The Tool Desk
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What an OBS backup needs to contain
OBS separates its configuration into components, so there is no single export that captures everything an always-on channel needs. Use this checklist before a computer failure, migration, or major settings change.
- Profile: stream, video, and output settings. OBS’s Profile guide says Profiles do not store scenes. OBS Project: Profiles.
- Scene Collection: scenes and sources, including Global Audio Sources. It does not store output settings. OBS Project: Scene Collections.
- Playlist media: separate copies of all referenced video and audio files. The playlist source configuration points to media; it does not package the files themselves. OBS Project: Media Sources.
Keep the exported Profile, the Scene Collection backup, and the media files in a clearly named backup folder or on a separate storage device. A drive is one possible destination; the key is to preserve the files as well as the OBS configuration.
Export the active OBS Profile
- Open OBS Studio and select the Profile currently used for the channel from the Profile menu. Confirm you have the correct one active before exporting.
- Open Profile > Export and save the Profile settings as a JSON file in your backup location. OBS’s Profile guide documents the Profile menu’s import and export options: Profiles.
- Name the file so you can identify the channel and the date it was saved, for example,
channel-profile-YYYY-MM-DD.json.
The Profile preserves settings such as stream, video, and output configuration. OBS’s guide also notes that the connected account is associated with the Profile, but the export should not be treated as a backup of scenes or media.
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Back up the Scene Collection separately
- In OBS, select the Scene Collection used for the channel from the Scene Collection menu and verify that the expected scenes and sources are present.
- Use OBS’s Scene Collection management options to export or save a separate copy of that collection. Store it alongside the Profile JSON, with a distinct filename.
- Record which collection is the live channel’s collection if you maintain several. A copy of the wrong collection can be valid but still leave the channel without its intended scene setup.
Scene Collections include scenes, sources, and Global Audio Sources, but not output settings. Keep the collection separate from the Profile export rather than assuming either one contains the other. See OBS Project’s Scene Collections guide.
Preserve playlist media and check its paths
If your scene uses an OBS VLC Video Source for a playlist, back up every local video or audio file in that playlist. OBS documents playlist, loop, and shuffle options for the VLC Video Source; VLC must be installed for that source to work. See Media Sources and the Sources Guide.
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- Make a list of the playlist’s media files and copy those files to the backup destination, preserving a clear folder structure.
- Keep filenames and folders organized so you can identify the intended playlist items. The source configuration and the files it references are separate parts of the backup.
- After moving to a new computer or storage location, open the Scene Collection and verify that each media source points to an accessible file. If a file has moved, update its path in the source settings.
- Confirm VLC is installed on the restored system if the playlist relies on VLC Video Source.
- Check the playlist order and whether loop or shuffle is enabled before going live again.
Portable Mode does not make referenced media portable. OBS states: “At this time, files used within the scene collection (images, media) are not portable, even when in portable mode.” If you move a portable OBS instance, the Scene Collection JSON may require manual path edits, or you can use a common path available on each device. Consult Running in Portable Mode before relying on a portable setup.
Restore and test before the channel resumes
OBS documentation does not establish one universal restore sequence or file location for every operating system. Menu labels and behavior can vary with the installed OBS version, so use the Profile and Scene Collection menus in your version and verify the result rather than relying on a fixed directory path.
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- Install or open OBS on the replacement system, then import the saved Profile using the Profile menu’s import option.
- Import or load the saved Scene Collection using the Scene Collection menu’s management options.
- Check the selected Profile and collection, then verify that the stream, video, and output settings are the expected ones.
- Reconnect or confirm the YouTube stream configuration as needed, and ensure the correct live destination and stream key are selected before starting.
- Resolve missing media paths, confirm VLC is available for a VLC playlist source, and inspect loop/shuffle behavior.
- Run a short local preview, recording, or controlled test stream. Check that video plays, audio is audible, and the intended playlist continues before returning to the always-on schedule.
OBS’s Quick Start Guide recommends testing settings for a few minutes before a first stream or recording; the same check is useful after a restore. OBS Project: Quick Start Guide.
Common backup and restore problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Scenes are missing after importing a Profile | A Profile stores settings, not scenes. | Import the saved Scene Collection separately. |
| Scenes load, but stream or output settings are wrong | A Scene Collection does not store output settings. | Import and select the correct Profile. |
| A playlist source is empty, missing, or reports unavailable media | The media files were not copied, or the source path no longer points to them. | Restore the files and update or verify the source paths. |
| VLC playlist source does not work on the new machine | VLC may not be installed. | Install VLC and recheck the source and playlist settings. |
| A portable OBS setup works on one device but not another | Portable Mode does not bundle the images or media referenced by the collection. | Use accessible common paths or edit the collection’s file paths as needed. |
| The restored stream plays the wrong sequence or stops unexpectedly | The playlist order or loop/shuffle configuration may differ from what you intended. | Inspect playlist entries and playback options, then test before resuming. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If the reason for this backup is keeping a YouTube channel live when a PC fails or turns off, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It keeps the uploaded videos looping from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Your videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; automatic recovery helps if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams of uploaded videos, not camera broadcasts. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free day.
Quick Recap
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