You can make OBS open when you sign in to Windows and tell it to start streaming by adding OBS’s --startstreaming launch parameter to a shortcut, then placing that shortcut in Windows’ Startup folder. That only starts OBS’s encoder output; YouTube must be ready to receive it, and the playlist must already be playing with its video and audio captured by OBS. Configure and rehearse each part manually before relying on it unattended.
What needs to happen for this to work
This setup joins four separate pieces: Windows launches OBS at sign-in, OBS opens the intended profile and scene, the encoder connects to the intended YouTube broadcast, and OBS captures a playlist that is playing and looping. An OBS launch parameter can automate the first two actions, but it does not by itself choose a YouTube broadcast, start playlist playback, or guarantee that YouTube publishes the stream.
Prepare OBS and YouTube first
Choose starting stream settings
In OBS, run the Auto-Configuration Wizard if you need help choosing initial settings. It takes available computer resources and network conditions into account, so treat its result as a starting point and verify the stream on your own connection rather than assuming one bitrate or resolution fits every PC. See the OBS streaming documentation.
Connect to the correct YouTube channel
YouTube requires live-stream eligibility for the channel. If live streaming has never been enabled, activation may take up to 24 hours. In OBS, select the YouTube service integration if it is available in your installed version, or use YouTube’s encoder stream URL and key in OBS’s stream settings. The integration can simplify setup; entering the URL and key is an alternative when the integration is unavailable or you prefer manual connection. Keep the stream key private.
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Use YouTube’s encoder setup instructions and check the actual channel and broadcast in YouTube Studio. Confirm which broadcast OBS is targeting, and whether YouTube will publish automatically or requires a separate Studio action. Controls and behavior can depend on the channel and current Studio interface, so do not assume that starting OBS makes a stream public.
Make OBS open and start streaming at Windows sign-in
Add the streaming launch parameter
- Create or locate a shortcut to OBS. Right-click the shortcut and open Properties.
- In the Shortcut tab, edit Target. Keep the existing path to
obs64.exe, then add a space and--startstreamingafter the closing quotation mark. For example:"C:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bitobs64.exe" --startstreaming. Your OBS installation path may differ. - For a scheduled or otherwise automated launch, set Start in to the folder containing
obs64.exe. OBS specifically calls out this working-directory setting for automated launches. - Select Apply, then OK. Test the shortcut by opening it manually and confirm OBS starts its stream output as expected.
The --startstreaming parameter tells OBS to start streaming when it launches; it does not start your playlist or decide whether YouTube should publish the broadcast. See OBS’s Launch Parameters documentation.
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Put the shortcut in the Windows Startup folder
- Press
Windows + R, entershell:startup, and pressEnter. This opens the Startup folder for the current Windows user. - Copy or move the tested OBS shortcut into that folder. Use the per-user folder if only your Windows account needs to launch OBS at sign-in.
- Sign out and back in, or restart Windows, to check that the shortcut launches OBS. If a different account signs in, its Startup folder will need the shortcut too.
This is a Windows shortcut workflow, not an OBS setting. Test it with the same Windows account and OBS profile you plan to use.
Play and capture the YouTube playlist
Start playback and enable playlist looping
- Open the intended playlist on YouTube and start playback.
- On desktop YouTube, use the Loop control in the playlist box to repeat the playlist. YouTube documents this playlist control in its playlist help.
- In OBS, confirm the scene captures the playlist’s picture and that the audio meter responds to its sound. The appropriate capture source and Windows audio routing depend on how playback is presented on your system; verify both rather than assuming a video source also captures audio.
The documented playlist loop control establishes that a playlist can repeat in YouTube’s player; it does not make OBS capture it or establish that an embedded player is a reliable unattended streaming method. Whatever capture method you choose, test it on the actual Windows setup.
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Rehearse before leaving it unattended
- Run the setup manually once, then restart Windows or sign out and back in to test the Startup shortcut.
- Confirm OBS opens with the intended profile and scene, and that the playlist is playing, advancing and looping.
- Check in YouTube Studio that the intended broadcast receives both video and audio. Determine whether it is only receiving encoder data or is actually public.
- Verify that you have permission to rebroadcast every item in the playlist, including music and other third-party material.
YouTube scans live streams for third-party content. A match can interrupt or terminate a stream, and having a licence may not be enough if the rights owner has not allowlisted your channel through Content ID. Review YouTube’s copyright guidance for live streams and confirm that the permission covers the live broadcast and any resulting archive.
Troubleshooting
- OBS opens, but streaming does not start: Recheck the shortcut’s Target spelling and placement of
--startstreaming. Open OBS manually and confirm that its stream connection and the chosen YouTube broadcast work before retesting startup. - OBS does not open from Startup: Confirm the shortcut is in the current user’s Startup folder and that it works when opened directly. For automated launches, set Start in to the folder containing
obs64.exe. - YouTube does not receive the stream: Check that live streaming is enabled for the channel, the correct service or stream URL and key are configured, and the intended broadcast is selected. First-time enablement can take up to 24 hours.
- The stream arrives but is not public: Check YouTube Studio for the broadcast’s status and any required confirmation or auto-start behavior. OBS sending encoder data is not proof that YouTube has published the stream.
- Video appears without sound, or the capture is blank: Verify the OBS source captures the active playlist window or player and inspect the audio meter while it plays. Revisit the source and audio-routing setup for that Windows system.
- The stream is interrupted: Check YouTube Studio for a third-party-content warning. Resolve rights or Content ID allowlisting with the rights owner; do not assume that a general licence prevents a live interruption.
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