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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf a 24/7 YouTube radio livestream is silent, trace the audio from the radio source through the encoder to YouTube. First confirm the source plays, then check capture and mixer routing, inspect what the encoder is sending, and read YouTube Live Control Room’s stream-health errors. Change only the part of the signal path where the audio disappears.
Find where the audio stops
A silent stream can result from a source that is not playing, a capture or routing problem in the encoder, or an issue between the encoder and YouTube ingestion. YouTube advises checking how the stream looks and sounds in the encoder and reviewing the audio and video sources routed to it. The exact controls vary by encoder and version, so follow the checks for your setup rather than assuming one cause.
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| What you observe | Where to investigate next | Check |
|---|---|---|
| No sound from the source, or no activity on the OBS meter | Playback, selected capture device, or source connection | Confirm playback has started and that the intended source and device are available. |
| The OBS meter moves, but the encoder output is silent | Mixer mute, stream routing, or encoder output | Check mute and routing, then listen to or inspect the encoder output. |
| The encoder output sounds healthy, but YouTube is silent | Outbound connection, ingestion status, or a reported format error | Review YouTube Live Control Room’s health messages and timestamps. |
| An audio interface is missing or disconnected | Hardware connection or device selection | Reconnect it, select it in the encoder, and test before considering replacement. |
These observations narrow down where to look; none alone guarantees a particular cause.
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Check the source and encoder first
- Confirm the radio source is producing sound. Play it locally or check the source application’s output or status. If the source itself is silent, resolve playback there before changing YouTube settings.
- Watch the input meter. In OBS, look at the mixer meter for the source while audio should be playing. OBS says, “If the indicator is missing it means there is no audio streaming toward OBS.” That points to an upstream problem: playback may not have started, the selected capture device may be unavailable, or a connection may be missing. A moving meter is useful evidence that OBS receives input, but it does not prove that sound is reaching YouTube.
- Verify capture and routing. Make sure the intended source or audio device is selected and connected, neither the source nor its mixer output is muted, and the audio is routed to the stream. Use the encoder’s mixer and monitoring controls to locate a break in that chain.
- Check the encoder output. Listen to or inspect what the encoder is sending, and check any local recording or archive. YouTube recommends examining the stream in the encoder, its routed sources, Live dashboard errors, and a local archive. If the encoder output is already silent, keep troubleshooting the source and routing. If it sounds normal, move on to the connection and YouTube’s ingestion status.
Use YouTube’s stream-health messages
Open YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room for the affected stream and review its stream-health status and errors. YouTube checks the incoming stream and displays errors with timestamps; its documented errors include an ingestion stream with no audio. Compare the timestamp with when the silence began or with changes to playback, devices, or encoder settings. Correct the underlying audio path, then check whether the error clears.
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Only change format settings for a format error
If YouTube reports an incorrect-format error, its guidance specifies H.264 video and AAC audio for proper ingestion. Treat that as a response to the relevant error, not as a universal fix for silence. If the encoder output is already silent, changing formats will not restore audio that never reaches the encoder.
When to suspect audio hardware
A disconnected audio interface is one possible reason an input does not reach OBS. Reconnect the existing device, select the correct input, and test playback again. Consider replacement only if testing establishes that the interface is defective; silence by itself does not show that new hardware is needed.
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