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If an OBS promo playlist stops after a Windows update, first work out whether playback stopped inside OBS or YouTube ended the broadcast. For a multi-item playlist, check that OBS’s VLC Video source still has valid files, that VLC is installed in the right architecture, and that Loop Playlist is enabled. If the broadcast itself ended, check the scheduled event’s YouTube auto-stop settings separately. Official documentation describes these controls but does not establish Windows updates as the cause of this specific problem.
First identify what stopped
Watch the OBS preview and YouTube Studio together if possible. If the promo source stops advancing in OBS while the broadcast remains live, troubleshoot the source and playlist. If OBS continues sending video but the YouTube broadcast ends, investigate the event’s broadcast settings instead. These are separate controls: OBS governs media playback; YouTube’s auto-start and auto-stop settings govern the broadcast.
Choose the right OBS source for the promo
| What you are playing | OBS source | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| One local promo file | Media Source | Enable its Loop setting if the same file should repeat. OBS documents Media Source for local audio or video files. OBS Media Sources. |
| A sequence of promo files | VLC Video | Use its playlist controls, including Loop Playlist. VLC must be installed. With 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. OBS Media Sources and OBS VLC Video Source. |
A Media Source looping one file is not the same as a VLC Video playlist repeating a list. For a rotation of several store promos, use VLC Video and inspect its playlist settings.
Check the playlist and its playback behavior
- Open the scene containing the promo source. Select the VLC Video source and open its properties.
- Confirm the playlist entries. Make sure each referenced file still exists at the recorded path and that the playlist contains the intended items. The OBS documentation establishes the VLC dependency and controls; it does not establish that Windows updates cause paths or installations to change.
- Enable Loop Playlist. This setting determines whether the source starts again after it reaches the end of its media files. It is separate from Shuffle Playlist, which changes playback order. OBS VLC Video Source.
- Review Visibility Behaviour. This setting determines whether playback continues, pauses, or stops when the source is not visible. If the source is hidden or a scene changes, its visibility behavior may explain why playback pauses or restarts. Choose the behavior that matches how your scenes are arranged. OBS VLC Video Source.
- Verify VLC is installed and architecture-matched. If the VLC Video source no longer works, confirm VLC is present; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. OBS VLC Video Source.
If YouTube ends the broadcast
Check the settings on the specific scheduled YouTube event. YouTube Studio’s auto-start and auto-stop controls affect whether the broadcast starts or ends automatically. If you reuse stream settings, YouTube copies those selections too, so confirm they are appropriate for the event you are using. These controls do not make an OBS playlist loop. YouTube Help: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder and YouTube Help: Reuse live stream settings.
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A practical check after Windows updates
Update timing is a useful clue, not proof that Windows caused the failure. Before your next public promo stream, use this short check:
- Open the OBS scene and confirm the intended source type: Media Source for one file, VLC Video for a multi-item playlist.
- Check that playlist files still exist at their listed locations and VLC is installed with the correct architecture.
- Verify Loop Playlist and the desired Visibility Behaviour setting.
- Check YouTube’s event-level auto-start and auto-stop settings if the broadcast itself ended or would not start.
- Run a short private or unlisted stream test before going public.
Troubleshooting by symptom
| Symptom | Likely area to inspect | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| One promo clip plays once and stops | Media Source setting | Enable Loop in the Media Source properties. |
| The multi-item list reaches its final file and stops | VLC Video playlist setting | Enable Loop Playlist. |
| Playback changes when you switch scenes or hide the source | VLC Video visibility setting | Review Visibility Behaviour and set it to the desired continue, pause, or stop behavior. |
| The playlist source is unavailable or its items do not play | VLC dependency or file paths | Confirm VLC is installed, that its architecture matches OBS, and that the listed media files remain accessible. |
| OBS appears to be sending video, but YouTube’s broadcast ends | YouTube event settings | Inspect auto-stop on that event and any reused stream settings. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep uploaded promo videos looping on a YouTube channel without leaving a home computer running, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative: upload your video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It plays uploaded videos, not a live camera feed. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams what you upload, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or plans and details; start the free first day at StreamNeo registration.
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