To keep music playing between videos in an OBS-powered YouTube live stream, add a looping Media Source for one audio file or a VLC Video Source for a playlist. Keep that source active in the scenes used during transitions, route it through the OBS audio mix, and check that you have the rights to use the music on a live stream and its replay.
Choose how the music should play
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Media Source with one local file | A simple music bed or a playlist already compiled into one file | Few moving parts, but you manage the track order and transitions in the audio file. |
| OBS VLC Video Source with a playlist | Playing a collection of separate tracks | Supports playlist looping and shuffle, but requires VLC installed. OBS advises using 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS. |
Both methods play audio from files on your streaming computer. OBS documents Media Source support for MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV; its Loop option restarts the file when playback ends. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
Set up a looping track or playlist in OBS
Before you start: choose music you can use
- Get an audio file you have permission to use and save it somewhere stable on the computer running OBS. YouTube Audio Library tracks can be downloaded as MP3.
- Check the individual track’s license. Some Audio Library tracks are Creative Commons and require the specified attribution in the video description.
Loop one file with Media Source
- In OBS, select the scene where the music should play.
- In the Sources panel, select + and add Media Source.
- Choose the local audio file, then enable Loop so playback starts again when the file ends.
- Check the OBS audio mixer to confirm the source is reaching the stream mix. Adjust its level so it sits behind speech or video audio where needed.
Loop a collection with VLC Video Source
- Install VLC if it is not already installed. For 64-bit OBS, OBS advises using 64-bit VLC.
- In the scene’s Sources panel, select + and add VLC Video Source.
- Add the audio files to the source’s playlist, then choose whether to loop the playlist or shuffle tracks.
- Check the mixer and set a suitable level. Review the source’s visibility behavior to decide whether playback should continue or stop when the source is hidden.
Keep music running through scene changes
A source attached only to one scene may not be present in another. Add the music source to each scene where it should continue, including transition scenes, or use a shared/nested music scene if that fits your scene layout. OBS Media Source settings can control whether a file restarts or closes when inactive; VLC source visibility behavior can also be configured. Test the transition and audio mix privately or with an unlisted stream before the live event.
Use music YouTube is less likely to flag
YouTube says all live streams are scanned for third-party content. If it identifies a match, it may display a placeholder and warn the streamer; if the content remains, the stream may be temporarily interrupted or terminated. Read YouTube’s guidance on copyright issues with live streams.
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- Audio Library: YouTube says only music and sound effects from its Audio Library are known to it as copyright-safe. Check each track’s license and include any required attribution. See Use music and sound effects from the Audio Library.
- Third-party tracks: A license alone may not prevent an interruption. YouTube says a rights owner should add your channel to its Content ID allowlist when you have licensed third-party content for a stream. Without allowlisting, a stream can still be interrupted even if you have a license and only stream in territories where you have rights.
- “Free” or “royalty-free” labels: These labels do not establish that a track is safe to use. Check the license’s permitted platforms and uses, as well as archive and replay rights. YouTube explains this in its tips to find safe music.
YouTube’s livestream terms and conditions put responsibility on the creator to have all necessary rights for live content worldwide, including music rights from artists, record labels, publishers, and other participants. Review rights for both the live transmission and any archived replay.
Troubleshoot missing or interrupted music
- No music in the live mix: Check that the source is in the active scene and that its meter moves in the OBS audio mixer. Confirm the selected file plays and the source level is not muted or too low.
- Music stops during a scene change: Add the source to the destination and transition scenes, or use a shared/nested music scene. Check what the source does when hidden or inactive.
- A single track stops at the end: Reopen the Media Source properties and verify that Loop is enabled.
- A playlist ends or repeats the wrong way: Check the VLC playlist and its loop or shuffle settings. Confirm VLC is installed and matches OBS’s 64-bit architecture where applicable.
- YouTube warns about or interrupts the stream: Treat this as a rights issue, not an OBS playback fault. Stop using the matched track unless you have permission covering the use; if licensed, ask the rights owner about Content ID allowlisting. A license does not guarantee uninterrupted streaming without it.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded videos looping on YouTube around the clock, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed. Your computer and home connection do not need to stay on; uploads stream as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot. StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day on StreamNeo.
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