To loop one pre-recorded video in OBS, add it as a Media Source and enable Loop. For a sequence of clips, use a VLC Video source, add the files to its playlist, and enable Loop Playlist; VLC must be installed. The loop setting controls local playback, not when YouTube makes a broadcast live, so start on a holding scene, confirm the YouTube feed, then switch to the video scene.
Choose the right OBS source
| What you want to play | OBS source | Repeat setting | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| One video file | Media Source | Loop | No VLC dependency |
| A sequence of files | VLC Video | Loop Playlist | Install VLC; OBS and VLC must have matching architecture. For 64-bit OBS, OBS Project specifies 64-bit VLC. |
Use the single-file source for the simplest setup. Choose VLC Video when you need a playlist or playlist behavior such as shuffling. OBS Media Sources documentation lists common formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, FLV, TS, and WebM.
Set up a single looping video
- In OBS, create or select the scene that will show the video.
- In Sources, click + and choose Media Source.
- Give the source a recognizable name, then select the local video file.
- Turn on Loop. OBS describes this control as specifying whether the file plays again after playback completes.
- Set Restart playback when source becomes active only if you want the video to start over when its source becomes visible in the current scene. It is separate from Loop.
- Consider Show nothing when playback ends only if playback is allowed to end—for example, when Loop is off. It hides the source when the file completes; it is generally not the behavior wanted for an actively looping video.
Set up a looping playlist
- Install VLC. Match its architecture to OBS; OBS Project notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- In the scene intended for the playlist, click + in Sources and choose VLC Video.
- Add the video files to the source’s playlist.
- Enable Loop Playlist so the playlist repeats after it reaches the end.
- Test the playlist in OBS and confirm the expected order and playback before starting the broadcast.
Start the broadcast without losing the opening
OBS playback and YouTube broadcast status are separate. A file can begin playing locally before the public stream is live, and the reviewed official documentation does not promise synchronization between file playback and a scheduled stream’s public-live transition.
- Prepare a holding scene, such as a slate, as well as the media scene.
- Start streaming from OBS while the holding scene is selected.
- Check the YouTube live feed and confirm it is receiving the broadcast.
- Switch to the media scene. This makes the handoff deliberate instead of relying on the source’s Loop or restart controls to time the public transition.
YouTube’s stream settings include latency, DVR, and encoder auto-start/auto-stop controls. Those settings do not replace OBS’s local playback-repeat control.
#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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Check video, audio, and network settings
The Media Source loop setting determines whether the file repeats. Encoder settings determine the feed OBS sends to YouTube, so choose them for your output resolution, frame rate, codec, computer, and upload connection—not merely because the source is looping.
YouTube encoder guidance
YouTube recommends RTMPS for RTMP-based streams. Its encoder help lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1 video for RTMP/RTMPS, up to 60 fps, AAC or MP3 audio, CBR bitrate encoding, and a two-second keyframe interval; do not exceed four seconds. The following H.264 figures are from YouTube’s undated encoder guidance, checked October 3, 2026. They are ingest recommendations, not guaranteed OBS presets.
Rank #2
- 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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| Output | H.264 minimum bitrate | H.264 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
Use the row for your chosen resolution and frame rate. YouTube’s recommended bitrate varies by ingest codec, resolution, and frame rate; consult its encoder settings and bitrates guidance for the combination you intend to stream. YouTube advises choosing a quality your upload connection can sustain and running a speed test. Test with representative motion and audio, then watch stream health while live.
Choose a workable output in OBS
Your computer’s encoding performance and upload capacity are not specified here, so there is no one encoder, resolution, or frame rate that can be prescribed for every machine. OBS cautions that meeting its system requirements does not guarantee streaming performance: encoder choice, resolution, frame rate, and scene complexity all matter. Run OBS’s Auto-Configuration Wizard, which considers hardware resources and network conditions, then perform a short test with content like the material you plan to broadcast. The OBS Quick Start Guide recommends testing before a real stream.
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Rank #3
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Keep the stream key private
YouTube’s stream key tells the encoder where to send the feed and allows YouTube to accept it. Treat it as a credential: do not publish it, put it on screen, or share it with someone who should not be able to send a feed to your channel. Add the key through YouTube’s stream settings and the corresponding streaming setup in OBS. If you believe it has been exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube’s live-stream settings and update OBS with the new key.
Copyright and channel-policy checks
A technical loop does not grant permission to broadcast the video. Before streaming, make sure you have the necessary rights to the video, music, and other material, including any material used in a playlist. YouTube’s live-streaming rules and copyright policies apply to pre-recorded material broadcast as a live feed; looping a file does not make copyrighted content yours or exempt it from enforcement. Review YouTube’s policies and check the rights for every item you plan to play.
Rank #4
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Copyright permission and monetization eligibility are different questions. A channel can face monetization limits under YouTube’s reused-content rules even where a creator has permission to use material. Review YouTube’s channel monetization policies rather than assuming that continuous playback or a playlist qualifies for monetization.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common problems
- The file plays once and stops: Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop. For several clips, use VLC Video and enable Loop Playlist.
- The video starts over when you switch scenes: Check Restart playback when source becomes active. That setting restarts a source when it becomes visible; it does not control whether playback repeats at the end.
- The source disappears at the end: Check whether Show nothing when playback ends is enabled and whether Loop is off. The former hides the source after completion; the latter repeats the file.
- VLC Video is unavailable or fails to load the playlist: Install VLC and check that its architecture matches OBS. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC.
- The opening is missing from the live broadcast: Keep the holding scene on air while starting OBS, verify the YouTube feed, and then switch to the media scene. Looping does not synchronize local playback with YouTube’s public-live transition.
- YouTube reports poor stream health or viewers see buffering: Test the upload connection, select a bitrate and output quality your connection can sustain, and monitor stream health. If the problem persists, lower resolution or frame rate and retest; encoding performance and scene complexity can also be factors.
- YouTube is not receiving the OBS feed: Confirm that OBS is streaming to the intended YouTube destination and that the stream key is current. Keep the key private; if it was exposed, reset it in YouTube and update OBS.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a YouTube channel to keep playing uploaded videos without leaving OBS or a computer running at home, StreamNeo runs the stream in the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Uploaded videos stream as provided, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot rather than quality-based tiers; StreamNeo also automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- 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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