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Keep OBS connected to YouTube and streaming; change the scene or media source in OBS to change what viewers see. Do not click Stop Streaming in OBS or End Stream in YouTube Live Control Room. For a controlled change, prepare the next scene in Studio Mode’s Preview pane, then click Transition to send it to the live Program output.
Switch videos while keeping the YouTube broadcast live
YouTube receives the encoder’s outgoing feed. Changing the video or scene in the encoder changes that feed without requiring you to end the YouTube broadcast, as long as the encoder session stays connected. In OBS, prepare each clip or program segment as a scene with a Media Source, then switch scenes while streaming.
OBS’s labels and layout can vary by installed version. The OBS documentation describes scenes, Studio Mode, and transitions in its OBS Studio Overview Guide.
Set up clips in OBS before going live
- Connect OBS to YouTube. Create or select the YouTube stream and enter the stream URL and stream key in OBS’s streaming settings. YouTube identifies these as the connection details an encoder needs to send its feed. Follow YouTube’s encoder setup instructions and stream settings guidance. Keep the stream key private.
- Create a scene for each clip or segment. In OBS, add a scene, then add the clip as a Media Source. OBS documents local video formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, and WebM. You can also make a holding scene for a slate, intermission graphic, or other content between clips. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
- Choose playback behavior for each Media Source. Set whether it loops, restarts when activated, shows nothing when playback ends, or stays loaded while inactive. The option called Close file when inactive can free memory, but OBS warns that reopening a source may cause a short delay. Leave it off if minimizing reload delay matters and your computer has enough resources.
- Start streaming and check the output. Confirm the picture and sound in OBS and check YouTube’s preview before relying on the stream. YouTube recommends testing the encoder and monitoring audio and video quality during the event; see its live-stream tips and encoder settings guidance.
Switch a clip or scene during the broadcast
Direct scene switch
While OBS is streaming, select the scene you want to show. The scene change updates the encoder’s output; leave the streaming session running. This is the quickest option when you are confident the next scene is ready.
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Prepare the change with Studio Mode
- In OBS, enable Studio Mode.
- Select the next scene and check it in Preview. The live audience still sees the Program output.
- When the scene is ready, click Transition. OBS sends the prepared scene to Program/live output.
OBS says viewers cannot see that Studio Mode is enabled. Preview gives you a chance to check framing and content before the transition.
Controls that end the stream—and controls that do not
Switching a scene changes what the encoder sends; it is not the same as ending the broadcast. Do not use OBS’s Stop Streaming control or YouTube Live Control Room’s End Stream action when changing clips. YouTube’s encoder instructions describe ending a stream as stopping the content sent from the encoder and, for scheduled streams, selecting End Stream in Live Control Room.
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If you have not used the controls before, rehearse with a private or unlisted test stream rather than experimenting during a public broadcast.
Prevent playback and transition problems
- A clip does not replay: Check the Media Source’s loop and restart settings. Choose whether it should restart when activated or stop when playback ends.
- A clip appears late after a switch: If Close file when inactive is enabled, OBS may need time to reopen the file. Keeping it loaded can reduce reload delay, at the cost of using more resources.
- The wrong scene appears on air: In Studio Mode, confirm the intended scene is in Preview, then use Transition to send it to Program. Preview alone does not change the live output.
- The change has a gap or audio issue: No cited source guarantees a zero-gap transition for every computer, file, or audio setup. Test the actual clips and sound configuration in advance, then monitor the outgoing stream during the broadcast.
- The feed drops instead of switching: Check OBS’s outgoing picture and sound and YouTube’s stream health. YouTube recommends testing the encoder and monitoring the stream; a scene change should not require ending or restarting the encoder session.
Plan long broadcasts and archives carefully
YouTube’s encoder instructions say streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement does not establish that an uninterrupted event can run indefinitely or what happens to an archive for a stream lasting 12 hours or more. For a long-running broadcast, check YouTube’s current limits and arrange a separate recording or archive plan rather than assuming a longer stream will be archived automatically.
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Choose an encoder that fits the production
OBS is a software encoder option for local clips and scene changes. When comparing encoders, consider operating-system support, scene and media controls, audio routing, stability, and whether the tool keeps the same output session connected. YouTube also lists verified live encoders and notes that hardware encoders can suit higher-production events. Its verified-encoder list is compatibility information, not a YouTube endorsement. A capture card is relevant when bringing an external camera, console, or other HDMI source into OBS; it is not needed just to play local video files. See YouTube’s encoder information and OBS’s Sources Guide.
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