OBS Studio is the clearest free option for looping pre-recorded video on YouTube Live: use a Media Source to repeat one file, or a VLC Video source to repeat a playlist. OBS sends the video from your computer to YouTube, so continuous streaming depends on that computer, OBS, and your internet connection staying available. If you need the stream to run with your computer off, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative.
Which free software should you use?
Choose OBS Studio, free and open-source streaming and recording software from the OBS Project. Its Media Source can loop one local video file. Its VLC Video source can play a playlist and loop it, with VLC installed. These features make OBS a good fit for both common setups; they do not guarantee unattended uptime.
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| What you want to play | OBS source | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| One video repeatedly | Media Source | Select a local supported file and enable Loop. OBS lists formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. |
| A sequence of videos repeatedly | VLC Video | Install VLC, add the playlist, and enable Loop Playlist. OBS documentation says 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. |
OBS documents that Loop restarts a file when playback ends, while Loop Playlist restarts the source after it runs out of media files. The choice is therefore about whether you need a single repeating file or a sequence—not about a separate paid OBS plan.
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Loop one local video
- Open OBS Studio and select the scene you want to use, or create a new scene.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source. Name the source and confirm.
- In the source properties, select the local video file. Enable Loop, then confirm the settings.
- Check the OBS preview. Make sure the video is visible and that its audio, if any, is playing at a suitable level.
Loop a playlist
- Install VLC on the same computer as OBS. Match the VLC architecture to OBS: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- In OBS, select + in the Sources panel and choose VLC Video.
- Add the video files to the source playlist in the order you want them to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist in the source properties and confirm.
- Check the preview to verify the playlist plays in the intended order and that sound is present where expected.
OBS’s documented file formats include MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. If a file does not play as expected, first verify that OBS can read it and that the correct source is selected; the evidence here does not establish a complete codec-compatibility list.
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- 【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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- 【Plug and Play, Easy to Carry】 This HDMI 1080P video capture card does not require any additional drivers or external power supply, just plug and play for fast capture. The capture card is small and lightweight, so you can put it in your bag for emergencies, making it very portable for outdoor live streaming. It's also a great way to share content in game recording, video conference, video recorder and online teaching
- 【Wide Compatibility USB Capture Card】 Easily streams to Facebook, Youtube or Twitch. With the connection, this HDMI to USB C/3.0 video capture devices can be working on several Operating Systems and various software: Windows 7/ 8/ 10, Mac OS or above, Linux, Android, Laptop, Xbox One, PS3/PS4/PS5, Camera, DVDs, Set Top Box, Webcame, DSLR, Switch/Switch 2, TV BOX, HDTV, Potplayer/VLC, ZOOM, OBS Studio etc.
- 【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
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
YouTube describes an encoder as software or hardware that converts video into a digital format for delivery to YouTube Live. OBS acts as the encoder in this setup. Use a YouTube Studio stream’s stream URL and stream key to connect it.
- In YouTube Studio, create or select the live stream you intend to use and locate its stream URL and stream key in the stream settings.
- In OBS, open Settings and then Stream. Select YouTube as the service if available, and enter or connect the stream details as prompted. If configuring a custom connection, use the stream URL and key supplied by YouTube.
- Return to the scene with your Media Source or VLC Video source. Start streaming in OBS and check the Live Control Room preview in YouTube Studio before treating the stream as ready for viewers.
- Verify that the stream is accessible and monitor picture and sound while it runs. YouTube recommends testing the setup and continuously monitoring audio and video quality.
Keep the stream key private: it is the credential that lets an encoder send video to your stream. If it is exposed, replace it in YouTube Studio and update the encoder connection.
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Check eligibility, rights, and replay limits
Confirm that the channel can go live
YouTube’s eligibility guidance says a channel must be verified and must not have had live-stream restrictions in the previous 90 days; the streamer must also be at least 16 years old. Check the current requirements in YouTube Help before scheduling, since platform eligibility rules can change.
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Use content you are authorized to broadcast
YouTube’s Livestream terms and conditions say live content must comply with the Community Guidelines. You also need the necessary rights for everything in the stream, including music, and for any archive you intend to keep. A video being available online or playing successfully in OBS does not establish that you have permission to rebroadcast it.
Rank #3
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Plan around the archive threshold
YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. If a complete replay matters, keep each stream below that threshold and retain a local recording as a backup. A loop that runs indefinitely is not a dependable way to create one complete YouTube archive.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What continuous streaming with OBS requires
With OBS, the video is played and sent from your local system. The computer must remain on, OBS must remain running, the media must stay available, and the internet connection must keep delivering the stream. YouTube recommends testing and monitoring, but the available documentation does not guarantee that a consumer computer or connection will remain online continuously.
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- Keep the computer powered and prevent sleep or automatic shutdown for the planned stream period.
- Test the complete path—from video playback in OBS through YouTube’s Live Control Room preview—before relying on it.
- Monitor the picture and audio while live; arrange a way to respond if the encoder, computer, or connection stops.
- If you need a replay, make a local recording backup and plan stream duration around YouTube’s archive guidance.
Common problems and fixes
| Symptom | Likely check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The video ends instead of repeating | The file’s Loop setting may be off. | Open Media Source properties and enable Loop. |
| The playlist stops after its last item | Loop Playlist may be off, or VLC may not be available to OBS. | Enable Loop Playlist and confirm VLC is installed with the same architecture as OBS. |
| YouTube does not receive the OBS stream | The stream URL or key may be incorrect, or the stream may not be eligible to start. | Check the stream details in YouTube Studio, update the OBS connection, and confirm channel eligibility. |
| The Live Control Room preview has no picture or sound | The wrong scene or source may be active, or the file may not be playing correctly. | Check the OBS preview and source playback, then verify audio and video in YouTube’s preview before relying on the stream. |
| The stream stops unexpectedly | OBS relies on the local computer and internet connection; either may have stopped delivering. | Check the computer, OBS, media availability, and network, then restart the encoder and verify YouTube’s preview. Monitoring is necessary; it is not an uptime guarantee. |
| A long stream has no complete YouTube replay | It exceeded YouTube’s 12-hour archive guidance. | Keep the stream shorter than 12 hours when an archive is important, and make a local recording backup. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a computer at home to stay on, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos as a 24/7 YouTube stream from the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It plays uploaded videos; it does not stream a camera feed.
- Nothing has to stay on at home while the cloud stream runs.
- Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required (one free day per account).
Monthly pricing: $9.99 per month. The monthly plan includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot (pooled across active slots), looping and playlists, automatic recovery, and StreamNeo team support. UPI and cards are available in India; card checkout is available worldwide. You can also choose daily, weekly, six-month, or yearly billing.
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