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First identify where the connection fails: an HTTP input, FFmpeg’s network output, or the FFmpeg process itself. Use HTTP reconnect options for supported HTTP inputs, FIFO recovery for an output that drops while FFmpeg is still running, and an external process supervisor if FFmpeg exits. If your relaxation video is a local file, loop it separately with -stream_loop -1; that option does not reconnect the publishing connection.
Choose the recovery method for the failure point
| What failed | FFmpeg approach | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| HTTP source disconnected | HTTP protocol reconnect options, placed before that input’s -i |
These options apply to HTTP input behavior, not universal output recovery. Recovery depends on the source, network, protocol, and build. |
| Network output dropped while FFmpeg is running | Wrap the destination format with the FIFO pseudo-muxer and enable recovery | FIFO attempts in-process output recovery; it does not relaunch an exited process. |
| FFmpeg process exited | Use an external service manager or restart loop | A new invocation may start a local file from the beginning unless the command and source preserve position. |
| Local relaxation file must play continuously | Use -stream_loop -1 before the file’s -i |
This loops the input; it does not recover a network publishing connection. |
FFmpeg command-line option placement matters: input options belong before the relevant -i. Check the installed build’s help and the online FFmpeg documentation index, which says the online documentation is regenerated nightly for the newest revision. Option support and behavior can differ by build.
Local file to network output: loop the source and recover the output
This is a template, not a tested drop-in command. Replace the destination format and URL with values supported by your publishing service, and verify that your build supports the FIFO options shown.
ffmpeg -stream_loop -1 -re -i relaxation.mp4
-c:v copy -c:a copy
-f fifo
-attempt_recovery 1
-recovery_wait_time 5
-max_recovery_attempts 0
-fifo_format flv
'rtmp://DESTINATION/APP/STREAM_KEY'- Loop the local input:
-stream_loop -1appears before-i relaxation.mp4. A value of-1requests indefinite input looping. - Read at live pace:
-reis commonly used when reading a file for live-paced output. Confirm it suits the source and destination’s expectations. - Choose output handling:
-f fifoselects the FIFO pseudo-muxer.-fifo_format flvnames the underlying output muxer in this example. - Enable recovery:
-attempt_recovery 1enables attempts;-recovery_wait_time 5sets the wait between attempts;-max_recovery_attempts 0requests unlimited attempts. Unlimited retries can keep trying indefinitely, but cannot ensure the destination will return. - Check codecs and destination:
-c:v copy -c:a copyassumes the source codecs and container are accepted by the destination. The example assumes FLV/RTMP compatibility. If the service requires transcoding, choose codecs and encoding settings it supports rather than copying these flags unchanged.
Input looping and output recovery are separate controls. FFmpeg documents the command-line behavior in its command-line documentation and the FIFO recovery options in its all-options documentation. The FIFO documentation says this is especially useful with network output because it can make it possible to restart streaming transparently; that describes the recovery feature, not a guarantee for every interruption.
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HTTP source: configure input reconnect options
For a supported HTTP input, put reconnect options before the source URL’s -i. For example:
ffmpeg -reconnect 1 -reconnect_at_eof 1
-reconnect_streamed 1 -reconnect_delay_max 30
-i 'https://SOURCE/relaxation-stream' ...This is only an example shape. Choose retry limits for your source and use case; the trailing ... represents the rest of your actual command, not literal FFmpeg syntax.
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-reconnectattempts reconnection after a disconnect before EOF.-reconnect_at_eoftreats EOF as an error and reconnects, which can suit live or endless streams.-reconnect_streamedpermits reconnect attempts for streamed, non-seekable inputs.-reconnect_on_network_errorcovers TCP/TLS errors during connection.-reconnect_on_http_errorenables retries for specified HTTP status codes or classes, such as4xxor5xx.-reconnect_delay_max,-reconnect_max_retries, and-reconnect_delay_total_maxcan limit the maximum delay, retry count, or total retry delay.-respect_retry_aftercan honor a server’sRetry-Afterheader when enabled.
These are HTTP protocol input options, not universal switches for a network output. See the official FFmpeg Protocols Documentation for the options and their supported values. Reconnection is not guaranteed: it depends on the protocol, server, network, stream availability, and installed build.
If FFmpeg exits, restart the process outside FFmpeg
FIFO output recovery works while FFmpeg is running. If the process terminates, use an external service manager or restart loop to launch a new process. Configure that supervisor to detect a failed process, wait before retrying, and avoid an uncontrolled rapid-restart cycle. The exact configuration depends on the operating system and supervisor, so there is no single portable command to give here.
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Also decide what the new process should do with the source. A fresh invocation may begin a local relaxation file at its start; process supervision alone does not preserve playback position. A restart policy cannot recover a source or destination that remains unavailable.
Set retry behavior deliberately
- Finite or unlimited: FIFO’s
-max_recovery_attemptslets you choose a bounded retry count or, with0in the example, unlimited attempts. HTTP inputs have separate retry controls, including maximum retries and delay limits. - Transient or persistent errors: The FIFO option
recover_any_errorbroadens recovery attempts to errors beyond the default recovery conditions. Avoid enabling it indiscriminately: some errors are not transient, and retrying them may not help. - Check option support: Confirm the option names and behavior against the installed FFmpeg build. The official online documentation tracks the newest revision and may not exactly match an older binary.
Troubleshooting a stream that still stops
- The file ends instead of looping: Check that
-stream_loop -1precedes the local file’s-i. It loops that input only; it does not reconnect an output. - The source will not reconnect: Confirm it is an HTTP input and that the chosen protocol options precede its
-i. Check whether the source is still available and whether the installed build supports those options. - The publishing output will not recover: Confirm the output uses FIFO, the underlying format is specified with
-fifo_format, and the retry settings are supported by your build. Recovery attempts can fail permanently if the destination or network remains unavailable. - FFmpeg does not come back after a crash: FIFO cannot restart an exited process. Configure an external supervisor to relaunch it.
- The destination rejects the stream: The example’s stream-copy and FLV/RTMP assumptions may not match the target. Check the destination’s required protocol, container, and codecs; select compatible encoding settings if stream copy is not accepted.
- Playback restarts at the beginning: A supervisor launching a fresh command does not by itself preserve the previous position in a local file.
Protect the content and publishing credentials
Use relaxation audio and video that you have permission to stream, and review the destination’s current rules for copyrighted and reused content before publishing. Treat the stream key embedded in the destination URL as a credential: do not publish the command, logs, or configuration with a live key exposed. If a key is disclosed, replace it through the destination’s controls.
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