To loop a prerecorded video to YouTube Live with FFmpeg, put -stream_loop -1 before the input file and use -re to send it at normal playback speed. For a file with video and audio, this adaptable H.264/AAC template is a practical starting point:
ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -i input.mp4
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast
-b:v 5M -maxrate 5M -bufsize 10M
-pix_fmt yuv420p -g 60
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv "rtmps://YOUR_SERVER/YOUR_STREAM_KEY"Replace input.mp4 with your file path and the example destination with the exact RTMPS server URL and stream key shown in YouTube Live Control Room. The example assumes 30 fps, stereo audio, and a 1080p H.264 bitrate recommendation; adjust settings for your source and stream. This is a template, not a tested or universally suitable command.
What the looping options do
-rereads the prerecorded file at its native frame rate, pacing it like a live input. FFmpeg documents it as equivalent to-readrate 1. It is useful for a file, but FFmpeg warns that limiting the read rate on a real capture or live input can cause packet loss. FFmpeg documentation-stream_loop -1repeats the input indefinitely. It is an input option, so place it before the relevant-i. FFmpeg options generally apply to the next input or output, which makes ordering significant. FFmpeg documentation-c:v libx264,-c:a aac, and-pix_fmt yuv420pselect the example’s video codec, audio codec, and pixel format. YouTube also accepts H.265 and AV1 video over RTMP/RTMPS, and AAC or MP3 audio; H.264/AAC is not the only permitted combination. YouTube encoder settings-f flvis a common FFmpeg RTMP output pattern, not a format requirement stated as universal by the YouTube pages cited here.
The -preset veryfast choice is an illustrative, compatibility-oriented encoder setting. Encoding quality and CPU load depend on the content and machine; verify that your system can encode at the chosen resolution and frame rate in real time.
Set bitrate, keyframes, and audio for your stream
Choose a video bitrate for the actual resolution and frame rate
The sample’s -b:v 5M -maxrate 5M -bufsize 10M is not a universal recipe. YouTube Help’s settings page, accessed in 2026 (publication year not displayed), recommends 5 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p/30 fps and 8 Mbps for H.264 at 720p/60 fps. Its table varies by codec, resolution, and frame rate, so choose the matching current recommendation rather than extrapolating one figure to every setup. Leave upload capacity headroom and test the connection; YouTube recommends running a speed test to check upload bitrate. YouTube encoder settings
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Set the GOP to match the frame rate
-g sets the keyframe interval in frames. The sample’s -g 60 is a two-second interval at 30 fps. At 60 fps, use -g 120 for the same interval. YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe frequency and says not to exceed four seconds. YouTube encoder settings
Match audio settings to the source
The sample’s -b:a 128k -ar 44100 is for stereo. YouTube Help recommends 128 Kbps and 44.1 kHz for stereo audio; for 5.1 audio, it lists 384 Kbps and 48 kHz. Confirm that your file actually has an audio stream before using the template unchanged. YouTube encoder settings
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Get YouTube’s RTMPS URL and stream key
- Open YouTube Live Control Room and go to Stream settings.
- Reveal the RTMPS URL using the lock icon, then copy the URL and stream key into the FFmpeg destination. Use the values shown for your stream rather than the example placeholders. YouTube recommends RTMPS, which carries RTMP over TLS/SSL. YouTube RTMPS help
- Keep the stream key private. Anyone who obtains it may be able to send a stream to your channel.
- Start FFmpeg and wait for the preview in Live Control Room. For a scheduled stream, YouTube’s encoder setup instructions say to click Go live in Live Control Room when ready. YouTube encoder setup
If an SSL connection error appears, check that the destination uses the rtmps scheme and the server shown by YouTube. YouTube also suggests specifying port 443 if needed. YouTube RTMPS help
Check the source file and command before going live
- Replace the example path with the real local file path. Check the installed version with
ffmpeg -version; if an option is unavailable, consult that build’sffmpeg -houtput. - Verify the file’s resolution, frame rate, audio streams, and duration. Make sure the selected GOP and bitrate suit the frame rate and resolution.
- Check CPU capacity and upload speed under representative picture and audio activity. Re-encoding provides control over codec, bitrate, pixel format, and GOP, but consumes processing resources and can affect quality.
- Check YouTube’s current live-stream and copyright rules for the material you plan to broadcast. Permission to play a video does not follow merely from being able to loop it technically.
Stream copying with -c copy may avoid re-encoding, but whether it works depends on the source codecs, timestamps, and ingest requirements. The sources cited here do not establish a universal stream-copy command for every file, so test the specific file before relying on it.
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What an endless FFmpeg command does not handle
-stream_loop -1 repeats the input; it does not supervise FFmpeg, monitor YouTube health, or restart the process after a network or server failure. A 24/7 setup therefore needs an operator to monitor the encoder and stream, plus separate process supervision and recovery arrangements. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; that statement does not establish archive behavior for longer broadcasts. YouTube encoder setup
Troubleshoot common problems
FFmpeg reports that it cannot open the input
Check the file path, spelling, permissions, and whether the file is readable by the account running FFmpeg. Use a quoted path if it contains spaces.
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YouTube does not receive a signal
Confirm that the destination uses the current URL and key from Live Control Room, and that neither contains accidental spaces or missing characters. For an SSL error, verify RTMPS and check whether port 443 is needed. Never post the key in logs or public support messages.
The stream buffers, drops frames, or fails during encoding
Check upload capacity and leave headroom above the configured bitrate. If the machine cannot encode in real time, lower the output load or use a faster preset, then test again. Match the bitrate to the stream’s codec, resolution, and frame rate rather than retaining the sample value automatically.
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Video plays but audio is missing or distorted
Confirm the input contains audio, then choose an audio bitrate and sample rate suitable for its channel layout. The sample settings are stereo settings; they are not the specified 5.1 recommendations.
The picture freezes or the loop does not repeat
Check that -stream_loop -1 precedes the correct -i, and review FFmpeg output for decode or timestamp errors. If you change files or inputs, make sure the loop option is attached to the intended input.
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