For a single gaming video, add an OBS Media Source, select the local file, and turn on Loop. Keep the source visible in the scene you send to YouTube. For a rerun made from multiple files, use VLC Video Source and enable Loop Playlist. Looping controls playback; it does not guarantee that YouTube archives a long stream or that the content qualifies for monetization.
Set up one video to loop in OBS
- In OBS, choose the scene that will go live. Under Sources, click + and select Media Source. Create a new source or select an existing one.
- In the source properties, enable Local File if shown, then browse to and select the gaming video. OBS documents support for containers including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV. Compatibility can depend on the file and the installed system.
- Turn on Loop. OBS documents this as the control that plays the file again after playback completes; its default is Off. The official OBS Media Sources documentation, dated January 11, 2022, describes the setting at OBS Media Sources.
- Make sure the source is visible in the scene being sent to YouTube. Start playback and watch through the end once to confirm the file restarts as intended.
Loop and Restart playback when source becomes active do different jobs. Loop repeats the file at its end. Restart playback when source becomes active restarts it when the source is in the current scene and visible; OBS documents this option as On by default. If you hide and show the source or switch scenes, test the behavior on your installed OBS version rather than assuming it will preserve or restart at a particular point.
Optional Media Source controls
- Show nothing when playback ends hides the source when the file ends. With Loop enabled, the source should not normally reach an unlooped end.
- Close file when inactive unloads the file while the source is hidden. OBS notes that reloading can cause a short delay.
Loop a playlist of gaming videos
- Install VLC before adding the source. In OBS, add VLC Video Source from the Sources menu and create or select the source.
- Add the files in the desired order. Enable Loop Playlist so playback starts over after the playlist ends. OBS documents this setting as enabled by default.
- Check Shuffle Playlist if you want randomized playback, and review Visibility Behaviour if the playlist should keep playing while hidden. Test scene changes and visibility behavior with your actual setup.
VLC Video Source uses VLC libraries for extended media support and requires VLC to be installed. If you use 64-bit OBS, OBS says you need 64-bit VLC. The OBS documentation is at OBS Media Sources.
Choose the source that fits the rerun
| Need | Use | Key setting or trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat one local video | Media Source | Enable Loop; it is built into OBS and does not require VLC. |
| Rotate through multiple files | VLC Video Source | Enable Loop Playlist; VLC must be installed, with a matching 64-bit installation for 64-bit OBS. |
| Restart a clip after hiding and showing it | Either, with activation behavior checked | Restart playback when source becomes active controls restart on activation; it is not the end-of-file loop setting. |
Send the OBS scene to YouTube
YouTube accepts streams sent through an encoder. The channel must be verified and must not have live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days, according to YouTube’s live-streaming help. Set up the stream in YouTube Studio, copy the stream key, and enter it in OBS’s stream settings; treat the key like a password and do not publish or share it. YouTube’s setup guidance and current requirements are on its linked help page.
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Before going live, confirm that OBS is outputting the intended scene and that the looping source is playing. OBS settings determine what media repeats; they do not override YouTube’s channel eligibility, content rules, or archive behavior.
Plan for archives, rights, and monetization
A live stream over 12 hours may not be archived
YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. If preserving the full rerun matters, make a local recording as a backup rather than relying on YouTube’s archive. See YouTube Help: Archive live streams (accessed October 3, 2026).
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Confirm rights for everything in the broadcast
YouTube’s Live Stream Terms and Conditions make the provider responsible for having the rights needed for the live content, including relevant music rights. Check the rights for game footage, soundtrack, overlays, and any other third-party material. The fact that a game or track is available to play does not by itself establish permission to broadcast it.
Technical looping does not establish monetization eligibility
YouTube’s monetization policy update dated July 15, 2025 clarifies that monetized content should be original and authentic, not mass-produced or repetitive. Repetitive material with little variation and minimal educational, narrative, or commentary value may not be eligible. A loop checkbox cannot determine whether a particular gaming rerun or channel meets the policy; review the current YouTube channel monetization policies. YouTube also notes that ad slots are not guaranteed to serve, so a continuous stream does not guarantee ad revenue.
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Troubleshoot common rerun problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video stops at the end | Loop is off, or the wrong source is being used. | Open Media Source properties and enable Loop. For a playlist, enable Loop Playlist. |
| The clip restarts when a scene or source is activated | Restart playback when source becomes active is on. | Check that setting if you want different activation behavior, then test scene visibility and transitions on your installed version. |
| The VLC source is missing or does not load | VLC may not be installed or may not match OBS architecture. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC, as OBS specifies. |
| The video disappears or pauses after switching scenes | Source visibility behavior or unloading settings may affect playback. | Review Visibility Behaviour for VLC Video Source and Close file when inactive for Media Source; test the intended scene changes. |
| The YouTube stream does not start | The channel may not meet YouTube’s current streaming requirements, or the encoder/key setup may be wrong. | Check channel verification and restrictions in YouTube’s live-streaming help, then confirm OBS is using the current stream key. |
| The live stream exists but no complete archive appears | The stream exceeded 12 hours; YouTube says such a stream may not be captured. | Use a local recording if you need a complete copy. |
Or let it run in the cloud
OBS can loop a local file, but a PC-based stream depends on that computer and its connection staying available. StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer can be off; StreamNeo loops the upload and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Each slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with 10 GB storage per slot pooled across active slots, playlists, and support. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. UPI and cards are available in India; card checkout is available worldwide. See StreamNeo pricing for the available billing lengths and the copyright safety checklist before streaming third-party content. Start the free first day with StreamNeo.
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