Invalid data found when processing input is FFmpeg’s invalid-data error category, not a diagnosis of what failed. First check whether FFmpeg can read the exact input; then use the complete log to locate the failing stage. Only after the input is confirmed readable should you tune the outgoing YouTube Live settings. The available information does not establish that -stream_loop itself causes this error.
What does “Invalid data found when processing input” mean?
FFmpeg’s error reference defines this message as an invalid-data error. It does not identify whether the problem is opening the input, decoding it, applying a filter, or setting up the output. The final line alone is therefore not enough to diagnose a particular failure. See FFmpeg’s error-code reference.
Does -stream_loop cause the error?
Not on the evidence available here. A loop option in the command is not proof that looping caused the failure. Capture the full command and log, then find the first relevant error and determine whether it appears while opening the input, processing it, or configuring the output. The exact command, input, FFmpeg build, and complete log are needed for a specific diagnosis.
Check whether FFmpeg can read the input
Probe the same file or URL
Run ffprobe against the exact input used in the FFmpeg command:
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ffprobe -hide_banner "INPUT"Replace INPUT with the file path or URL. Check whether the output identifies a container and the audio and video streams you expect. This is an inspection step, not a repair command.
If probing fails
A failed probe can be consistent with incomplete or damaged data, an unsupported format, or content that is not media; these are possibilities, not a diagnosis. Before changing YouTube bitrate settings, verify that the input path or URL is accessible, the file or download is complete, the content is actually media, and the format and protocol are supported. FFmpeg Cookbook also recommends probing the input as an early troubleshooting step; its article was last updated September 24, 2026: input troubleshooting guidance.
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If probing succeeds
Keep the probe output and inspect the complete FFmpeg log, especially messages before the final error. Locate the first failure and determine whether it occurs during decoding, filtering, or output setup. A readable input does not rule out later processing or output problems.
Check the outgoing settings against YouTube Live
Once the input is confirmed readable, compare the stream FFmpeg actually sends with YouTube’s live encoder settings. YouTube recommends RTMPS; supports H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1 video up to 60 fps; recommends constant bitrate (CBR); and accepts AAC or MP3 audio. Its keyframe guidance is: “Recommended 2 seconds Do not exceed 4 seconds”. Follow the current official guidance for codec-specific advanced settings.
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YouTube’s advanced guidance includes square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, CABAC, Rec. 709 for SDR, and audio sampling guidance of 44.1 kHz stereo or 48 kHz 5.1. Confirm which requirements apply to your selected codec and mode on YouTube’s current encoder-settings page.
Match the H.264 bitrate to the actual output
The following Mbps values are YouTube’s published H.264 minimum and recommended bitrates. Choose the row matching the outgoing resolution and frame rate, not merely the source file’s properties.
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| Output resolution and frame rate | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 4K/2160p at 60 fps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 4K/2160p at 30 fps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
These recommendations are not a universal fix for an input-parsing error. Allow enough upload capacity for the selected output and test with representative audio and video motion; monitor YouTube’s stream health during the test.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting order
- Capture the evidence: save the exact FFmpeg command and all output from the start of the run, including messages before the final invalid-data line.
- Check the input: run
ffprobe -hide_banner "INPUT"using the same file or URL. Confirm that the expected container and streams are detected. - Resolve input problems first: if probing fails, check access, completeness, actual file content, format support, and protocol before adjusting output bitrates.
- Locate the first failure: if probing succeeds, use the full log to identify whether the first failure is in decoding, filtering, or output setup.
- Verify YouTube ingest settings: check protocol, codec, CBR, frame rate, keyframe interval, and the bitrate row for the actual output resolution and frame rate.
- Test and monitor: use representative audio and video motion and watch YouTube’s stream-health indicators.
What to include when asking for a precise diagnosis
Share the full FFmpeg command, the input’s type or location (redacting credentials and private tokens), the output of ffmpeg -version, the ffprobe output for that input, and the complete log around the first error. Without those details, it is not possible to identify a specific cause or prescribe a reliably corrected command.
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