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Configure reconnect for an HTTP-hosted source
FFmpeg documents the reconnect controls below in its HTTP protocol options. They apply to an HTTP input, not every input type or the output side of a command. A minimal illustrative pattern is:
ffmpeg -reconnect 1 -reconnect_streamed 1 -reconnect_delay_max 30
-i 'https://example.invalid/video.mp4'
... your chosen codecs, mappings, and YouTube output ...The options precede the -i they configure. The 30-second maximum delay here is an example, not a universal recommendation. Replace the example URL and output section with your actual source and encoding settings. Consult the FFmpeg Protocols Documentation and check the options available in your installed build with ffmpeg -h protocol=http; versions and builds can differ.
What the options control
-reconnect 1: reconnect automatically when the HTTP connection is disconnected before EOF.-reconnect_streamed 1: allow reconnects for streamed or non-seekable HTTP sources.-reconnect_at_eof 1: treat EOF as an error and reconnect. FFmpeg describes this as useful for live or endless streams, not a normal finite file that should play once.-reconnect_on_network_error 1: reconnect on TCP or TLS errors during connection.-reconnect_on_http_error 4xx,5xx: retry selected HTTP error responses. The option can accept specific status codes or classes such as4xxand5xx; choose deliberately rather than retrying every response by default.-reconnect_delay_max: cap the reconnect delay.-reconnect_max_retries: cap the number of retries.-reconnect_delay_total_max: cap total reconnect delay.-respect_retry_after 1: honor a server’sRetry-Afterheader when applicable.
These are controls to choose for the failure modes you expect, not a set to enable indiscriminately. In particular, if the input is a finite video intended to end, do not turn on reconnect_at_eof unless retrying or restarting at EOF is explicitly what you want.
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Choose behavior for the source and EOF
First identify whether the input is a local file, a finite HTTP-hosted file, or an endless/live source. A finite file reaching its end is ordinary EOF. A live or endless source may need different EOF behavior. The documented HTTP reconnect options do not establish recovery behavior for local-file I/O errors, so do not expect them to repair a failing local disk or file read.
Also decide what should happen if the process stops: should the YouTube event finish, should playback start again at the beginning, should it resume from a known position, or should an operator be alerted? These are separate playback and operations requirements. A retry of an HTTP read does not define the restart or resume policy for the whole broadcast.
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Separate input recovery from YouTube publishing recovery
The HTTP reconnect flags govern fetching an HTTP source. YouTube’s encoder guidance describes RTMP/RTMPS ingest; HTTP input retries do not automatically reconnect that publishing output, guarantee gapless continuation after a publishing interruption, or restart a stopped YouTube event. Treat source reading, encoding, network transport, YouTube ingest, and event state as distinct possible failure points. Confirm the recovery behavior with the FFmpeg build, output protocol, and event settings you will actually use.
For a prerecorded broadcast, test the intended end, restart, or resume behavior using a non-public or unlisted test event and representative media before scheduling a real stream.
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Verify YouTube encoder and stream settings
YouTube’s encoder settings guidance lists RTMP/RTMPS ingest, H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 video, up to 60 fps, CBR, and AAC or MP3 audio. It recommends a two-second keyframe interval and says it should not exceed four seconds. Use YouTube’s current bitrate table for the selected codec, resolution, and frame rate rather than assuming one bitrate fits every configuration. YouTube recommends RTMPS: “We recommend streaming to YouTube Live with RTMPS, a secure extension to the popular RTMP streaming video protocol.”
YouTube says it automatically transcodes live streams into multiple output formats. In YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room, create or select the event and copy its stream URL and stream key into the encoder configuration. Consult Manage live stream settings for stream settings. Treat the key like a password: keep it out of public shell-history examples, logs, screenshots, and shared scripts. If it is exposed, rotate it through YouTube Studio.
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Test the complete workflow before scheduling
YouTube’s streaming tips recommend testing ahead of time, matching test audio and motion to the real program, previewing the incoming stream, monitoring stream health and messages, and testing encoder failover. YouTube also recommends leaving 20% upload-bandwidth headroom. That is operational guidance, not a guarantee of uninterrupted streaming.
- Identify the input as local or HTTP-hosted, and finite or endless.
- Check the installed FFmpeg version and, for HTTP input, confirm available options with
ffmpeg -h protocol=http. - Verify the output protocol, YouTube stream URL and key, codecs, bitrate, keyframe interval, and audio format.
- Test representative media and confirm the expected behavior at EOF.
- In a controlled test, interrupt the source or network. Observe separately whether input reading recovers, whether FFmpeg keeps publishing, and what viewers see.
- Preview the event, monitor stream health, and test any independent backup or failover process.
- Keep the stream key private and decide who responds if the event stops.
Troubleshoot common reconnect problems
FFmpeg stops when the video reaches its end
Cause: A finite file reached its normal EOF. reconnect is not a loop setting. Fix: If the event should end, allow EOF. If you need a loop, restart, or resume policy, configure and test that behavior separately; do not treat reconnect_at_eof as a general-purpose loop switch.
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The HTTP source drops and does not recover as expected
Cause: The relevant reconnect option may be absent, unavailable in the installed build, or unsuitable for that server’s response or source behavior. Fix: Check ffmpeg -h protocol=http, inspect the FFmpeg error and HTTP response, and choose only the retry controls that match the failure. A delay cap does not guarantee that the server will accept a retry.
The input recovers but YouTube remains disconnected
Cause: Input retry and publishing recovery are different. Fix: Diagnose the output connection and YouTube event state separately, then verify the production recovery plan with the exact output protocol and event settings.
Viewers see interruptions despite retries
Cause: A retry cannot guarantee uninterrupted delivery across encoding, network transport, ingest, or event-state failures. Fix: Test the full route, monitor YouTube stream health, maintain the recommended bandwidth headroom, and test an independent failover process if continuity matters.
The stream is rejected or has poor ingest health
Cause: Output settings, credentials, or available upload bandwidth may not match the event. Fix: Recheck the current YouTube encoder guidance and bitrate table for your codec, resolution, and frame rate; verify the event’s stream URL and key; and preview and monitor the incoming stream.
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