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If you’re playing a prerecorded gaming video, enable Loop in the OBS source that plays the file. For a playlist, use OBS’s VLC Video source and enable Loop Playlist. If you’re capturing live gameplay with Game Capture, there is no finished video file to loop: that source captures what you are playing now.
First identify what you’re trying to loop
OBS has different source types for prerecorded media and live capture. Choose the one that matches your setup before changing stream settings.
| What you want to show | OBS source or control | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| One local gaming video | Media Source → Loop | Enable Loop, and confirm the file is selected and the source is visible in the active scene. |
| Several local videos in a playlist | VLC Video → Loop Playlist | Install VLC, match its 64-bit or 32-bit architecture to OBS, and check the playlist items. |
| Gameplay happening now | Game Capture or another capture source | Capture sources show live gameplay; they do not replay a completed media file. |
Loop one prerecorded gaming video
- Add or select a Media Source: in the scene you intend to stream, select the existing source or add one from the Sources panel. Open its properties and choose the local video file.
- Turn on Loop: enable the property labeled Loop. The OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation describes this as the option that determines whether a file plays again after playback completes; the documented default is Off.
- Check visibility and activation: make sure the source is in the scene being sent to YouTube and that its visibility is enabled. Restart playback when source becomes active is a separate property: it controls restarting when the source becomes active, not whether it loops.
- Test the ending: watch the OBS preview through the end of the file. The separate Show nothing when playback ends option can make a finished file disappear when Loop is off; it is not a substitute for enabling Loop.
The OBS Project’s Media Sources guide, dated January 11, 2022, lists Media Source for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It lists local video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV. The guide does not specify an OBS release, so labels or layout may differ in other builds.
Loop a playlist of gaming videos
- Install VLC: OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC to be installed. The OBS documentation says 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add VLC Video: in the scene, add a VLC Video source and populate its playlist with the local media items you want played.
- Enable Loop Playlist: open the source properties and turn on Loop Playlist. This is the playlist control; the Media Source Loop option applies to a single file.
- Test the full playlist: confirm the intended files are present and watch the preview reach the end of the list. Also verify that the source is visible in the scene that is actually going live.
If the loop works in OBS but not for YouTube viewers
If the OBS preview continues correctly but viewers see interruptions, the local playback loop may be working; investigate the encoder output and delivery to YouTube instead.
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#1 Best Overall
Guermok Video Capture Card, 4K USB3.0 HDMI to USB C, 1080P 60FPS & 2K 30FPS
- 【1080P 60FPS Video Capture Card】 This HDMI game capture card is based on USB3.0 high speed transmission port, input resolution up to 4K@30HZ, output resolution up to 2K@30Hz or 1920×1080@60Hz. Type c and USB interface can meet most of the devices in daily life. Easily meet the online capture, real-time recording, online meetings, live gaming and other functions, so you have a better visual enjoyment. Note: For capture use only; requires capture software to function and is not intended for direct screen casting to a monitor or TV
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- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
- Inspect the stream in the encoder and, if needed, check a local recording of the output. YouTube’s troubleshooting guidance recommends checking encoder output and CPU load when quality is poor.
- If the encoder output looks healthy, check the outbound connection between your setup and YouTube.
- If OBS reports no dropped frames but some viewers buffer, their network connections or playback devices may be responsible. A viewer-side buffering report alone does not show that the media source stopped.
YouTube Live receives a stream from an encoder, which may be software or hardware; YouTube’s encoder guidance includes gameplay as a use case. YouTube stream settings such as latency and DVR affect delivery or viewer playback, not whether an OBS local media file repeats.
If playback stutters during gameplay
Performance trouble is different from a loop setting that is off. OBS explains that games and scene rendering compete for GPU resources. If the preview or output stutters under game load, OBS recommends capping the game’s frame rate or enabling V-Sync to free GPU resources. These steps address rendering pressure; they do not enable looping.
Rank #2
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Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep prerecorded videos live on YouTube without leaving a computer running, StreamNeo loops uploaded videos from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home. It plays your upload as made, up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Capture Card, USB Video Capture Card Device, Audio Video Converter Grabber for RCA to USB-Convert VHS Mini DV VCR Hi8 DVD to Digital, for PC TV Tape Player Camcorder, MAC Windows Vista Compatible
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- Note: The Video Converter is used with acquisition software. We recommend OBS Studio or PotPlayer for Windows, and QuickTime Player for Mac. They can be downloaded for free online. Please operate according to the steps in User Manual or contact us if you have any questions
Rank #4
Capture Card, 4K HDMI Video Capture Card, Game Capture Card, 1080P 60FPS Video Capture Device, HDMI to USB 3.0 Capture Card for Streaming, Work with Camera/Xbox/PS4/PS5/PC/OBS
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Rank #3
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- 【What You Get】Includes: HDMI Capture Card, USB 3.0 to USB-C Adapter, User Manual. Tips: Make sure your tablet’s OTG function is enabled before connecting. Test your HDMI device with a monitor first to confirm video and audio output, then connect to the Video Capture Card for recording.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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