DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowHalloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
Mountain View desk6 min

How to Create a YouTube Live Playlist Loop with VLC and OBS on Windows

Use OBS’s VLC Video source to play a local playlist on repeat, connect the encoder to YouTube Live, and test the complete stream before going live.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To loop several local videos on YouTube Live from Windows, add OBS’s VLC Video source to a scene, load the files into its playlist, and leave Loop Playlist enabled. Connect OBS to a YouTube encoder stream with its server URL and stream key, then check the Live Control Room preview before clicking Go live. Your Windows PC and internet connection must remain available while this do-it-yourself stream runs.

Before you set up the loop

Confirm your channel can stream

YouTube says live streaming requires a verified channel with no live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. First-time activation may take up to 24 hours, so check access well before your planned start. YouTube also says users must be at least 16 to live stream. See YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility guidance.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Install matching versions of VLC and OBS

OBS’s VLC Video source depends on VLC libraries, so install VLC before adding the source. Its documentation specifically says 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. If VLC Video does not appear in OBS’s source list, first check that VLC is installed and that the architectures match. The OBS Project documents this Windows source and its behavior in Media Sources.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Create the playlist source in OBS

  1. Open the scene you want to stream. In OBS, select an existing scene or create one in the Scenes panel.
  2. Add the VLC source. In the Sources panel, select +, choose VLC Video, and create or select a source. If the option is missing, revisit the VLC installation and bitness checks above.
  3. Add the media files. In the source properties, add the local files to the playlist in the order you want them to play. The VLC Video source is the relevant option when you need a sequence of files; OBS’s built-in Media Source is intended for a single local file.
  4. Keep Loop Playlist enabled. OBS’s setting restarts the source after it reaches the end of its media list. Shuffle is off by default, so the list plays in file order unless you change that setting.
  5. Check visibility behavior. OBS documents the VLC source default as stopping when it is not visible and restarting when visible. If you switch scenes, make sure the source remains visible in the active scene or account for that restart behavior.
  6. Preview the scene. Confirm that the video is framed correctly and that the expected audio is present. Play through the list far enough to verify the order and the transition from the last item back to the first.

OBS’s documentation describes VLC Video as an alternative to its built-in Media Source for extended media support. It lists formats for Media Sources generally, but does not separately establish that every listed format works in every VLC installation; check your files in your installed setup rather than assuming universal compatibility.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
KAMRUI Pinova P2 Mini PC 16GB RAM 512GB SSD, AMD Ryzen 4300U(Beats 5400U/3500U/N95,Up to 3.7GHz,4C/8T) Mini Computers,Triple 4K Display/HDMI+DP+Type-C/WiFi/BT for Home/Business Mini Desktop Computers
  • 【AMD Ryzen 4300U True 4-Core CPU: Outperforms N95 & i3-10110U】KAMRUI P2 Mini PC is equipped with true 4-core AMD Ryzen 4300U processor built on advanced 7nm Zen2 architecture,This means you get consistent, unthrottled performance for hours on end, whether you’re running multiple browser tabs, streaming 4K content, or managing virtual machines. Compare that to Intel N95 (4 efficiency cores that throttle under load) or Intel i3-10110U (only 2 cores total), and the difference is night and day: The KAMRUI P2 AMD Ryzen 4300U (28W) is 40% faster than the Intel i3-10110U and 25% faster than the Intel N95 in multi-core tasks, ensuring smooth, lag-free performance even during heavy workloads.
  • 【Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics: 2.5X Stronger for Tri 4K】The KAMRUI P2 AMD 4300U Mini PC have unlocked the full potential of the built-in AMD Radeon Vega 5 graphics with 28W power delivery, making it 2.5 times stronger than the Intel UHD graphics found in the N95 and i3-10110U. This means you can enjoy Tri 4K@60Hz displays without a single stutter, perfect for productivity setups, home theaters, or even light photo/video editing and casual gaming. While the Intel N95/i3-10110U struggle to run a single 4K display without lag, The KAMRUI AMD 4300U Mini PC handles Tri 4K effortlessly, turning your workspace into a high-efficiency hub or your living room into a premium entertainment center.
  • 【Large Storage Capacity, Easy Expansion】KAMRUI Pinova P2 mini computers is equipped with 16GB LPDDR4 for faster multitasking and smooth application switching. 512GB M.2 SSD ensures fast startup, fast file transfers and plenty of storage space,eliminating slow loading times and ensuring fast responsiveness. the two storage slots (1x M.2 2280 SATA/NVMe PCIe3.0 slot, 1x M.2 2280 SATA slot) can be combined to provide up to 4TB of total storage(Not included). This gives you enough space for all your projects, media and data.
  • 【4K Triple Display】KAMRUI Pinova P2 4300U mini desktop computers is equipped with HDMI2.0 ×1 +DP1.4 ×1+USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C ×1 interfaces for faster transmission, Triple 4K@60Hz Display, KAMRUI P2 mini computer is ideal for visual home entertainment, home office, conference rooms, etc. USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A port ×2 with a transfer speed of up to 10 Gbps (21 times faster than USB 2.0) for efficient data transfer. Ideal for seamless multitasking between spreadsheets, browsers and presentations, or for an immersive entertainment experience.
  • 【USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C 10Gbps, Versatile connectivity】KAMRUI P2 mini desktop pc fast and versatile connectivity! The USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C port offers a data transfer rate of 10Gbps and simultaneously supports DisplayPort 1.4 video output. The P2 AMD Ryzen 4300U Mini PC is complemented by Gigabit LAN, WiFi and Bluetooth, so nothing stands in the way of a productive working environment.

Connect OBS to YouTube Live

  1. Open Live Control Room. In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, then create a stream or select a scheduled one. YouTube’s encoder setup guide describes this workflow.
  2. Copy the server URL and stream key. YouTube provides both for the selected stream. In OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose YouTube if the service selection is available, and enter the supplied server URL and stream key. Follow the current prompts in OBS and YouTube Studio if the labels differ in your installed versions.
  3. Protect the key. Treat the stream key like a password: it identifies where the encoder sends the feed and lets YouTube accept it. Do not publish it or show it in a screen recording. If it is exposed, reset it using the control in Live Control Room and replace the value in OBS.
  4. Start the encoder and inspect the preview. Start streaming in OBS, then wait for the incoming video to appear in Live Control Room. Check both picture and sound there before clicking Go live in YouTube.

YouTube recommends setting up and testing an encoder in advance and checking the stream preview and event accessibility. Its guidance recommends upload bandwidth with about 20% headroom above the stream bitrate; for example, the available upload capacity should exceed the bitrate you intend to send by that margin. See YouTube’s streaming tips. The cited guidance does not establish one best resolution or bitrate for every video, connection, and channel, so use the current OBS/YouTube guidance for your chosen output rather than treating a single preset as universal.

Choose the ordinary encoder workflow unless you need HLS

A looping playlist does not itself require HLS. The standard encoder setup uses YouTube’s server URL and stream key, as above. YouTube documents HLS for supported scenarios such as HDR or codecs not supported by RTMP; HLS has higher latency because it sends segments rather than a continuous RTMP stream.

Rank #2
Sale
GMKtec M5 Ultra Gaming Mini PC Computer Ryzen 7 7730U 16GB RAM 256GB SSD | Office Personal Desktop (Beats 7430U/ 7525U), Dual NIC LAN 2.5GbE, Triple 4K Display, WiFi 6E, USB-C, BT 5.2, DP, HDMI 2.0
  • Office Gaming Mini PC - UPGRADED GMKtec Nucbox M5 Ultra Series is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor, 8 Cores/16 Threads, Base 2.00GHz (Power Saving Quiet Mode) with Turbo Boost up to 4.50GHz (Performance Mode) in BIOS settings, Based on the ZEN 3+ architecture, this small but powerful mini pc delivers satisfying results in productivity, office work, and gaming. 35% Performance increase over AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/ Ryzen 7 5700U, 5600U, 5560U, 5500U.
  • 16GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB PCIe SSD - Installed with DDR4 16GB RAM (1x16GB), the Nucbox M5 Ultra mini pc support expansion to 64GB RAM. Featured with 256GB M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 SSD, support dual slot expansion to 4TB SSD. (Upgrades not included)
  • DUAL NIC LAN 2.5G RJ45 - Fast Network Speeds: Enjoy up to 2500Mbps data transmission speed without worrying about lagging. Ideal for working, gaming, and surfing the internet. Great for Untangle, Pfsense or as a server office PC.
  • Mini Desktop Computer with 4K Triple Screen Display - Nucbox M5 Ultra integrates AMD Radeon Graphics 8 Cores 2000 MHz GPU to deliver powerful graphics processing power to easily handle the demands of complex design software, 4K@60Hz UHD video editing, and playback. It can connect to 3 display screens simultaneously.
  • Fast Internet WiFi 6E + BT5.2 Connection - GMKtec Mini PC with WiFi-6E Wireless, have 2.5G/5G/6G triple band, more faster and lower latency. Bluetooth 5.2 allowing you more quickly to connect other wireless devices (headset, mouse, keyboard, etc.) Interface features 2*USB3.2 ports, 2*USB2.0 ports, 1*HDMI 2.0 port(4K@60Hz), 1*USB-C port(PD/DP/DATA), 1*DP Port, 1*Audio 3.5mm (HP&MIC), 1*DC Power Port.

If you specifically need HLS, YouTube’s setup instructions call for TS segments of 1–4 seconds, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, HTTPS POST/PUT, and no byte ranges or encryption beyond HTTPS. OBS is among the encoders YouTube lists as supporting HLS output. These requirements are separate from OBS’s playlist-loop setting; consult YouTube’s HLS setup instructions before choosing that protocol.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Test long enough to catch loop and connection issues

  • Check the full sequence: play every item in the intended order and observe the return from the final file to the first.
  • Check the YouTube preview: confirm audio and video arrive before making the event live.
  • Allow upload headroom: YouTube recommends about 20% above the stream bitrate, not merely a connection that matches it.
  • Watch an extended stream periodically: the cited platform guidance does not guarantee uninterrupted 24/7 operation or recovery from every failure. Keep the computer, OBS, VLC source, and network available for this local method.
  • End cleanly: stop the stream in YouTube and stop the encoder in OBS when finished. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived.

Common problems and fixes

VLC Video is missing from the source menu

OBS cannot load the VLC Video source without the VLC libraries. Install VLC and ensure its architecture matches OBS; specifically, 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Restart OBS after installing VLC and check again.

Rank #3
BOSGAME E5 11 Pro Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5300U 4C/ 8T, Business Home Office PC | 8GB DDR4 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, 2.5 GbE Dual Lan Desktop Computers, Triple Displays 4K 60Hz, Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.0, Support Linux SSH
  • 【AMD Ryzen 3 5300U CPU: Outperforms N150 & 3500U】 BOSGAME E5 mini PC is powered by the TSMC 7nm FinFET architecture AMD Ryzen 3 5300U processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, up to 3.8GHz boost, 6MB total cache). Compared to low-end Intel N150 or 3500U chips which only have 4 single threads and throttle under load, the 5300U delivers over 30% faster multi-core speed. Run 30+ browser tabs, large Excel sheets, and Zoom meetings simultaneously without system lag.
  • 【8GB DDR4 RAM & 256GB NVMe SSD Storage】 Installed with high-speed 8GB DDR4 dual-channel memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2280 SSD, eliminating slow boot times and application loading delays. To accommodate growing data requirements, the upgradeable hardware design features dual SODIMM slots that allow you to expand memory up to 64GB RAM, ensuring smooth operation during heavy multitasking.
  • 【High-Capacity Dual M.2 SSD Storage Expansion】 Never worry about running out of space for your business files. In addition to the pre-installed 256GB system drive, the motherboard houses an extra empty internal M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe 3.0 slot. This allows you to easily add a second solid-state drive for up to an additional 2TB of storage capacity (upgrades not included) without needing to remove or reinstall the original operating system.
  • 【Radeon 6-Core Graphics & Triple 4K Displays】 Integrated with official AMD Radeon Graphics (6 Graphics Cores, 1500 MHz frequency) for casual gaming, photo editing, and crisp 4K media decoding. Featuring 1x HDMI 2.0 port, 1x DisplayPort, and 1x Full-Function Type-C port, the E5 outputs true 4K@60Hz resolution to three monitors at once. This multi-screen setup eliminates constant window-switching for traders, programmers, and office workers.
  • 【Dual 2.5GbE LAN Ports for Advanced Networking】 Experience fast wired network transmission speeds up to 2500Mbps without lagging or buffering. The integration of dual 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports (powered by Realtek RTL8125 controller) makes this compact computer an exceptional hardware choice for tech enthusiasts. Easily configure it into software routers, hardware firewalls (pfSense, OpnSense), home NAS servers, or local homelabs.

The playlist stops instead of returning to the first file

Open the VLC source properties and verify Loop Playlist is enabled. Also confirm that the source itself is still active and visible in the current scene; OBS documents that an invisible VLC source stops and restarts when it becomes visible again by default.

The scene or source has no picture or sound

Check that the intended files are actually in the source playlist, that the VLC source is visible in the scene, and that playback works in the preview. OBS’s general Media Sources format list is not a guarantee that every format works in every VLC installation, so test individual files if one fails.

Rank #4
Sale
GMKtec G3S Mini PC Intel N95 Processor (Up to 3.4GHz) 8GB RAM 256GB M.2 SSD | Mini Desktop Computer with VESA Mount for Office Home Business HTPC Proxmox, Dual 4K Display, WiFi 5, Gigabit Ethernet
  • 12th Intel Alder Lake N95 Processor – The GMKtec G3 S Mini PC is powered by the 12th Gen Intel N95 processor with 4 cores, 4 threads, 6MB cache and a burst frequency up to 3.4GHz. Compared with N100/N5105/N5100/N5095, the N95 delivers up to 36% overall performance improvement. Perfect for routine tasks, office work, and home entertainment, this compact mini desktop is more convenient than traditional bulky PCs.
  • 8GB RAM & 256GB SSD Storage – Pre-installed with 8GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 2242 SSD, the G3 S mini desktop offers quicker startup, smoother multitasking, and faster file transfers. Enjoy seamless performance whether you’re working on multiple applications, browsing, or streaming content.
  • Rich Interfaces & Connectivity – The G3 S mini computer comes equipped with USB 3.2 (up to 10Gbps), dual HDMI 2.0 (4K@60Hz), and a 3.5mm audio jack. With support for WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000MbE), it connects easily with monitors, projectors, printers, office equipment, and other peripherals, making it versatile for both home and business use.
  • Dual 4K Display Support – Featuring upgraded Intel UHD Graphics (up to 1000MHz), the G3 S supports 4K video playback and AV1 decoding for a smooth viewing experience. With dual HDMI outputs, you can connect two 4K@60Hz displays simultaneously, enabling efficient multitasking for work and entertainment.
  • GMKTEC WARRANTY - GMKtec offers a 3-year limited warranty (1 year replacement + 2 years parts replacement) for each mini PC, starting from the date of the purchase effective on all sales starting Oct. 2026. All defects due to design and workmanship are covered. With a professional after sales team always ready to attend to your needs, you can simply relax and enjoy your mini PC

YouTube does not receive the OBS feed

Verify that OBS has the server URL and stream key for the same stream selected in Live Control Room. If the key was exposed or copied incorrectly, reset it in Live Control Room and update OBS. Check that OBS is actively sending and that your upload connection has the recommended headroom.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The preview appears but the event is not live

Starting the encoder sends the feed; it does not by itself complete the YouTube launch. Inspect the preview, then click Go live in Live Control Room when ready.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Check rights for every playlist item

Technical playback support does not grant permission to broadcast a file. Before adding a video or audio track, check that you have the rights and permissions needed for its use and follow applicable YouTube rules. The cited setup guidance does not determine whether any particular file is cleared for your channel.

Or let it run in the cloud

If the goal is a YouTube channel that keeps looping uploaded videos without leaving a home computer on, StreamNeo runs the stream from the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It plays uploaded videos rather than broadcasting a camera feed.

  • Nothing has to stay on at home; the stream runs from the cloud.
  • Any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps streams as made, at one price per slot rather than quality tiers.
  • Automatic recovery is provided if YouTube drops the stream.
  • The first day is free with no card required; one free day is available per account.
  • Monthly: $9.99 per month.

Start your free StreamNeo day.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.