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Looping prerecorded video on YouTube Live means an encoder—such as OBS—repeats a local video or playlist and sends it to YouTube as a continuous live feed. YouTube receives the stream; the repeat setting belongs to the encoder, not the YouTube player. For one file in OBS, use Media Source → Loop. For a playlist, use VLC Video → Loop Playlist.
What happens when a video loops on YouTube Live?
A streaming encoder reads the prerecorded video, sends its audio and video to YouTube, and starts the source again when it reaches the end. The broadcast is still a live stream from YouTube’s perspective, but the footage itself is prerecorded. YouTube does not provide a native file-loop toggle for this workflow.
YouTube connects to the encoder using a server URL and a stream key. YouTube describes stream keys as “your YouTube stream’s password and address.” Keep the key private: anyone with access to it may be able to send a feed to your stream. See YouTube’s live-stream settings guidance.
Before you start
- Your channel must be verified and must not have had live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. Check YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility requirements.
- You must have the necessary rights to everything in the video, including music and other third-party material. Sending a recording as a live feed does not remove copyright obligations.
- Choose a file or playlist that your encoder can play. OBS documentation lists MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, and WebM among its supported video formats. Container, codec, and file damage can still affect whether a particular file plays correctly.
- Plan to monitor the output. A loop setting repeats a source; it does not ensure that the encoder, computer, network, or YouTube connection remains available.
Loop one prerecorded video in OBS
- Add a source: In OBS, select a scene, use the Sources panel’s + button, and choose Media Source.
- Select the recording: In the source properties, choose the local file you want to play. Use the file option rather than a network source if you intend to loop a recording stored on that computer.
- Enable repeat: Turn on Loop in the Media Source properties. The source should restart when playback reaches the end.
- Check the scene: Confirm that the video fits the canvas and that audio is audible in OBS. If the picture or sound is missing, verify the selected file, source visibility, and audio levels before going live.
- Connect to YouTube: In YouTube Studio, open Create → Go live to reach the Live Control Room. Create or schedule a stream, then copy its server URL and stream key into OBS’s streaming settings.
- Start the broadcast: Start streaming from OBS. For a scheduled stream, check the preview in Live Control Room and click Go live if prompted. Open the watch page in another browser or device to confirm that viewers can see and hear it.
Loop a playlist instead
For multiple recordings, use an OBS VLC Video source rather than adding separate Media Sources when you want one playlist to cycle as a unit.
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- Add a VLC Video source from the Sources panel.
- Create or select the playlist and add the video files in the order you want them to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist in the source settings.
- Preview the transitions and audio levels, then connect OBS to YouTube and start the stream using the same Live Control Room workflow.
A playlist is useful when you want several recordings to play in sequence before restarting. Check that every item is available and rights-cleared; a missing or unplayable item can interrupt the intended sequence.
Start, monitor, and end the stream
Once the encoder is sending its feed, watch both the OBS preview and YouTube’s Live Control Room. Look for dropped connections, frozen video, missing audio, or a source that stopped rather than repeating. A stream that appears to be running in OBS should also be checked on its YouTube watch page.
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When finished, stop the encoder output. End the broadcast in Live Control Room when applicable. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived, but this is not a guarantee that every stream will remain archived in every circumstance. If you need a recording, confirm the archive is available after the stream ends. See YouTube’s encoder-streaming instructions.
Copyright, Content ID, and monetization
Rights and live-stream detection
YouTube scans live streams for third-party content matches. If it identifies protected material, it may replace the stream with a placeholder, interrupt it, or terminate it if the material remains. Even if you have a license, a rights holder may need to allowlist your channel through Content ID for the stream to avoid interruption. A license should not be treated as a guarantee that automated detection will leave the broadcast untouched. Read YouTube’s guidance on live-stream restrictions.
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Claims on an archived stream
YouTube says Content ID claims on archived live streams are made after the live stream ends if you choose to archive it. An uninterrupted live broadcast does not establish that the material was cleared for use.
Monetization and reused content
YouTube’s channel monetization policy applies to live streams. Reused material without significant original commentary, substantive changes, or educational or entertainment value may be ineligible for monetization, and YouTube may assess a channel as a whole. Repeating a video is not, by itself, a monetization guarantee. Review YouTube’s channel monetization policies.
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Troubleshooting common loop problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video ends and stays black or stops | Loop is off, or the wrong source type or setting is in use. | For one file, open Media Source properties and turn on Loop. For a playlist, verify the VLC Video source and Loop Playlist. |
| The playlist stops after its final item | Playlist repeat is not enabled or an item cannot be played. | Check Loop Playlist, then test each file in the playlist and confirm its order. |
| YouTube does not receive the feed | The encoder is not sending to the right destination, or its stream key or server URL is incorrect. | Copy the current server URL and stream key from the intended YouTube Live Control Room stream into OBS, then start the encoder output again. |
| OBS preview works but the YouTube watch page does not | The encoder output may not have started, or a scheduled broadcast may still need confirmation. | Check stream status and preview in Live Control Room; click Go live if YouTube prompts you. |
| Video plays but audio is absent or too quiet | The file may lack an audible track, the source may be muted, or OBS audio levels may be low. | Check the recording’s audio, the source mute control, and OBS audio meters before restarting the broadcast. |
| The stream is interrupted despite having a license | Live Content ID detection may still be acting on the material, or the channel may not be allowlisted. | Review the rights holder’s Content ID arrangements and YouTube’s live restrictions guidance; do not assume a license prevents automated interruption. |
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