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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Yes. A YouTube channel with zero subscribers can stream prerecorded video from a computer using an encoder, provided the channel meets YouTube’s general live-streaming requirements. YouTube’s requirements for encoder streaming do not list a subscriber minimum. This is different from streaming through the YouTube mobile app, which has separate eligibility rules.
What you need before you start
- A YouTube channel that is verified and has had no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days.
- You must be at least 16 years old to live stream.
- A computer with an encoder such as OBS Studio, plus the prerecorded video file you want to play.
- The YouTube server URL and stream key for the broadcast. Treat the stream key like a password: do not share it.
YouTube says first-time live-stream activation can take up to 24 hours. Enable live streaming before the time you intend to broadcast. Requirements and features can change; check YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility information if access is unavailable.
How to stream a prerecorded video with OBS
- Verify and enable the channel. Complete YouTube’s channel verification process and confirm the channel has no active live-stream restriction. If this is your first time enabling live streaming, allow up to 24 hours for activation.
- Create a stream in YouTube Studio. Open the Live Control Room, create or schedule a stream, and copy its server URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions explain how to connect an encoder. Keep the key private.
- Add the video in OBS. Create or select a scene, add a Media Source, and choose the local video file. OBS Media Sources support common formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, and WebM. Turn on the source’s Loop option if you want the file to start again automatically when playback finishes. See the OBS Media Sources documentation.
- Connect OBS to YouTube. Enter the YouTube server URL and stream key in OBS’s streaming settings, then start streaming from OBS. Confirm that the video appears in the Live Control Room preview before starting the YouTube broadcast.
- Start and end the broadcast deliberately. Start the broadcast in YouTube after checking the preview. When finished, end the broadcast in YouTube and stop streaming from OBS.
This sends the prerecorded file as the program feed of a live broadcast; it is not footage captured live. A file that is not looped will stop playing when it reaches the end, so plan the broadcast length accordingly.
Encoder streaming versus the mobile app
| Method | Subscriber requirement | Prerecorded video and control | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer encoder | YouTube’s general encoder eligibility requirements do not state a subscriber minimum. | Can send a video file as the program feed; an encoder such as OBS can play and loop a local file. | A computer, encoder, video file, and YouTube stream URL and key. |
| YouTube mobile app | Separate eligibility rules apply; the encoder requirements do not establish mobile eligibility. | A different workflow from adding a local file to an encoder scene. | A mobile device and eligibility for mobile live streaming under YouTube’s current rules. |
YouTube describes both software and standalone hardware encoders, but a hardware encoder is not necessary for this OBS file-playback workflow. For current mobile eligibility, consult YouTube’s live-streaming requirements.
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Copyright and channel-policy checks
The video still has to comply with YouTube’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service, and you need the rights or permission to stream its content. Prerecording does not exempt a broadcast from copyright enforcement or other platform policies. Copyright or policy issues can result in live-stream restrictions; YouTube explains potential causes in its guide to avoiding live-streaming restrictions.
For a game video, consider the game publisher’s rules as well as the rights in any music, overlays, or other material included in the file. Do not assume that owning or having played a game automatically grants permission to rebroadcast every element in a recording.
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Troubleshooting common problems
Live streaming is not available yet
Check that the channel is verified and has no live-stream restrictions in the past 90 days. If live streaming was just enabled for the first time, activation may take up to 24 hours.
YouTube does not receive the encoder feed
Recheck that the server URL and stream key in OBS match the stream shown in YouTube Studio. Make sure OBS is actually streaming and that the selected scene contains the Media Source. If you have created a different stream, use the URL and key for that stream.
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The preview is blank or the video does not play
Confirm the Media Source points to the correct local file and that OBS can open its format. Select the scene containing the source, then check whether the source is hidden or playback has ended.
The video stops at the end
Enable Loop in the Media Source properties if you want playback to restart. Without looping, the file plays through once.
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The broadcast is blocked or restricted
Review YouTube’s notice and check the video for copyrighted or policy-violating material. Restrictions can affect live-stream access; changing the encoder will not resolve a policy restriction.
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