OBS cannot keep streaming after the computer running it goes to sleep or shuts down. To keep a local OBS stream live, prevent the PC from sleeping while it is plugged in, but let the screen turn off separately if you want. In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts and set the plugged-in sleep timeout to Never. This fixes interruptions caused by sleep—not network drops, OBS crashes, power loss, or other failures.
Keep Windows awake while OBS streams
OBS encodes and sends the stream from the computer on which it is running. When that computer sleeps, the local encoder stops operating, so OBS cannot continue sending video. An OBS Project forum administrator likewise explains that the PC must be fully on to stream: OBS Project forum discussion.
Windows 11 steps
- Open Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts. Microsoft documents these controls for Windows 11; labels and availability may vary by device or Windows version. See Microsoft’s Windows 11 power settings guide.
- Under When plugged in, set the sleep timeout to Never for a continuous stream. Alternatively, choose a timeout longer than the planned stream, but the stream will stop if the PC eventually sleeps.
- Set the screen timeout separately if you want the monitor to turn off. A screen that is off is not the same as a sleeping computer: the display can turn off while the PC continues running OBS.
- Leave the computer powered, connected to the internet, and OBS open and streaming. Do not shut down or sleep the machine.
Microsoft notes that these settings control when the screen turns off and the device goes to sleep. The cited navigation applies to Windows 11, not every Windows release; older versions use different menus.
If the stream still stops, identify which part failed
Disabling sleep addresses only one possible interruption. A PC can remain awake while the broadcast still loses connection, or YouTube can end a broadcast in response to encoder behavior. Check the symptom before changing settings.
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OBS is open, but frames drop or the stream disconnects
Check OBS stream health and the stability of the internet connection, including whether available upload capacity can sustain the configured bitrate. OBS identifies connection instability and insufficient capacity for the configured bitrate as causes of dropped frames and possible disconnections. Follow its stream connection troubleshooting guide (dated 2024-09-30). This is a network or stream-connection issue, not proof that the PC slept.
The YouTube broadcast starts or ends with encoder activity
YouTube Studio’s auto-start and auto-stop options control broadcast behavior when the encoder starts or stops streaming. They do not prevent Windows from sleeping. Review them in YouTube’s live stream settings guidance if the broadcast behavior does not match your intended start and stop workflow. A YouTube community guide also describes scheduled broadcast behavior and auto-stop: OBS Studio guide for streaming to YouTube.
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The PC unexpectedly sleeps or powers off
- Recheck the plugged-in sleep timeout and make sure the computer is actually plugged in.
- Confirm the screen-off setting was not mistaken for the sleep setting.
- If the PC is off rather than merely asleep, check for a power interruption or restart; OBS cannot send a stream while the host computer is off.
Long-duration streaming can also be interrupted by power loss, a network failure, an operating-system restart, an OBS crash, or a failed video source. Preventing sleep does not guarantee uninterrupted operation.
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