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In OBS Studio, place the overlay higher in the Sources list than the video or background it should cover. Higher sources appear in front; lower sources appear behind. Drag the overlay into position or use the up and down controls, then confirm the result in the preview. This sets the picture’s layer order—it does not keep OBS or a YouTube stream running continuously.
How OBS source order works
The Sources list is a layer stack: a source higher in the list appears above sources below it and can obscure them. OBS Project’s Sources Guide puts it plainly: “A Source that is listed above another Source in the list will be on top and might hide what’s beneath it.” The guide is dated January 11, 2022.
Layer order and position are different controls. Order decides what covers what; position and size decide where a source appears in the frame. A correctly ordered overlay can still be off-screen, too large, or placed over important game content.
Put an overlay over your video
- Add or select the content source. In the OBS scene, add the game capture, video, or other content that should sit behind the overlay.
- Add or select the overlay. For a web-rendered overlay, add a Browser Source and enter its URL or select a local file. OBS explains these options in its Browser Source guide.
- Move the overlay above the content. In Sources, drag the overlay higher than the source it should cover, or select it and use the up-arrow controls. If another visible source remains above the overlay, it may cover the overlay.
- Adjust its size and position. Check the preview and move or resize the overlay so it sits where intended. Keep text and important game details unobstructed.
- Check visibility and test the output. Confirm the overlay’s visibility is enabled, then test audio, motion, and the actual output before relying on the broadcast.
Choose the OBS source for your content
Overlay ordering applies regardless of source type, but the right source depends on what you are showing:
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| What you need | OBS source | What it does | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web-based alert, chat, or custom overlay | Browser Source | Loads a URL or local page into a scene. | Check that the page renders as intended in the preview. See the OBS Browser Source guide. |
| One local video or audio item | Media Source | Plays supported local media files and has a loop option. | Enable looping if playback should repeat. See OBS Media Sources. |
| Ordered or shuffled media playlist | VLC Video | Supports a playlist, looping, and shuffle. | VLC must be installed. Check the playlist’s loop and shuffle settings in the OBS media-source documentation. |
Test the stream; don’t assume a loop means 24/7 uptime
A Media Source loop or VLC playlist can repeat playback, but neither is a guarantee that OBS, your computer, your network, or YouTube will remain connected. Source order controls composition, not failover or uptime.
Before a continuous broadcast, test with representative audio and movement, confirm the overlay is visible in the output, and watch YouTube’s stream health messages. OBS recommends a test before a first stream in its Quick Start Guide; YouTube also advises testing and monitoring stream health in its encoder settings guidance.
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Choose resolution, frame rate, and bitrate for your available upload connection and target output. YouTube’s recommendations vary by resolution and frame rate, so consult its current encoder table rather than copying a universal bitrate. YouTube recommends RTMPS. OBS notes that system capability depends on encoder, resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity; its system requirements page suggests using the Auto Configuration Wizard, and its hardware encoding overview explains how supported hardware encoders can reduce CPU workload. None of these settings alone guarantees an uninterrupted stream.
Fix common overlay and playback problems
- The overlay is missing: Check that it is visible and move it above any source that might cover it. Confirm its position in the preview.
- The overlay appears in the wrong place or covers too much: Adjust its position and size; changing layer order alone will not solve placement.
- A browser overlay does not render: Verify the configured URL or local-file selection, then inspect the OBS preview.
- A local video stops at the end: Check the Media Source loop option. For multiple files, inspect the VLC playlist’s loop and shuffle settings.
- The stream drops or playback stalls: A loop or source-order change does not prevent encoder, network, or YouTube interruptions. Check YouTube stream health and test the output and connection.
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