Yes. You can use OBS to loop a video stored on an external SSD and send the live output to YouTube. The SSD stores the file; your computer still needs to stay on, run OBS, encode the stream and maintain its internet connection. The official OBS guidance covers local media files but does not specifically certify external-SSD playback, so test your own drive and setup before a long broadcast.
How to loop an external-SSD video in OBS
- Connect and mount the SSD. Keep it connected and accessible for the entire broadcast. Open OBS and add the video as a Media Source, selecting the file on the SSD. OBS documents local-file playback, including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF and WebM. OBS: Media Sources
- Turn on looping. In the Media Source properties, enable Loop to replay a single file when it reaches the end. For a sequence of clips, add a VLC Video source, create a playlist and enable Loop Playlist. OBS says VLC must be installed for that source to appear. OBS: Media Sources
- Connect OBS to YouTube Live. Your channel needs livestreaming access. In YouTube’s Live Control Room, set up an encoder stream and use the stream URL and stream key in OBS’s streaming settings. Treat the stream key like a password: do not show or share it. YouTube: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder YouTube: Get started with live streaming
- Test before going public. Start the encoder and check the Live Control Room preview, then monitor picture and sound continuously. YouTube recommends leaving 20% headroom over the total stream bitrate. YouTube: Troubleshoot your live stream
What the SSD does—and what must keep running
The SSD is the source storage, not a streaming device. OBS reads the file, the computer encodes the scene, and the network carries the output to YouTube. The computer must stay powered, OBS must remain open, the drive must remain connected and accessible, and the encoder connection must remain live. A disconnected or unmounted drive can make the source unavailable; a dropped network or OBS interruption can stop the broadcast.
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The official OBS material describes local media playback, not an external-SSD reliability guarantee. It gives no minimum drive speed, capacity, connection standard or recommended model for this workflow. Choose storage based on the file size and the ports supported by your computer, then test the exact file, drive and connection in a private or otherwise appropriate test stream before relying on them for an extended broadcast.
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Choose the OBS source that fits your content
| Setup | What repeats | What must stay available | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Source | One local file | Computer, OBS, accessible SSD and network | A simple continuous loop of one video |
| VLC Video source | A playlist of local files | Computer, OBS, VLC, accessible files and network | Multiple clips in a chosen order; VLC must be installed |
| StreamNeo cloud service | Uploaded videos or a playlist | StreamNeo account and configuration, plus network access | Keeping a YouTube stream running without leaving a home computer on |
OBS documents the first two approaches. YouTube’s encoder directory also lists a cloud-based service for 24/7 prerecorded streaming, establishing that hosted options exist; that listing alone does not establish any service’s terms or suitability for a particular creator. YouTube Creator Services Directory
#1 Best Overall
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Or let it run in the cloud
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Quick Recap
Best Value
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
Rank #3
- Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
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Rank #2
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- From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
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