To loop a prerecorded video through OBS to YouTube, add it as a Media Source and turn on Loop; then enter the YouTube stream URL and stream key in OBS and start sending the stream. For several videos, use a VLC Video source and enable Loop Playlist. These settings repeat the content, but they do not keep a computer or internet connection running if either fails.
Choose how OBS should repeat your video
Use a Media Source for one file or VLC Video for a playlist. The playback loop and the YouTube connection are separate: a loop restarts the video at its end, while OBS must still be running and connected to send it.
Loop one file with Media Source
- In OBS, add a Media Source to the scene where the video should appear.
- Choose the local video file in the source properties.
- Enable Loop, then confirm the source properties. OBS describes this control as replaying the file after playback completes; it is off by default.
- Use Restart playback when source becomes active if the file should begin again when the source becomes active. Close file when inactive controls file/resource behavior. Neither setting keeps the YouTube stream connected.
Loop a playlist with VLC Video
- Install VLC if it is not already installed; OBS requires it for VLC Video to appear as an available source.
- Add a VLC Video source and add the video files to its playlist.
- Enable Loop Playlist. Enable playlist shuffle separately if you want the files played in a random order rather than in their listed order.
Choose a single Media Source when one file should repeat. Choose VLC Video when you need multiple clips, playlist order or shuffle, and are willing to install VLC.
Get the YouTube stream key and connect OBS
- Open the channel’s live streaming controls in YouTube Studio, then select an existing live stream or create one.
- In the Live Control Room, copy the stream key and the server URL shown for that stream. YouTube treats the key as a credential identifying where the encoder sends its feed; handle it like a password.
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream. Select YouTube as the service and enter or select the server and stream key. If your OBS version offers a direct YouTube account connection, use the displayed stream URL and key from Live Control Room if configuring the encoder manually.
- Apply the settings, then start streaming from OBS. For a scheduled stream, wait until the preview appears in Live Control Room and click Go live, unless the stream’s Auto-start & auto-stop controls are enabled and you intend to use them.
Prefer the RTMPS server URL when it is available and supported by the encoder. RTMPS is RTMP over TLS/SSL, which encrypts the connection. Copy the secure endpoint shown in Live Control Room rather than assuming the default RTMP address is the RTMPS address.
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A custom stream key can be reused. If you believe it has been exposed, reset it in Live Control Room and replace the old key in OBS. YouTube says only channel owners and managers can reset a stream key.
Set OBS output for YouTube
Start with the codec, frame rate, resolution and bitrate your system can sustain. YouTube’s published recommendations include H.264, H.265 (HEVC) or AV1 video, CBR bitrate encoding, frame rates up to 60 fps, and a two-second keyframe interval that should not exceed four seconds. Audio options include AAC or MP3; YouTube’s advanced recommendations specify 128 Kbps for stereo audio.
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Bitrate examples from YouTube’s H.264 table
| Resolution and frame rate | Minimum bitrate | Recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
These figures are YouTube-published settings, not a guarantee that a particular connection will deliver without interruption. The table differs by codec, resolution and frame rate, so consult YouTube’s current table for your intended combination rather than treating either example as a universal target. Set a bitrate your stable upload capacity can support, leaving room for normal variation instead of using the full headline upload speed.
Latency and quality trade-offs
Choose resolution and frame rate based on the source video, encoder support and available upload capacity. YouTube notes that lower latency can increase playback buffering. If the stream is prerecorded and you are not interacting with viewers in real time, low latency may matter less than a stable viewing experience.
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Test the loop and the live connection
- Before relying on the stream, test with representative video motion and audio. Confirm that the file or playlist reaches its end and begins again as intended.
- Start the encoder and check the Live Control Room preview before going live on a scheduled stream.
- Monitor stream health and any messages in Live Control Room while the stream is running. If YouTube reports delivery trouble, review the encoder settings and confirm that the connection can sustain the selected bitrate.
- Check the YouTube player as a viewer as well: confirm picture, sound and the expected change back to the start of the video or playlist.
OBS looping does not restart OBS after an application or computer crash, keep a computer powered, or restore a broken network connection. It only repeats source playback when the source is still operating.
Copyright, reused content and long-running streams
Looping a file does not grant permission to use its music, footage or other copyrighted material. Use material you own or are authorized to stream, and check YouTube’s current copyright and monetization rules for your channel and content. Repeating prerecorded material also does not by itself establish eligibility for monetization; review YouTube’s current reused-content guidance rather than assuming a loop meets its requirements.
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YouTube states that streams under 12 hours are automatically archived after they end. That guidance does not guarantee that a continuous stream longer than 12 hours will be archived in full. If a complete archive is important, plan around the documented duration and verify the current YouTube guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting OBS loop streams
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video stops at the end | Loop is off, or the wrong source is being used. | For one file, open Media Source properties and enable Loop. For several files, confirm VLC Video is configured with a playlist and Loop Playlist enabled. |
| VLC Video is missing from the source list | VLC is not installed or OBS cannot find it. | Install VLC, then reopen or refresh OBS and check the source list again. |
| OBS connects but YouTube does not show the expected stream | The stream key or server URL may not match the selected YouTube stream. | Copy both values from that stream’s Live Control Room and update OBS under Settings → Stream. |
| A previously working key stops being accepted | The key may have been reset or replaced. | Check the key in Live Control Room and update OBS. If the old key may have been compromised, reset it and replace it in the encoder. |
| The picture buffers or stream health reports trouble | The selected bitrate may exceed stable upload capacity, or the chosen output settings may not suit the connection. | Check stream health, confirm the codec/resolution/frame-rate bitrate recommendation, and test at a lower sustainable bitrate. YouTube’s published recommendations are starting points, not delivery guarantees. |
| The stream ends when OBS, the PC or the internet connection stops | Source looping only controls playback; it does not recover OBS or the host connection. | Restore the encoder and connection, then follow the Live Control Room workflow to resume or restart the stream. Auto-start and auto-stop do not restart OBS after a crash. |
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For a prerecorded YouTube stream that should continue without a home computer, StreamNeo runs the loop in the cloud: upload your recording or playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month.
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