To loop a Google Drive video on YouTube Live, make the video available on the computer running OBS Studio, add it as a Media Source, enable Loop, and connect OBS to an encoder stream in YouTube Studio with that stream’s server URL and stream key. For a long broadcast, download or mirror the file so playback does not depend on Drive being online. Test the stream as unlisted before making it public.
What you need before you start
- A verified YouTube channel with no live-streaming restriction in the past 90 days. First-time live activation can take up to 24 hours. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips.
- A computer running OBS Studio, an internet connection with enough upload capacity, and a video file you can access.
- An encoder stream created in YouTube Studio. Its server URL and stream key tell OBS where to send the live feed. Treat the key like a password; anyone who obtains it may be able to stream to your channel. See YouTube’s encoder workflow.
This method sends a live feed from the computer to YouTube while OBS repeats the local video. It is different from putting a video in a YouTube playlist or scheduling a Premiere.
Make the Google Drive file available to OBS
Download a copy for the most reliable long run
In Google Drive on the web, open the file’s context menu and choose Download. Save it somewhere easy to find, then confirm it plays on the computer before building the OBS scene. A local copy avoids depending on an active Drive connection during playback.
If Download is unavailable, check with the file owner: Google notes that owners can disable downloading for people with viewer or commenter access. See Google Drive’s download instructions.
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Use Drive for desktop when appropriate
Google Drive for desktop offers Stream files, which keeps files primarily in the cloud and makes them accessible through the desktop environment, and Mirror files, which stores a full copy on the computer for offline access. Mirroring consumes local disk space. For a broadcast that should withstand a temporary Drive or internet issue, a downloaded or mirrored copy is the safer choice; this follows from the difference between online access and an offline copy. Details: Stream and mirror files with Drive for desktop.
Set up a single-video loop in OBS
- Open OBS and create or select a scene for the broadcast.
- In Sources, select + and choose Media Source. Give it a recognizable name.
- In the source properties, enable Local File if shown, browse to the downloaded or mirrored video, and select it.
- Enable Loop, then confirm the video appears and plays in the OBS preview. OBS supports common media types including MP4; its Media Source properties include the loop control. See OBS Media Sources.
- Check the scene layout and audio meters. Make sure the video fills the intended canvas and that its audio is present at a suitable level.
Loop several videos as a playlist
For a repeating sequence rather than one clip, add a VLC Video source, build the playlist, and enable Loop Playlist. OBS requires VLC to be installed for this source. See OBS Media Sources.
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Create the YouTube encoder stream and connect OBS
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live and create or select an encoder stream. YouTube’s interface labels can change, so use the current Live Control Room workflow if the wording differs.
- Copy the stream’s server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio into OBS’s stream settings. Keep the key private. If it is exposed, reset it in YouTube Studio and replace the saved key in OBS. See YouTube’s encoder setup guidance.
- Set the event visibility to Unlisted for a rehearsal. YouTube supports public, private, and unlisted visibility; check the Live Control Room preview before launch. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips.
- Start streaming from OBS and wait for the incoming feed to appear in YouTube Live Control Room. Start the event from YouTube when its preview and health indicators are ready.
Choose encoder settings and test the feed
YouTube’s current encoder guidance recommends RTMPS, H.264, constant bitrate (CBR), and a two-second keyframe interval; it says not to exceed four seconds. YouTube transcodes incoming streams for different viewer formats. Use the bitrate row for the output resolution and frame rate you actually intend to send, rather than treating one recommendation as universal.
| H.264 output | YouTube-recommended video bitrate |
|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 14 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s current encoder-setting recommendations, accessed October 2026, not a guarantee that a particular connection will sustain the stream. Consult YouTube’s encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions for other output profiles and current details. YouTube recommends RTMPS for secure ingestion. HLS is an option for certain codec or HDR workflows, but it has higher latency and more constrained setup; most OBS file-loop setups can follow the ordinary RTMPS guidance.
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Check upload headroom and content before going public
- YouTube recommends about 20% upload-bandwidth headroom. The relevant figure is outbound bandwidth from the broadcasting network, not download speed. Test the connection from the actual computer and network you will use. See YouTube’s streaming tips.
- Run a rehearsal with representative movement and audio. Confirm the OBS preview, YouTube preview, stream health, and watch page all work.
- Check that you have the rights to stream every video, music track, and other included material. A file being stored in your Drive does not itself establish permission to rebroadcast it. YouTube’s policies and copyright rules apply to live streams as well as uploaded videos.
- After launch, keep an eye on stream health and the actual watch page, especially during the first loop transition.
Stop the stream and understand the archive limit
When finished, end the event in Live Control Room and stop the encoder according to YouTube’s workflow. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived and accessible from the channel’s Live tab. Its cited guidance does not establish the same archive guarantee for broadcasts lasting 12 hours or longer, so do not rely on an automatic archive for a longer loop. See YouTube’s encoder workflow.
Fix common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The file cannot be selected or playback fails | The file is online-only, inaccessible, or not supported as configured | Download or mirror it, confirm it opens locally, and check the file type. Google documents supported Drive video formats at Drive video playback and file types; OBS has its own Media Source support. |
| Drive will not let you download the video | The owner may have disabled downloads for viewers or commenters | Ask the owner for download access or a copy. See Drive download instructions. |
| The loop ends instead of repeating | The source’s loop option is off, or the playlist loop is not enabled | Reopen Media Source properties and enable Loop; for VLC Video, enable Loop Playlist. Confirm VLC is installed for playlist playback. See OBS Media Sources. |
| YouTube shows poor stream health or the feed drops | The bitrate may exceed stable upload capacity, or the network is fluctuating | Compare the encoder bitrate with measured upload capacity, preserve YouTube’s recommended headroom, and reduce resolution or bitrate if needed. Retest on the broadcast network. See encoder settings and network tips. |
| The scheduled stream does not receive video | Eligibility is incomplete, the preview has not arrived, or the connection details are wrong | Check channel verification and restrictions, allow up to 24 hours for first-time activation, verify the server URL and stream key, and inspect Live Control Room. See YouTube’s eligibility guidance and encoder setup. |
| The stream key may have been exposed | Someone else may be able to use it to send a feed | Reset the key in YouTube Studio and update OBS with the new key. See YouTube’s encoder workflow. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a YouTube channel to keep looping uploaded video without leaving a computer and connection running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo plays uploaded videos to YouTube; it does not broadcast from a camera.
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