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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteTo hear a playlist locally while its audio still goes to your YouTube stream, set that source to Monitoring Enabled (called “Monitor and Output” in some OBS versions), then choose the playback device under OBS’s monitoring-device setting. Do not choose “Monitor Only (mute output)” if viewers must keep hearing the source. Monitoring lets you hear the audio; it does not make a playlist loop or keep a stream live on its own.
Set a playlist source to play locally and stay in the stream
- In OBS, find the playlist’s audio source in the audio mixer and open Advanced Audio Properties.
- For that source, select Monitoring Enabled, or the equivalent “Monitor and Output” option in your installed version. This sends the source to your monitoring device while leaving it in the stream output.
- Open OBS audio settings and select the monitoring device you want to hear through. OBS’s Audio Mixer Guide describes the monitor control as playing the source through the device configured in Settings.
- Play the playlist and confirm that the source meter moves. Listen to the monitored signal before relying on it as your cue for a transition.
Wired headphones are an optional way to listen through the selected device; new headphones are not required if your existing playback device works.
Choose the right monitoring mode
| OBS mode | What you hear | What viewers hear |
|---|---|---|
| Monitor Off | No local monitoring is requested. | The source remains in stream output. |
| Monitor Only (mute output) | The source plays through the monitoring device. | The source is muted from output; do not use this if it must remain in the stream. |
| Monitoring Enabled / Monitor and Output | The source plays through the monitoring device. | The source remains in output. |
OBS’s English interface labels can vary by version. Check the wording in your installed build, especially if the mode names differ.
Prevent echo and check the audio before going live
If the selected monitoring device is also captured by OBS as desktop or application audio, the same signal can enter the mix twice. That may sound like an echo or a hollow duplicate. If this happens, use a separate playback device or a carefully configured virtual audio route so the monitored signal is not captured again.
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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- Watch the source meter during playback; OBS says its red zone is near clipping.
- Listen to the source early, then listen again through OBS rather than relying only on YouTube playback, which may be delayed.
- Make a recording of a normal session and listen back before going live.
- For stereo sources, check both left and right meters. OBS defaults to stereo, and its application settings can change the channel configuration.
What local monitoring does—and does not—solve
Monitoring is useful when you need to hear a playlist locally, including to judge when a video is nearing its end. It controls where that source’s audio is played; it does not configure playlist looping, automate source changes, handle reconnection, or guarantee uninterrupted 24/7 operation.
YouTube’s HLS setup guidance concerns HLS ingestion rather than OBS local monitoring or playlist looping. Its segment and audio configuration values apply to HLS, not as general recommendations for an OBS RTMP playlist stream. HLS also has higher latency than RTMP because it sends video in segments. See YouTube’s HLS setup guidance for that protocol’s requirements.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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Or let it run in the cloud
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
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