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How to Schedule OBS to Start a YouTube Loop Stream Automatically

YouTube can schedule the broadcast, but a separate step must launch OBS. Learn how to loop a file or playlist, connect the stream, and choose YouTube auto-start.

By VGSources Team 4 min read
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You can schedule the YouTube broadcast and make OBS loop a video, but scheduling in YouTube Studio does not itself launch OBS at a chosen time. For the documented scheduled-stream workflow, start OBS when you’re ready, wait for the preview in YouTube Live Control Room, then click Go live. YouTube’s auto-start setting can remove that final click after video reaches the scheduled stream; you still need a separate computer-side method to launch OBS automatically.

What “schedule OBS” actually involves

There are two separate jobs: YouTube Studio schedules the broadcast, while OBS supplies the video encoder feed. Scheduling lets you set up and promote an upcoming broadcast, but it does not open OBS or start a local video at the scheduled time.

To run the complete setup unattended, both the YouTube broadcast and the computer-side OBS launch need to be arranged. The official YouTube workflow covers scheduling the broadcast and connecting an encoder; it does not document a clock-based OBS launch. An OS task scheduler or another launcher would need to start OBS, and unattended login and restart behavior can depend on the computer and operating system.

Set up a video or playlist to loop in OBS

Loop one video with Media Source

  1. In OBS, add a Media Source to the scene that will be streamed.
  2. Select the local video file you want to play.
  3. Enable Loop in the source properties. OBS describes this setting as replaying the file when playback completes.

Loop multiple videos with VLC Video

  1. Install VLC before adding the source. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC.
  2. Add a VLC Video source in OBS and add the video files to its playlist.
  3. Leave Loop Playlist enabled so playback repeats when the playlist finishes.
OBS source Use it for Required setup Trade-off
Media Source One local file Enable Loop. Simple single-file playback.
VLC Video A playlist of files Install VLC, add the playlist, and enable Loop Playlist. 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Handles multiple files, but depends on VLC being installed.

Schedule the YouTube broadcast and connect OBS

  1. In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, open Manage, and choose Schedule Stream. Reuse settings or create a new stream.
  2. At the scheduled time, connect OBS using the YouTube stream URL and stream key, or select YouTube as the service in OBS if that option is available.
  3. Start streaming in OBS and wait for the video preview in YouTube Live Control Room.
  4. For YouTube’s documented scheduled-stream procedure, click Go live in Live Control Room once the preview appears.

Keep the stream key private: anyone with access to it may be able to send video to your channel. If you need to replace a key, update the encoder settings in OBS to match the key selected for the scheduled broadcast.

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Decide whether YouTube should start the broadcast automatically

YouTube’s Live Streaming API defines enableAutoStart as starting a broadcast automatically when video begins arriving on its bound live stream. If auto-start is enabled for the scheduled broadcast, OBS sending video can trigger the broadcast without the separate Go live click. The setting changes what YouTube does after receiving the feed; it does not start OBS or make a local computer wake up at airtime.

Choose auto-start only if you want incoming encoder video to trigger the broadcast. Otherwise, retain the manual Live Control Room step so you can check the preview before going live. The YouTube API documentation was last updated 2026-09-14 UTC; OBS interface labels and integration details can vary by installed release.

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Ending the stream and what gets archived

Stopping OBS ends the outgoing encoder feed, while YouTube’s broadcast state is controlled separately. The API describes auto-stop as occurring around one minute after the owner stops sending video. The OBS guide also notes that a scheduled broadcast with auto-stop disabled can be ended through Live Control Room; if you end it there, stop OBS as well.

YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That is YouTube’s stated threshold, not a guarantee for every configuration or a promise about later policy changes.

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Troubleshooting a scheduled loop stream

  • OBS is not running at the scheduled time: YouTube scheduling does not launch the encoder. Configure and verify a separate computer-side launcher, including its login, permissions, and restart behavior.
  • YouTube shows no preview: Confirm OBS is streaming, the selected YouTube server URL and stream key match the scheduled broadcast, and the OBS scene is sending the intended source.
  • The preview appears but the broadcast is not live: With YouTube’s documented manual workflow, select Go live in Live Control Room. If you expect automatic start, check whether auto-start is enabled for the broadcast and that OBS is sending video to its bound stream.
  • A single video stops instead of repeating: Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop.
  • A playlist stops at the last item: Confirm Loop Playlist is enabled in the VLC Video source and that VLC is installed. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC.
  • The broadcast remains open after OBS stops: Check YouTube’s auto-stop behavior or end the broadcast in Live Control Room; stop OBS too if ending it there.
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