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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf FFmpeg reports Invalid data found when processing input, the message identifies an invalid-data error category—not the exact cause or even the stage where the failure occurred. First probe the exact input with ffprobe, then use the full FFmpeg log to locate the first failing stage. Only after confirming the input is readable should you tune the outgoing YouTube Live settings.
What does “Invalid data found when processing input” mean?
FFmpeg’s error reference describes this as an invalid-data error. That wording does not say whether the problem is opening the input, decoding it, processing it, or setting up output. The exact command, media, FFmpeg build, and surrounding log are needed to narrow it down. FFmpeg error codes
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Does -stream_loop cause the error?
The error string alone does not establish that -stream_loop is responsible. Do not remove or change the loop option as a presumed fix until you know which input or processing stage fails. The first useful clue is usually the earliest relevant error in the complete log, not the final summary line.
Diagnose the input before changing encoder settings
1. Capture the complete command and log
Save the exact command and all output from the beginning of the run. Find the first error and determine whether it appears while FFmpeg opens the input, decodes or filters media, or configures output. The generic error description does not distinguish these stages.
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2. Probe the same input
Run ffprobe against the exact file or URL supplied to FFmpeg:
ffprobe -hide_banner "INPUT"Replace INPUT with the same input path or URL. Check whether the output identifies a container and the expected video and audio streams. A failed probe can be consistent with incomplete or damaged data, unsupported media, or content that is not media; it does not prove which of these applies. FFmpeg Cookbook’s input troubleshooting guide recommends probing as an initial check.
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- If probing fails: check that the path or URL is correct and accessible; confirm a download or copy completed; verify the content is actually media in a format and protocol FFmpeg can read. Resolve input access or readability before adjusting YouTube bitrate.
- If probing succeeds: keep the probe output, then inspect the full FFmpeg log to find the first failing stage. A recognized input does not by itself prove that every later decoding, filtering, or output step succeeds.
Check the outgoing settings against YouTube’s guidance
Once the input is readable, compare the actual outgoing stream—not just the source file’s properties—with YouTube’s current encoder guidance. YouTube recommends RTMPS; supports H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1 video at up to 60 fps; recommends constant bitrate (CBR); and specifies AAC or MP3 audio. Its keyframe guidance is “Recommended 2 seconds” and “Do not exceed 4 seconds.” YouTube: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions
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H.264 bitrate recommendations
For H.264, choose the row matching the stream’s actual ingest resolution and frame rate. These are YouTube’s published minimum and recommended bitrates in Mbps; they are configuration guidance, not a remedy for an input parsing error.
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| Ingest resolution and frame rate | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| 4K/2160p at 60 fps | 14 Mbps | 50 Mbps |
| 4K/2160p at 30 fps | 11 Mbps | 42 Mbps |
| 1440p at 60 fps | 8 Mbps | 34 Mbps |
| 1440p at 30 fps | 7 Mbps | 21 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p at 30 fps | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 720p at 60 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 720p at 30 fps | 3 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| 480p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
| 360p at 30 fps | 0.4 Mbps | 4 Mbps |
Other encoder details to verify
YouTube’s advanced guidance also covers square pixels, progressive scan, two B-frames, one reference frame, CABAC, Rec. 709 for SDR, and audio sampling guidance of 44.1 kHz stereo or 48 kHz 5.1. Requirements can depend on the chosen codec and mode; check the current YouTube page for the exact combination you are using rather than treating every advanced item as universal.
Allow sufficient upload capacity for the selected bitrate. YouTube recommends using a speed test and testing with representative audio and video motion, then monitoring stream health. A short test with representative content can reveal problems that a static or unusually simple source may not.
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Common failure patterns and what to check
ffprobecannot identify the input: check access, the complete file or download, actual file contents, supported format, and protocol before investigating output encoding.ffproberecognizes the expected streams but FFmpeg still fails: use the first error in the complete FFmpeg log to identify the failing input or processing stage. Do not infer loop-option fault from the final error text.- The input reads but YouTube reports a stream problem: verify the outgoing protocol, codec, bitrate mode, frame rate, keyframe interval, and resolution-specific bitrate against YouTube’s guidance. These checks address ingest configuration, not proof of what triggered the original invalid-data error.
What to include when asking for a precise diagnosis
A specific correction cannot be established from the error text alone. Include the exact FFmpeg command, the source’s location or type (omit any private credentials), the output of ffmpeg -version, ffprobe -hide_banner "INPUT", and the complete log around the first error. Redact stream keys, tokens, and other secrets before sharing logs.
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