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How to Add a Folder of Videos to OBS for Continuous YouTube Live Playback

By Freedom251 Team · · 5 min read

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To play several local videos continuously in an OBS YouTube Live stream, add them as playlist items in OBS’s VLC Video source, enable Loop Playlist, and leave Shuffle Playlist off if you want them in the listed order. OBS’s documented workflow is to add files to a playlist; it does not establish that choosing a folder automatically imports or monitors every file in it.

For a single repeating video, use Media Source and enable Loop. The steps below cover both setups, scene visibility, audio, YouTube setup, and testing.

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What “add a folder” means in OBS

OBS’s documented playlist method does not scan a folder, automatically add every file in it, or monitor the folder for later additions. Instead, create a VLC Video source and add the videos you want as individual playlist items. Check the resulting list before going live.

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Use Media Source when you only need one file to repeat. Use VLC Video when you need several files to play as a playlist. VLC Video requires VLC to be installed; if OBS is 64-bit, install 64-bit VLC. The OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation describes these controls and requirements.

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Prepare your files and choose a source

Check the video files

Put the clips in a stable local location so they remain available to OBS. The OBS Media Sources documentation lists supported formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, and WebM. If you move or rename a file after adding it, check that the playlist still points to the correct file.

Choose the playback method

What you want OBS source Playback setting
Repeat one video Media Source Enable Loop
Play several videos in a set order VLC Video Add each file as a playlist item, enable Loop Playlist, and leave Shuffle Playlist off
Play several videos in a changing order VLC Video Enable Loop Playlist and enable Shuffle Playlist

Add videos and set them to repeat

For one repeating video

  1. In OBS, select the scene that will carry the broadcast.
  2. In the Sources dock, click + and add Media Source.
  3. Choose or browse to the video file.
  4. Enable Loop in the source properties, then confirm the source.

The OBS Project documents the Loop setting as specifying “whether the file play again once playback has completed” in its Media Sources documentation dated 2022-01-11.

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For a playlist of videos

  1. Install VLC before using the VLC Video source. Match its architecture to OBS—for example, use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS.
  2. In the active OBS scene’s Sources dock, click + and add VLC Video.
  3. In the source properties, add each video you want as a playlist item. Review the list and arrange it in the desired order.
  4. Enable Loop Playlist to restart playback when the last item finishes.
  5. Leave Shuffle Playlist off for the listed order; turn it on only if you want playback shuffled.
  6. Confirm the source and watch the OBS preview to verify the expected clip is playing.

The OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation dated 2022-01-11 defines Loop Playlist as specifying “whether the source should restart when it has run out of media files”.

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Fit the video and handle scene changes

Size and position the source

Select the video source in the preview and use OBS’s transform controls to position or resize it. The OBS Project’s Sources Guide documents Fit to Screen—Ctrl-F on Windows and Cmd-F on macOS—as well as dragging to resize and cropping. Check all edges for unwanted cropping or letterboxing.

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Decide what happens when the source is hidden

VLC Video’s documented default is Stop when not visible, restart when visible. This controls media playback when the source is hidden, such as after changing scenes; it does not stop the YouTube broadcast. If the playlist must keep advancing while hidden, choose an appropriate continuing visibility behavior in the source properties and test it by switching scenes before you stream.

Check audio and connect OBS to YouTube

Verify the audio signal

Play the source and check the Audio Mixer meters in OBS. If the expected audio is missing, review the audio devices under Settings → Audio and check the source’s audio behavior. The OBS Project’s Quick Start Guide recommends checking audio and testing the setup before a broadcast.

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Set up YouTube Live

Use YouTube’s encoder workflow for streaming software such as OBS. YouTube’s Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder help page says first-time live-stream enablement may take up to 24 hours. Complete that setup before scheduling a first broadcast, and use the stream key and connection details shown in YouTube Studio in OBS’s stream settings. Keep the stream key private.

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Test before going live

  1. In OBS, use Start Recording for a local check, or Start Streaming for a short test broadcast.
  2. Verify the playlist order, loop behavior, video framing, and audio.
  3. If you use multiple scenes, hide and show the VLC Video source to confirm its visibility behavior matches what you want.
  4. Check the broadcast output before promoting or relying on the stream.

A short test checks the configuration; it does not prove that an unattended 24/7 broadcast will remain uninterrupted.

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Copyright and continuous playback considerations

Only stream videos and audio you have the rights or permission to broadcast. A playlist repeating correctly in OBS does not establish that its contents are cleared for YouTube Live or eligible for monetization. Review YouTube’s current copyright and monetization requirements for your channel and material before broadcasting.

Playlist looping handles playback after a file or playlist ends. It does not keep the local computer, OBS process, or internet connection running. With this method, continuous playback depends on the computer and local network staying operational; the cited OBS and YouTube setup guides do not guarantee uninterrupted operation.

Troubleshoot common problems

  • VLC Video is missing or will not play: Confirm VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS. Restart OBS after installing VLC if the source is still unavailable.
  • Only one video plays: Check that every intended file was added as a playlist item, not merely stored in the same folder.
  • The playlist stops at the end: Enable Loop Playlist. For a single Media Source, enable Loop instead.
  • Clips play in the wrong order: Reorder the playlist and ensure Shuffle Playlist is off.
  • Playback restarts after changing scenes: Review the VLC Video visibility behavior. The documented default stops while hidden and restarts when visible.
  • The video is cropped or does not fill the canvas: Select the source and use Fit to Screen or adjust its transform, then inspect the preview edges.
  • There is no audio: Check the Audio Mixer meters and the selected devices under Settings → Audio.
  • You cannot start a first YouTube broadcast: Check that live streaming is enabled for the channel; YouTube says first-time enablement may take up to 24 hours.

Or let it run in the cloud

If you want prerecorded videos to keep a YouTube channel live without leaving a computer and OBS running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops uploaded videos to YouTube; it does not broadcast from a camera.

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  • Nothing has to stay on at home: playback runs in the cloud.
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  • Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
  • The first day is free with no card; one free day is available per account.

Monthly: $9.99 per month. UPI and cards are accepted in India; card checkout is available worldwide. Start your free StreamNeo day.

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