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-stream_loop -1 repeats an input when it reaches the end; it does not restart FFmpeg after a local-file error. If FFmpeg exits because a file cannot be opened, demuxed, or decoded, recovery requires an external supervisor or wrapper that records the failure, waits, checks the media, and relaunches FFmpeg or selects a known-good fallback. A restart alone cannot fix a file that remains unreadable.
What kind of failure are you trying to recover from?
“The stream stopped” can describe several different events, and each needs a different response. Start with FFmpeg’s final log lines and exit status rather than treating every interruption as a loop problem.
- Normal end of file: The input was readable and reached EOF. Use
-stream_loop -1before the input’s-ioption to loop it indefinitely. - Corrupt packets, but FFmpeg continues: For supported formats,
-fflags +discardcorrupttells FFmpeg to discard corrupted packets. It does not repair the file or guarantee that decoding can continue. - Local file cannot be opened, demuxed, or decoded: If FFmpeg exits, use an external supervisor or wrapper. Validate the file and choose a fallback or stop and alert if it is still bad.
- HTTP source disconnects: FFmpeg has HTTP-specific reconnect options for certain network and HTTP-status events. These are for HTTP inputs, not local files.
- Publishing to YouTube fails: Treat this as an output or network problem. HTTP input reconnect options do not guarantee recovery of an RTMP/RTMPS YouTube output.
FFmpeg’s command-line documentation defines -stream_loop -1 as an infinite input loop. Its component and protocol documentation describes corrupt-packet handling and HTTP reconnect options in their narrower scopes.
Loop a readable local file at EOF
For one local input, put the input-scoped loop option before -i:
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ffmpeg -nostdin -stream_loop -1 -re -i input.mp4
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac -f flv "$YOUTUBE_RTMP_URL"This is an illustrative command shape, not a tested, universal YouTube preset. Supply the current YouTube server URL and stream key securely, and check YouTube’s current encoder requirements for the selected resolution, frame rate, codec, bitrate, and keyframe interval. The example’s -stream_loop -1 handles EOF for a readable input; it does not relaunch FFmpeg after an error.
Option placement matters: FFmpeg options generally apply to the next input or output, and -stream_loop applies to the input that follows it. FFmpeg’s FAQ recommends -nostdin for background invocations, or redirecting standard input, to avoid terminal input interfering with an unattended job. It does not add restart behavior.
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Handle damaged packets without mistaking it for file recovery
You can try -fflags +discardcorrupt as an input flag when the problem is corrupted packets in a supported input. It asks FFmpeg to discard those packets. Depending on the damage, playback may continue with missing or impaired media, or FFmpeg may still fail.
Discarding packets does not repair a container, make an unopenable file readable, or supervise a process after it exits. If the error is persistent, the robust response is to validate the input and move to a known-good fallback, or stop and alert someone rather than relaunching the same failing file indefinitely.
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Restart FFmpeg after a local-file failure
FFmpeg options such as -xerror and -max_error_rate do not launch another FFmpeg process. The first stops and exits on an error; the second controls an exit-code threshold for decoding failures, and crossing it does not terminate processing. Use a service manager or wrapper to own the restart policy.
- Capture the evidence: Save FFmpeg’s stderr and exit status for each run. Use the final log lines to distinguish a local input failure from an output write or connection failure.
- Wait before retrying: Apply a bounded delay so a persistent fault does not create a rapid restart loop.
- Check the media: Confirm that the intended file exists and is readable, and run an appropriate validation or probe step for your environment.
- Choose a recovery action: Relaunch with the original file only if it is usable; otherwise switch to a known-good alternate, alert an operator, or stop cleanly.
- Keep a retry limit or alert condition: Repeated failures should trigger a controlled stop or notification rather than an endless cycle.
The exact service-manager configuration depends on your operating system and supervisor. No single restart command fits every setup, and a supervisor can restart a process but cannot make permanently damaged media valid.
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Which recovery mechanism fits?
| Situation | Suitable mechanism | What it does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Readable file reaches EOF | -stream_loop -1 before -i |
Recovery from an unreadable file or a process that has exited |
| Some damaged packets in a supported input | -fflags +discardcorrupt |
Repair of the file or guaranteed continued decoding |
| FFmpeg exits after a local-file failure | External supervisor plus validation and fallback | Automatic recovery by FFmpeg alone |
| HTTP input disconnects or gets configured retryable errors | Applicable HTTP protocol reconnect options | Local-file recovery or RTMP output recovery |
| YouTube output is unstable | Check output settings, upload capacity, stream health, and failover | Correction of a broken local input |
Keep YouTube ingest and local-file health separate
A readable, looping input does not ensure YouTube is receiving a healthy stream. YouTube’s encoder settings guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS ingestion and CBR, and recommends a 2-second keyframe interval that does not exceed 4 seconds. Use the current page’s settings for your resolution, frame rate, and codec rather than copying a bitrate without its context.
YouTube also recommends testing the encoder before going live and monitoring stream health. Its streaming tips recommend about 20% upload bandwidth headroom and testing encoder failover. These checks address delivery and ingest; they cannot establish that a local file is readable.
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Protect the stream key as a password. YouTube explains that it tells the encoder where to send the feed and lets YouTube accept it in its stream settings guidance. If the output fails, inspect the publishing connection and YouTube stream health separately from the input’s file and decoder logs.
Troubleshoot common loop and restart failures
- The file plays once and then stops: Check that
-stream_loop -1appears before that file’s-i. It is an input option and must apply to the intended input. - FFmpeg exits despite the loop option: The loop covers EOF, not every open, demux, or decode error. Use the exit status and stderr to identify the failure, then supervise the process and validate or replace the input.
- Discard-corrupt does not help: The flag only discards corrupted packets where supported. It does not repair a damaged container or recover a file that cannot be opened.
- The job keeps restarting and failing: The input may still be invalid. Add a bounded delay, retry limit or alert, and a known-good fallback instead of restarting rapidly with the same file.
- HTTP reconnect flags do not restore the YouTube stream: Those flags apply to HTTP protocol events. They do not repair local decoding or guarantee an RTMP/RTMPS output resumes.
- The input loops but YouTube reports a problem: Review encoder settings, stream health, outbound upload capacity, and failover independently. A healthy output path does not prove that the media is intact, and vice versa.
- An unattended process suspends or waits for input: Use
-nostdinor redirect standard input as described in the FFmpeg FAQ. This prevents a terminal-input issue; it is not a restart policy.
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Sources and version scope
FFmpeg’s online command-line and component pages are regenerated nightly and correspond to the newest revision; compare options with the FFmpeg build installed on your system. YouTube’s encoder and streaming guidance linked above was accessed on October 3, 2026, and its platform recommendations may change. The restart architecture here is an operational approach based on the documented scope of the FFmpeg options, not a tested universal wrapper or a guarantee that a failing file can be recovered.
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