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To reopen OBS Studio when you sign in to Windows, put an OBS shortcut in the Startup folder or create a Task Scheduler task. To have OBS start streaming as it opens, add --startstreaming to the launch command. These are separate steps, and OBS starting a stream does not guarantee that YouTube will take the intended broadcast live. Configure and test both sides before relying on an unattended restart.
Choose how OBS should start
The Startup folder is the simpler choice when launching OBS at your Windows sign-in is enough. Task Scheduler offers more control over launch timing or conditions, but requires additional configuration. In either case, decide separately whether OBS should merely open or should also begin streaming.
| Approach | Best for | Key setup point | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startup folder shortcut | Opening OBS at user sign-in | Place an OBS shortcut in the Startup folder; add --startstreaming only if OBS should begin streaming immediately |
Offers little control over delay or network readiness. The Windows route described here comes from community guidance, not current Microsoft procedural documentation. OBS forum discussion |
| Task Scheduler | More control over when or under what conditions OBS launches | Run OBS and set Start in… to the folder containing obs64.exe |
Requires configuration and testing; detailed Windows task settings are not established by the cited official OBS documentation. OBS launch parameters |
--startstreaming |
Starting OBS streaming when the app launches | Append the parameter to the shortcut target or automated command | It does not ensure YouTube will transition every broadcast to live after a restart. OBS launch parameters · YouTube live stream settings |
Set up OBS to open at Windows sign-in
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Find the OBS Studio shortcut you normally use. If needed, create a shortcut that points to
obs64.exein your OBS installation folder. -
Open the Startup folder for your Windows user: press Windows+R, enter
shell:startup, and press Enter. This route is described in community guidance rather than in a current Microsoft procedural source. OBS forum discussionRecommended: Update Every Outdated Driver on Your PC in One Scan - Free →Recommended: Fix Windows Errors and Clear Junk Files in Minutes - Free Scan →Recommended: Crashes or Glitches? A Free Driver Scan Usually Finds the Culprit →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.#1 Best Overall
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Copy or move the OBS shortcut into the folder that opens. OBS will then launch when that user signs in; this does not itself mean Windows has signed in automatically after a restart.
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Restart Windows and sign in to confirm that OBS opens as expected.
Have OBS begin streaming on launch
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Right-click the OBS shortcut and open Properties.
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In the Shortcut tab, find Target. After the closing quotation mark of the executable path, add a space and then
--startstreaming. For example:"C:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bitobs64.exe" --startstreaming. Your OBS installation path may differ.Rank #2
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Select Apply, then OK. OBS documents
--startstreamingas a launch parameter for automatically starting a stream. OBS Project: Launch ParametersSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
If you use Task Scheduler or another automated launch method instead of the shortcut, configure the task’s Start in… working directory as the folder containing
obs64.exe. OBS specifically calls out the working directory for scheduled or automated launching. OBS Project: Launch Parameters
Check YouTube’s broadcast settings too
OBS’s launch parameter tells OBS to start sending its configured stream. YouTube’s broadcast or event settings also affect whether an incoming stream transitions to live automatically. In YouTube Studio, check the auto-start setting for the intended broadcast before enabling unattended streaming. YouTube says that reusing a stream’s settings copies its auto-start and auto-stop selections; that does not establish how every scheduled broadcast or account configuration behaves after a restart. YouTube Help: Create a live stream with an encoder
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Before turning on automatic streaming, verify the selected YouTube broadcast, audience setting, OBS scene, and audio and video sources. An automatic launch can transmit as soon as the configured stream and broadcast are ready.
Test the full restart sequence
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Use an appropriate private or test broadcast, rather than an audience-facing event.
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Restart the PC and sign in. Confirm that OBS opens.
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Check whether OBS begins streaming if you added
--startstreaming. -
Confirm in YouTube Studio that the intended broadcast—not a different event—actually becomes live.
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Check the resulting stream’s video and audio, then repeat the test after any change to the shortcut, task, or YouTube broadcast setup.
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A PC can restart and OBS can launch before the network equipment is ready. An OBS forum participant reported this timing problem after a power outage and noted that an initial failed connection may affect reconnection. This is a community-reported possibility, not a guaranteed behavior for every setup. If it occurs, test a delayed or retrying task rather than assuming the first launch will recover. OBS forum discussion
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common restart failures
| Symptom | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| OBS does not open after restart | Whether you signed in to the Windows user whose Startup folder contains the shortcut, and whether the shortcut is valid | Confirm the shortcut opens OBS manually, then check that it is in the correct user’s Startup folder. |
| OBS opens but does not start streaming | Whether --startstreaming is outside the closing quote in the shortcut’s Target, separated from the path by a space |
Correct the target, apply the change, and retest. For a scheduled launch, also set Start in… to the folder containing obs64.exe. OBS Project: Launch Parameters |
| OBS starts streaming but YouTube does not show the intended broadcast as live | The selected YouTube broadcast and its auto-start setting | Check the event’s YouTube-side settings and test the complete workflow. OBS starting to stream alone does not guarantee YouTube’s transition to live. YouTube Help |
| The stream fails when the PC starts after a power outage | Whether internet access was available when OBS launched | Test whether delaying or retrying the launch helps in your setup; the network timing issue is reported in community discussion, not established as universal. OBS forum discussion |
| A restart does not resume the same scheduled broadcast | The current broadcast state and account-specific YouTube configuration | Do not assume every event restores identically. The documented settings cover stream configuration and reuse behavior, not universal post-restart recovery. YouTube Help |
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