slip Heat Shield Tablet Notebook Computer Stand Table w/Sturdy Stable Work Surface for Bed Sofa Couch or Travel
  • Anti-Slip Surface - Transform your laptop into a mobile workstation with the AboveTEK portable laptop lap desk. The anti-slip surface provides a strong grip for laptops up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), while the double rubber strip on the bottom ensures a stable display or typing experience on your lap, couch, or bed.
  • Retractable Mouse Pad - Retractable laptop mouse pad extends on both directions for the left/right handed with elevation along the edges for stopping mouse from falling off. The size of laptop tray is 14" X 9.7" and the size of mouse pad is 7.4" X 6.1".
  • Effective Heat Shield - The effective heat shield made of sturdy and thick material protects your laptop from overheating. Prioritizes your comfort and safety, an ideal lap pad or board for working anywhere.
  • EASY to Carry and Store - With an ergonomic and simplistic design, the lap desk is portable to store in a backpack. Only 15" in size, 2.2 lb of weight and with slim 0.6 inch thickness, it is ready to be easily carried around.
  • Widely Applicable - The smooth platform accommodates laptops and tablets up to 15.6 inches(Diagonal), making it a versatile accessory and one of the best gifts for mom, dad, students and professionals. Perfect for use as a laptop bed tray or tablet holder anywhere at home, library, or park.

YouTube Help says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That is an archival detail, not a workaround for a stopped encoder or a promise that scene changes will be gap-free. See YouTube’s encoder help for its stream workflow.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Troubleshooting a failed or rough changeover

  • The YouTube event ends when a video changes: Check whether OBS stopped sending output or the event was ended. For an ordinary changeover, leave encoder output running and switch the OBS scene instead.

  • The next video does not appear: Confirm that the intended scene is active in OBS and inspect its preview. Check the media source and file selection in the OBS version installed; the cited overview does not specify automatic file-advance settings.

    Free tools Windows power users keep installed

    One-click scans. No signup required.

    Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
    Best Value
    Sale
    LAPGEAR Home Office Lap Desk – Pink, Fits 15.6” Laptops
    • Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
    • Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
    • Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
    • Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
    • On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
  • The handoff shows black, a frozen frame, or silence: Check both scenes’ sources and transition in OBS, then observe the preview during a test switch. A scene transition is not a guarantee of seamless playback between files.

  • YouTube does not show the encoder feed: Recheck the stream URL and stream key entered in OBS, confirm that OBS is sending output, and follow YouTube’s encoder setup and preview steps.

  • Viewers report buffering: Review the latency choice and viewer conditions. YouTube notes that lower latency may increase buffering; latency settings do not repair a source or scene-switch problem.

Or let it run in the cloud

If the goal is to keep a prerecorded gaming rerun live on YouTube without leaving a PC running, StreamNeo is an alternative to the OBS-at-home workflow. Upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud; it does not broadcast a camera feed.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
  • Nothing has to stay on at home; the stream runs from the cloud.
  • One flat price per slot for any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
  • Automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream.
  • The first day is free with no card, one free day per account.

Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is YouTube-only. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Patch Notes

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.