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To loop a folder of MP4s on YouTube Live, add the files to OBS’s VLC Video source, enable Loop Playlist, then send the OBS scene to YouTube using an encoder stream and stream key. VLC must be installed, and its architecture must match OBS. Test the full playlist—including the transition from the last video back to the first—before going public.
Before you start
- Install OBS and VLC. OBS’s VLC Video source relies on VLC libraries; for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC.
- Have your MP4 files ready and know which order you want them to play in.
- Your YouTube channel must be verified and have no live-streaming restrictions in the prior 90 days. Enabling live streaming for the first time can take up to 24 hours, so check eligibility before scheduling a launch. YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming
- Use a network with enough upload capacity for your chosen stream settings. Test on the same connection you plan to use for the broadcast.
You do not need to buy a new computer just to try this workflow. Official guidance reviewed for this setup does not establish a minimum PC specification for continuous playlist streaming; check current OBS requirements and test your files at the resolution and frame rate you intend to send.
Add the MP4 folder as an OBS playlist
- Open OBS and select the scene you want to broadcast.
- In the Sources dock, select + and add VLC Video. If that source is missing, install VLC with the same architecture as OBS and restart OBS.
- In the source properties, add your MP4 files as playlist items. Arrange them in the order you want them to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist so playback returns to the first item after the last one finishes. Turn off Shuffle Playlist if you want the files to repeat in their listed order; shuffle changes playback to a randomized order. OBS documents Loop Playlist as enabled by default, but check the setting rather than relying on its default. OBS: VLC Video Source
- Confirm the source is visible in the preview and that its audio is routed as intended in the scene. If a file has no audio, or you do not want its sound on stream, check the OBS audio mixer and source settings before testing.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, open the Live Control Room and create or select an encoder stream.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key from YouTube into OBS’s stream settings. In OBS, open Settings > Stream, select YouTube or the appropriate service entry, and enter the connection details as required by the selected configuration. YouTube describes the stream key as the encoder’s password and address; keep it private, and reset it if you believe it has been exposed. YouTube Help: Set up your stream
- Choose encoder settings suited to the resolution, frame rate, codec, and available upload capacity. YouTube recommends RTMPS and publishes bitrate guidance by resolution and frame rate. Leave upload bandwidth headroom rather than using all available capacity. YouTube Help: Recommended encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions YouTube Help: Bitrate guidance
Example bitrate guidance
As an example from YouTube’s current encoder guidance, H.264 at 1080p and 30 fps has a 5 Mbps minimum and 14 Mbps recommended bitrate; AV1 or H.265 at 1080p and 30 fps has a 4 Mbps minimum and 10 Mbps recommended bitrate. These are encoder-setting recommendations, not promises of stream quality or network performance. Check YouTube’s current guidance for the codec and frame rate you choose.
Test the playlist and start the broadcast
- Start with a brief local test or an unlisted YouTube stream. Check that both video and audio reach the Live Control Room preview.
- Watch the entire transition from the last playlist item back to the first. The source documentation describes playlist looping but does not guarantee that every combination of MP4 files will transition without a gap.
- Check stream health and keep an eye on YouTube’s preview while the test is running. YouTube recommends testing the setup and monitoring stream quality.
- If you are recording locally, confirm the recording is being created and continues to grow as expected.
- Once the preview, sound, playlist order, and stream health are right, start the public broadcast from YouTube Live Control Room.
What can go wrong—and how to fix it
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video is not available in OBS | VLC is not installed, or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install the VLC version matching OBS; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC, then restart OBS. |
| The next file does not play or the playlist stops | A file may not load as expected, or the playlist/source settings may be wrong. | Check that each MP4 is added as a playlist item, confirm Loop Playlist is enabled, and test the files and end-to-start transition. |
| Videos play in an unexpected order | Shuffle Playlist is enabled, or the playlist order differs from what you intended. | Turn Shuffle Playlist off for listed order and arrange the items again in the source properties. |
| YouTube does not receive the OBS stream | The stream URL or key may be incorrect, or the YouTube stream may not be ready. | Compare OBS’s stream details with the current values in Live Control Room. Treat the key as a password; reset it if compromised. |
| Preview or stream quality is unstable | Encoder settings may not suit the connection, or upload capacity may be insufficient or inconsistent. | Review YouTube’s current codec and bitrate guidance, leave upload headroom, and test on the broadcast network while monitoring stream health. |
| There is a gap or a jump between videos | Playlist looping does not guarantee seamless transitions for every file combination. | Test the exact files and transition before relying on the stream; adjust or replace problematic files if needed. |
OBS on a computer or a cloud service?
OBS is the local option when you need its scene composition or other production controls and can keep a capable computer running on a stable connection. A cloud service is worth considering if you want a prerecorded YouTube stream to continue without leaving a computer on at home. YouTube’s encoder guidance identifies Gyre as a cloud-based tool for 24/7 prerecorded-video streams; check its current capabilities and terms independently. YouTube Help: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder
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#1 Best Overall
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for keeping an uploaded video or playlist live. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The cloud keeps the stream running without a computer or home connection staying on.
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Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start your free day.
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Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
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UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
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Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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