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For an OBS stream that sends a pre-recorded video to YouTube, use a supported hardware encoder, set the streaming output to CBR, set the keyframe interval to 2 seconds, and match the bitrate to YouTube’s current recommendation for your codec, resolution, and frame rate. For a common SDR stream at 1080p30, YouTube recommends 14 Mbps for H.264 or 10 Mbps for AV1 or H.265/HEVC. These are ingest recommendations, not a guarantee of uninterrupted streaming: sustained upload capacity, headroom, and monitoring still matter.
Recommended OBS settings for a continuous YouTube stream
In OBS, configure the streaming output separately from recording. Choose a hardware encoder that is supported by your installed OBS build, operating system, and GPU or platform. YouTube recommends RTMPS ingestion and supports H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1; use a codec that both your encoder and YouTube ingest path support.
| Setting | Recommended starting point | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder | A supported hardware option, such as NVIDIA NVENC, AMD AMF, Intel QSV, or Apple VideoToolbox, if available in your OBS build | Hardware encoding moves the encoding workload away from the CPU. Availability and compatibility vary by hardware and operating system. |
| Rate control | CBR | YouTube specifies constant bitrate for RTMP/RTMPS live ingestion. |
| Keyframe interval | 2 seconds | YouTube says not to exceed 4 seconds. |
| Bitrate | Use YouTube’s value for the chosen codec, resolution, and frame rate | A suitable value depends on all three; a faster frame rate or different codec changes the recommendation. |
| Audio | AAC or MP3; 128 Kbps stereo | These are among YouTube’s listed RTMP/RTMPS audio settings. |
| Picture format | Progressive scan, square pixels; Rec. 709 for SDR | These are among YouTube’s listed video-format settings. |
OBS’s Hardware Encoding guidance generally recommends NVENC or AMF when the system has a corresponding NVIDIA or AMD GPU rather than choosing Intel QSV by default. That is a general selection guideline, not a ranking of GPU models or a 24/7 reliability guarantee. Select what is actually available and test it on the target machine.
Choose bitrate by codec, resolution, and frame rate
The following examples are YouTube Help recommendations for SDR live encoding, accessed October 3, 2026. They are platform guidance values, not measured results or a promise that your encoder or internet connection can sustain them.
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| Resolution and frame rate | H.264 | AV1 or H.265/HEVC |
|---|---|---|
| 720p30 | 8 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | 14 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 17 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
Check YouTube’s live encoder settings when configuring the stream because its table may change and includes combinations beyond these examples. If your selected resolution or frame rate is not shown above, use the matching entry in YouTube’s table rather than extrapolating from these values.
Set up the OBS streaming output
- Open the streaming output settings. In OBS, open Settings → Output. If Output Mode is set to Simple, choose Advanced so you can configure the streaming encoder and its rate control directly.
- Select the streaming encoder. Under the streaming output, choose a hardware encoder that appears in your installed OBS version and supports your desired codec. OBS documents NVIDIA NVENC, AMD AMF, Intel QSV, and Apple VideoToolbox; the options shown depend on system compatibility. Do not assume that every computer exposes every encoder or codec.
- Set rate control and keyframes. Choose CBR for Rate Control and set the keyframe interval to 2 s. YouTube’s stated maximum is 4 seconds.
- Set codec and bitrate. Pick a supported codec, resolution, and frame rate, then enter the corresponding bitrate from YouTube’s table. Set the video output to progressive scan and square pixels; use Rec. 709 for SDR. Confirm the video frame rate is within YouTube’s listed support, which goes up to 60 fps.
- Configure audio. Use AAC or MP3 audio and set stereo audio to 128 Kbps in line with YouTube’s RTMP/RTMPS guidance.
- Connect OBS to the correct YouTube stream. In YouTube’s encoder setup, copy the stream URL and stream key into OBS’s streaming settings. The key directs the encoder feed to the intended live stream; treat it like a password and do not share or publish it. Follow YouTube’s current encoder streaming setup instructions for the stream you are creating.
Keep streaming and recording settings separate
OBS recording presets solve a different problem from YouTube live ingestion. OBS’s Advanced Recording Settings Guide uses constant-QP (CQP) in its NVENC recording examples, while YouTube’s live guidance calls for CBR. Do not copy a recording rate-control recommendation into the streaming output simply because both settings are in OBS. The recording examples are not universal live-stream prescriptions.
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OBS 31.0 introduced additional NVENC controls, according to its Advanced NVENC Options page. Which controls apply varies by codec and use case. Treat those options as advanced adjustments, not prerequisites for a stable long-running stream; start with the platform’s baseline ingest settings before changing optional controls.
Check upload capacity and test the actual feed
A bitrate setting only works if the connection can sustain it. YouTube recommends maintaining 20% upload headroom. Account for other network traffic and, if you use them, both primary and backup feeds. A connection that barely matches the selected video bitrate can be vulnerable to shared use or disruption.
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- Before going live for an extended run, test the same video, audio, resolution, frame rate, and encoder settings you plan to use.
- Preview the stream in YouTube Live Control Room and check its stream health and any displayed messages.
- If you see instability, check the connection and available upload capacity, reduce the selected bitrate or output demands as needed, and test again. The YouTube recommendations do not guarantee that a particular setup will stay live 24/7.
Troubleshooting common settings problems
- Your intended hardware encoder or codec is missing in OBS: OBS only exposes options supported by the installed build and system. Check the GPU or platform, operating-system compatibility, and OBS version; choose an encoder actually listed in the streaming output rather than assuming a particular codec is available.
- YouTube reports an ingest or stream-health problem: Confirm CBR, a 2-second keyframe interval, the correct stream URL and key, and a bitrate that matches the selected codec, resolution, and frame rate. Review the Live Control Room message and YouTube’s current encoder settings.
- The feed drops or becomes unstable during a long run: Check sustained upload capacity, competing network use, and the recommended 20% headroom. Test the real feed and monitor stream health; no encoder setting by itself establishes 24/7 continuity.
- A copied OBS preset uses CQP: Check whether the preset is for recording. OBS recording guidance may use CQP for NVENC, but YouTube live ingestion calls for CBR.
- You changed advanced NVENC controls and the result worsened: Return to the baseline settings and test again. Advanced options vary by codec and use case, and are not required as a starting point for continuous streaming.
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