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To keep a YouTube Live relaxation stream playing after its playlist ends, enable repeat on the media source in the encoder sending the broadcast. In OBS, turn on Loop for one file, or use a VLC Video source with Loop Playlist for multiple files. YouTube’s watch-page repeat button only loops playback for an individual viewer; it does not loop the feed OBS sends to your live stream.
Choose the right loop for your setup
| Option | What repeats | Best for | What must stay working |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Media Source with Loop | One media file | A single relaxation video or audio/video file | The OBS computer, encoder and network connection |
| OBS VLC Video with Loop Playlist | A playlist from its last item back to its first | Several files in a chosen sequence | OBS, the computer, network and a VLC installation whose architecture matches OBS |
| YouTube watch-page repeat | Playback for the viewer who enabled it | Repeating an uploaded video or playlist while watching | It does not configure the outbound live feed |
| Cloud encoder | Depends on the service and its configuration | Running prerecorded content without a local encoder computer | Service-specific features, costs and terms should be checked before choosing |
OBS documents the source controls in its Media Sources guide. YouTube separately explains how viewers can loop a video or playlist; that viewer control is not a live encoder setting.
Loop one relaxation video in OBS
- In OBS, select the scene that will carry the relaxation stream. Add a Media Source and choose the local video file.
- Open that source’s properties and enable Loop. OBS documents this option as off by default; when enabled, the file plays again after it reaches the end.
- Check the source’s other playback options. In particular, Show nothing when playback ends hides the source after playback finishes. A looping source should not ordinarily reach a final stop, but verify the behavior in a private or unlisted rehearsal.
- Start the encoder and inspect the Live Control Room preview and the watch page. Confirm the video, sound and repeat behavior before relying on the broadcast.
OBS lists common input formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI and WebM video, and MP3, AAC, OGG and WAV audio. A listed format is not a guarantee that every file will decode properly on every computer; test your actual media.
Loop several files in sequence
- Install VLC, then add a VLC Video source in OBS. VLC is required for this source. Match its architecture to OBS: OBS specifically notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add the video files to the source playlist in the order you want them to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist, which OBS documents as on by default. It restarts the source after it runs out of media.
- Leave Shuffle Playlist off to preserve the listed order, or turn it on if you want the order randomized. OBS documents shuffle as off by default.
- Rehearse the transition from the last file back to the first. Listen for a gap, abrupt change in volume or unexpected silence before broadcasting publicly.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, create a live stream or select an existing one. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions describe creating or selecting a stream and copying its stream URL and key.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream and configure the service and stream credentials using the URL and key from YouTube Studio. Keep the key private: YouTube describes stream keys as the encoder feed’s “password and address.” Its live settings guide explains stream-key management and related controls.
- Start streaming from OBS. Check the preview and stream status in YouTube’s Live Control Room, then use its go-live flow as applicable to your stream setup.
- If this is your first time enabling live streaming, allow for YouTube’s stated activation window of up to 24 hours; it may not be available immediately.
YouTube also provides auto-start and auto-stop controls in Live Control Room. Those affect encoder-driven start and stop behavior; they do not replace the Loop or Loop Playlist option on the media source.
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A loop does not guarantee an uninterrupted broadcast
Looping controls what happens when media reaches its end. It does not keep a computer powered on, repair an encoder failure, restore a dropped internet connection or prevent an interruption in YouTube’s ingest. YouTube’s live-streaming tips recommend testing the encoder setup, checking the preview before going live, continuously monitoring audio and video, and ensuring upload capacity exceeds the total outgoing bitrate with additional headroom. YouTube recommends 20% headroom beyond that bitrate.
- Before a long session, rehearse the source transition and confirm the OBS preview includes both picture and audio.
- During the broadcast, monitor YouTube’s stream status and the audio and video output rather than assuming a looping file means the feed is healthy.
- If you are recording locally as a backup, check that the archive file is actually growing.
Plan separately for the livestream archive
YouTube’s archive guidance says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived and recommends making a local recording. It warns that a stream longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. This is an archive caveat, not a guaranteed maximum duration for a live broadcast. For an overnight or continuous stream, decide how you will preserve a recording and whether to divide the broadcast into shorter sessions.
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Troubleshoot a stream that stops or goes blank
- The video stops at the end of a file: Reopen the OBS source properties and check that Loop is enabled for a single Media Source or Loop Playlist is enabled for VLC Video.
- The picture disappears: Confirm the source is visible in the active scene. Check whether Show nothing when playback ends is hiding the source, and test the source behavior in a rehearsal.
- The VLC playlist does not load: Confirm VLC is installed and its architecture matches OBS. For 64-bit OBS, OBS specifies 64-bit VLC.
- The files play but the broadcast drops: Check whether OBS is still sending the encoder feed, then inspect YouTube Live Control Room’s preview and stream status. The media loop cannot repair a computer, encoder, upload or service interruption.
- The stream status is unstable: Test the setup before going live and check available upload bandwidth against the outgoing bitrate, leaving the additional headroom YouTube recommends.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want prerecorded relaxation videos to continue without leaving an encoder computer running at home, StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It keeps the uploaded video looping from the cloud, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. Each slot streams the file as uploaded, at any quality up to 4K 60fps, for one flat price per slot; the first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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