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To play local videos in a random order on YouTube Live, add an OBS VLC Video Source, load your video files into its playlist, and enable Shuffle Playlist in the source properties. Shuffle controls the order; Loop Playlist separately controls whether playback starts over after the last item. OBS sends the scene output to your stream destination, but shuffle itself does not configure YouTube Live.
What you need
- OBS Studio with the scene you plan to stream.
- VLC media player installed on the same computer. The VLC Video Source requires VLC to appear in OBS; if you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC.
- Local video files you are allowed to stream, with enough time to test their picture and sound.
OBS’s built-in VLC Video Source supports multiple media items in a playlist; the standard Media Source is for a single file. If VLC Video Source is missing, check that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS. Reopen OBS after installing VLC if the source still does not appear.
Add the playlist and turn on shuffle
- Open the OBS scene intended for the broadcast. In the Sources dock, click + and choose VLC Video Source. OBS’s Sources Guide explains adding sources from this dock.
- Create a new source or select an existing one. In its properties, add the local video files to the playlist. OBS supports the playlist here; exact control labels for adding files may vary by installed version.
- Enable Shuffle Playlist. Its documented default is off, so the files otherwise play in their listed order.
- Choose Loop Playlist independently. Leave it on if playback should restart after the final item; turn it off if the playlist should stop when it runs out. OBS documents Loop Playlist as on by default.
- Check the source’s visibility behavior. The documented default is to stop when the source is not visible and restart when it becomes visible. If your scene switches between sources, make sure this behavior matches the broadcast you want.
- Apply the properties, then watch the scene preview through enough transitions to confirm the source is visible and the files play correctly.
Test the stream before going live
OBS’s Quick Start Guide strongly recommends a short test before a first stream. Start a test broadcast and check that the intended YouTube destination receives the output, the video is visible, audio is audible, and scene transitions do not interrupt playback. OBS shuffle only determines the playlist order; it does not create or connect a YouTube stream key. Follow YouTube’s current live-stream setup for the destination and connection details.
Troubleshooting
- VLC Video Source is not in the Sources menu: Install VLC and confirm its architecture matches OBS (64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC). Reopen OBS and check again.
- Files play in list order: Open the source properties and explicitly enable Shuffle Playlist; it is off by default.
- Playback ends instead of repeating: Enable Loop Playlist. Shuffle and looping are separate controls.
- A clip stops or restarts after a scene change: Review the source’s visibility behavior. Its documented default is to stop while hidden and restart when visible.
- The preview works but the live destination does not: Check the YouTube destination and stream connection separately. The OBS playlist source does not configure YouTube Live.
Optional alternative: Media Playlist Source
The OBS forum’s third-party Media Playlist Source is another option for shuffled playback. Its resource listing describes playlist and folder management features. The listing specifies OBS 31 as the minimum version for plugin version 0.1.0 and later, and shows version 0.1.3 updated April 13, 2025. Check the resource page for the current version, compatibility, and installation instructions before installing; unlike VLC Video Source, it is a separately maintained plugin.
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Or let it run in the cloud
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Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
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Rank #3
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Rank #2
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