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To stream a playlist of prerecorded videos from a Windows 11 PC, install OBS Studio and VLC, add the files to an OBS VLC Video Source in playback order, enable Loop Playlist, then connect OBS to a YouTube Live encoder stream using its stream URL and key. The stream runs only while the PC, files, power and internet connection remain available. If you do not want a computer running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud option described below.
What you need before setting up the playlist
- A Windows 11 PC capable of encoding your chosen resolution and frame rate continuously.
- OBS Studio and VLC installed. Match VLC’s architecture to OBS: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. OBS’s VLC Video Source is unavailable until VLC is installed.
- Local video files that you have the right to stream. Keep them available at the same paths while OBS is using them.
- A YouTube channel with live streaming enabled and a stable upload connection suitable for your chosen bitrate.
First-time live-stream enablement on YouTube may take up to 24 hours. Allow for that delay before scheduling a launch.
Build and test a looping playlist in OBS
- Install OBS Studio and VLC. If you already have OBS, check whether it is 64-bit and install the corresponding 64-bit VLC version if needed.
- Create a scene. In OBS, use the Scenes panel to add a scene for this broadcast. Set up the scene’s canvas and output dimensions to match your intended stream resolution.
- Add the playlist source. In the Sources panel, select + and choose VLC Video Source. If that source is missing, confirm that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS.
- Add files in the intended order. In the VLC source properties, add the local video files in the sequence you want viewers to see them. Enable Loop Playlist. Leave Shuffle Playlist off for a fixed sequence; turn it on only if you want playback order randomized. The documented defaults are loop on and shuffle off.
- Test the full cycle locally. Start playback in OBS and verify that every file appears, audio is audible, transitions between files work, and the sequence starts over after the last file. Fix missing or moved files before connecting to YouTube.
OBS’s built-in Media Source is for looping one local media file. For a playlist of multiple files, use VLC Video Source.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio. Create or schedule an encoder stream in the live-streaming workflow. If the channel has never streamed live, enable the feature and account for the possible activation delay.
- Copy the encoder details. In the stream setup, copy the stream URL and stream key. The key is a credential that directs your encoder feed to the right stream; keep it private, like a password. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube Studio before continuing.
- Enter them in OBS. Open Settings > Stream, select YouTube and the available RTMPS option, then enter the stream URL and key as prompted. Keep the key out of screenshots, public posts and shared scene collections.
- Apply encoder settings. In Settings > Output, choose an encoder and bitrate your PC and upload connection can sustain. In Settings > Video, set the intended output resolution and frame rate. Use YouTube’s current encoder recommendations as the reference; the example below is for SDR H.264.
- Start with an unlisted test. Start streaming from OBS and check the YouTube Live Control Room preview and stream health before making the stream public. Confirm that the video and audio are present and stable.
Choose a quality your setup can hold
YouTube recommends RTMPS, constant bitrate (CBR), and a two-second keyframe interval; the keyframe interval should not exceed four seconds. Its published H.264 video bitrate recommendations include these 1080p settings:
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| Output | Recommended video bitrate | Other encoder settings |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | CBR; two-second keyframes recommended, maximum four seconds; RTMPS recommended |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 17 Mbps recommended; 6 Mbps minimum | CBR; two-second keyframes recommended, maximum four seconds; RTMPS recommended |
These are YouTube’s published encoder recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular PC or connection can sustain the stream. Choose a lower output if encoding or upload bandwidth is unstable, and check the current YouTube encoder guidance when configuring a stream because recommendations can change. Bitrate here refers to video; set audio and encoder options using YouTube’s current guidance and your chosen encoder.
Keep the local OBS stream running
OBS encodes and sends the feed from your PC, so uninterrupted operation depends on local conditions rather than a guaranteed service uptime. Before leaving the stream unattended:
- Prevent Windows from sleeping or hibernating during the broadcast, and keep the PC connected to reliable power.
- Provide adequate ventilation and monitor temperatures during a longer test run.
- Use a stable internet connection with enough upload capacity for the selected bitrate, including headroom for normal variation.
- Do not move or rename playlist files while OBS is using them. Confirm the files remain accessible after a restart.
- Check OBS and YouTube’s stream health periodically, especially after changing settings or reconnecting.
A PC restart, power interruption, internet outage, missing media file or encoding problem can interrupt a locally run stream. Test the complete setup before relying on it for an extended broadcast.
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Plan separately for the live feed and its replay
YouTube’s archive guidance distinguishes stream duration from replay capture: streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, but a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. That warning is not a stated maximum duration for sending an encoder feed. If a complete replay matters, do not rely on a continuous 24/7 YouTube archive; configure OBS local recording or another local archive backup, and make sure the PC has enough storage. YouTube recommends keeping a local archive backup.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesAnother option is to divide the broadcast into shorter sessions if having YouTube-generated replays matters more than maintaining one uninterrupted stream. That approach creates separate streams rather than one continuous broadcast, so decide which outcome is more important before going live.
Copyright, permissions and monetization checks
Only stream videos and audio you are authorized to use. A playlist’s being prerecorded, publicly available or already uploaded elsewhere does not by itself establish that you have live-streaming rights. Check licenses and permissions for every video, music track, image and other included element, and retain documentation where relevant. Copyright claims or other YouTube policy issues can affect a live broadcast and its availability.
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Permission to stream material and eligibility for monetization are separate questions. Reusing content does not automatically make a channel eligible for monetization, even if the content can legally be streamed; review YouTube’s current copyright and monetization policies for your situation.
When a cloud stream is a better fit
If keeping a Windows PC running is inconvenient, StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for looping uploaded videos. You upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Its cloud playback means your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
- Each slot runs one always-on stream, supports looping and playlists, and includes 10 GB of storage per slot, pooled across active slots.
- Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K at 60 fps, with no re-encode and no quality tiers; every plan has the same product, with billing length as the difference.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, once per account. Billing options are a day, a week, a month, six months or a year; cancel any time. UPI and cards are accepted in India, and card checkout is available worldwide. For five or more slots, contact support.
Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. For the available billing periods, visit StreamNeo pricing.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting common problems
VLC Video Source does not appear
Install VLC, then confirm its architecture matches OBS. The documented requirement for 64-bit OBS is 64-bit VLC. Reopen OBS after installing VLC if the source still does not show.
The playlist stops after one file
Open the VLC Video Source properties and check that multiple files are present and Loop Playlist is enabled. If the order changes unexpectedly, turn off Shuffle Playlist.
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A file is black, silent or missing
Check that the file still exists at the saved path, that the playlist points to the intended file, and that the source and audio are not muted. Test each item locally before going live; avoid moving or renaming files during the stream.
YouTube does not receive the OBS feed
Verify the stream URL and key in Settings > Stream, confirm that the correct YouTube stream is selected, and check YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. Treat the key as a credential; if it was exposed, replace it in YouTube Studio and update OBS with the new one.
The stream reports poor health or disconnects
Check upload stability and whether the connection can sustain the selected bitrate. Reduce output resolution, frame rate or bitrate if needed, then test again. Confirm the encoder uses CBR and a keyframe interval of two seconds, no more than four seconds, and use RTMPS where available.
The stream is live but no complete replay appears
Check how long the session ran. YouTube warns that a stream longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. For a replay you need to keep, use an OBS local recording or other local backup rather than assuming YouTube will archive a 24-hour stream.
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