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To replace a video without ending your YouTube live stream, keep OBS and its stream output running, then change or advance the media source inside OBS. Do not stop sending content from the encoder or end the event in YouTube Live Control Room. This is the practical way to preserve the existing ingest session, but YouTube and OBS do not guarantee that every source change will be gap-free.
Why changing the source is different from ending the stream
YouTube receives the feed sent by your encoder; the video file is a source that OBS renders into that feed. YouTube’s encoder instructions say, “To end the stream, stop sending content from your encoder.” So leave the encoder output running and make the replacement in OBS rather than stopping the feed or creating a new event. YouTube does not explicitly promise zero interruption during a live source change, and results can depend on your OBS setup.
YouTube uses a stream key to accept the encoder feed. Keep the same event, ingest settings, and stream key for the session. See YouTube’s guide to managing live stream settings and its encoder setup instructions.
Choose how to load the replacement video
One video at a time: Media Source
Use OBS Media Source when you want to play a local file and choose or replace it as needed. OBS documents support for formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. Media Source also offers loop and restart-playback options. Check the source’s settings and preview after choosing a new file so you know the intended video and audio are active.
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Several videos in sequence: VLC Video playlist
Use OBS VLC Video if you already know the sequence and want to advance among multiple playlist items. It supports playlist playback and loop-playlist behavior, but requires VLC to be installed with an architecture matching your OBS installation. If VLC is not installed or you only need an occasional replacement, a single Media Source is the simpler route.
OBS describes these options in its Media Sources documentation and Sources Guide. A capture device is only relevant if your video is coming from separate HDMI playback hardware; it is not needed to play a local file in OBS.
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Replace the file without stopping the YouTube event
- Prepare the YouTube event. In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and configure the event and stream key. Keep the event and ingest settings in place for the session.
- Set up the OBS source. Add the current local video as a Media Source, or configure a VLC Video source with the planned playlist. Confirm that the scene includes the intended video and audio sources.
- Start OBS output and confirm ingest. Enter YouTube’s stream URL and stream key in your encoder settings, start streaming from OBS, then wait for the preview in Live Control Room before going live.
- Change the media source while OBS keeps streaming. Select or update the video in Media Source, or advance to the next item in the VLC playlist. Leave OBS’s stream output running and do not end the YouTube event. Exact source-edit controls can vary with your OBS version and configuration.
- Check the transition. Watch the Live Control Room preview and listen to the stream. Make sure the new file has usable audio and that the previous source is not still audible underneath.
Test the handoff and watch for problems
Before relying on a replacement during an important broadcast, rehearse with an unlisted or test stream. YouTube recommends previewing and testing the stream, monitoring its quality, and checking the archive. If you record locally, confirm that the archive file is growing as expected. Its live streaming tips cover testing and monitoring.
- The live event ends: Check whether OBS stopped sending content or the stream output was stopped. Keep the encoder feed active when changing files.
- The new video does not appear: Check that the correct scene and source are active, then verify the selected file and preview in OBS.
- Audio is missing or doubled: Confirm the replacement has an audio track and that the old source is not still playing underneath.
- The transition is not seamless: YouTube and OBS do not document a guarantee of zero interruption for this operation. Test your particular sources and settings before a live handoff.
- A VLC playlist source fails: Confirm VLC is installed and its architecture matches the OBS installation.
Copyright, archives, and YouTube rules
Changing a source does not change the rights requirements for what you broadcast. Use video and audio you own or have permission to stream, and check YouTube’s applicable policies before going live. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; that archive detail does not guarantee that a source replacement will be seamless.
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Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep uploaded videos streaming to YouTube without leaving a home computer on, StreamNeo runs the stream from the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It does not stream from a camera.
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