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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 →To schedule a YouTube livestream that plays long videos with a short playlist between them, create a scheduled encoder stream in YouTube Studio and use OBS Studio’s VLC Video source to arrange and loop local files in the exact order you want. YouTube schedules the event; OBS supplies the video and audio. Scheduling alone does not keep a stream online around the clock: your computer, OBS, and internet connection must remain active unless you use cloud hosting.
How the scheduled stream and playlist work
YouTube’s scheduled event creates the upcoming livestream page and controls when viewers can watch. An encoder such as OBS sends the actual video feed. OBS’s VLC Video source can play multiple local files in a chosen order and repeat the list; it is not YouTube natively rotating videos already uploaded to your channel. See YouTube’s encoder livestream instructions and the OBS Media Sources guide.
For example, put a long video, the short playlist, and the next long video in one VLC Video source playlist in that order. With shuffle off, the files play in the configured order. Loop Playlist repeats the entire list after its last item; it does not insert a playlist between long videos on its own. To repeat the short playlist between multiple long videos, arrange those files in the desired sequence, including each occurrence of the short files. If instead you want only the short playlist to repeat indefinitely, make it a separate looping source and manage when it is visible in your OBS scene.
Before you schedule
Check channel eligibility
YouTube says a channel must be verified to livestream and must not have had live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. Its current getting-started guidance also says streamers must be at least 16. Review YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility guidance before planning an event.
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Prepare files and playback order
- Place the long videos and short playlist files in an intentional order. For predictable playback, leave shuffle off.
- Confirm that you have the rights to broadcast every video and its audio. YouTube’s stream-settings guidance specifically flags rights concerns for trailers; the same care applies to all media in your stream. See YouTube’s live-stream settings guidance.
- Keep the media available on the computer running OBS. If a file is moved or becomes unavailable, the source may not play as intended.
Install VLC for OBS
OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC to be installed. Match the architecture: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. If you are using just one video rather than a multi-file playlist, OBS’s Media Source has its own Loop control.
Build and test the OBS playlist
- Open your scene in OBS. Select the scene that will carry the livestream, or create one for this broadcast.
- Add the playlist source. In the Sources panel, select + → VLC Video Source. If that option is missing, install a compatible VLC version and restart OBS.
- Add media files in sequence. In the source properties, add the long video files and the short playlist files in the intended playback order. With shuffle disabled, OBS plays them in that order.
- Choose the repeat behavior. Enable Loop Playlist to restart the complete file list after its final item. Do not enable shuffle if the long-video/short-playlist sequence must stay predictable. For a single-file Media Source, use its separate Loop option.
- Check the scene output. Confirm the video is visible and its audio is audible in OBS. Watch at least one transition between files so you can catch missing media, unexpected ordering, or an audio problem before viewers arrive.
- Rehearse privately or unlisted. Send a test feed to a private or unlisted scheduled event and verify that the files play in the intended order before promoting the public stream.
Schedule the event in YouTube Studio
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live → Manage → Schedule Stream.
- Reuse stream settings or create a new stream, then enter the title, privacy setting, and other event details.
- Set the planned date and start time. YouTube can show a scheduled event as upcoming in subscriber feeds, where viewers may be able to set a reminder. For schedule communication advice, see YouTube’s upload schedule tips.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for the scheduled stream. Treat the key as a credential: anyone who has it may be able to send a feed to your channel.
Connect OBS and go live
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose YouTube as the service, and enter or select the server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio. If you use YouTube’s account connection rather than a manually entered key, confirm OBS is connected to the intended channel and event.
- Select Start Streaming in OBS to send the encoder feed. Return to YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room and wait for its preview to appear.
- When the preview is ready and the scheduled event should begin, select Go Live in the Live Control Room. The scheduled page and the encoder feed are separate parts of the process: sending from OBS does not by itself mean you have launched the scheduled event.
- When the broadcast should end, stop the event from YouTube Studio and stop streaming in OBS. If you intend to run continuously, do not stop either component between playlist cycles.
What “24/7” requires—and YouTube’s long-stream limits
The playlist loop only repeats media. It does not restart OBS after a crash, restore a failed network connection, or recover an interrupted encoder session. A local setup requires the computer and OBS to keep running, a working connection to YouTube, and someone or something able to notice and address failures.
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YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. It also warns that DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable for streams longer than 12 hours. Do not promise full rewind or assume a complete archive for a continuous broadcast; see YouTube’s DVR guidance and its encoder livestream instructions.
Local OBS or cloud hosting?
| Approach | How playback works | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Local encoder (OBS with VLC Video source) | Your computer plays local files and sends the feed to YouTube. | Power and hardware costs, local internet reliability, monitoring and recovery, and managing the media files. |
| Managed cloud encoder hosting | A service runs the feed remotely and sends it to YouTube. | Check its playlist workflow, recovery behavior, availability, pricing, rights and storage terms, and whether it supports the schedule you need. |
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home: StreamNeo loops the uploaded media in the cloud, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Any quality up to 4K 60fps streams as uploaded at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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Troubleshooting common problems
VLC Video Source is missing in OBS
Install VLC and check that its architecture matches OBS; 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC. Restart OBS after installation and check the Sources panel again.
The files play in the wrong order or repeat unexpectedly
Open the VLC Video source properties, verify the file order, and turn off shuffle if you need a fixed sequence. Check whether Loop Playlist is enabled: it restarts the whole list, not just a selected portion. For a single Media Source, check its separate Loop setting.
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YouTube does not show an incoming preview
Confirm that OBS is streaming to the intended YouTube channel and scheduled event, and that its stream URL and key match the values in the Live Control Room. Wait for the preview, then use YouTube’s Go Live control to launch the scheduled event.
The broadcast stops when nobody is watching the computer
A local loop does not make the encoder or connection self-healing. Check whether the computer is still powered on, OBS is running, and the internet connection is active. For unattended continuity, arrange monitoring and recovery or use a cloud encoder.
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Viewers cannot rewind or find a full archive
For streams longer than 12 hours, YouTube says DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable, and automatic archiving applies to streams under 12 hours. Avoid promising either feature for a continuous stream.
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