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Yes. Add OBS Studio’s --startstreaming launch parameter to a Windows startup shortcut or scheduled task. OBS will then attempt to start the configured stream when it launches. First set up your YouTube stream key and settings, and test the complete restart sequence: the parameter starts OBS’s streaming action, but it does not guarantee that a broadcast is selected or that the network is ready.
Before you automate OBS
Make sure OBS can already send the intended video and audio to the correct YouTube broadcast. YouTube’s stream key tells the encoder where to send its feed and allows YouTube to accept it. Treat the key like a credential: use the correct one for the broadcast and do not share it publicly. See YouTube’s encoder setup instructions and guidance on managing live stream settings.
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- Configure the stream in OBS and save the correct stream key before setting up automatic launch.
- Check YouTube’s auto-start and auto-stop settings. These let the encoder control starting or stopping the stream; they are separate from OBS’s Windows launch parameter. Reused stream settings carry those selections forward.
- Start the stream manually once and check the preview in YouTube Live Control Room before relying on unattended startup. Confirm that the intended event, picture, and audio are present.
Option 1: Start OBS from the Windows Startup folder
A Startup-folder shortcut is a straightforward way to launch OBS when a user signs in. It is suited to a machine that normally reaches the same Windows user session after a restart.
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- Find the OBS executable, usually
obs64.exein the OBS installation folder. - Create a shortcut to
obs64.exe. - Open the shortcut’s Properties and, in the Target field, append a space and
--startstreamingafter the executable path. For example:"C:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bitobs64.exe" --startstreaming. If OBS is installed elsewhere, use its actual path. - Press
Win+R, entershell:startup, and press Enter to open the current user’s Startup folder. - Place the shortcut in that folder. Sign out and back in, or restart Windows, then check whether OBS opens and attempts to stream.
The shortcut runs at user sign-in, not necessarily as soon as the computer powers on. If Windows stops at a sign-in screen or requires someone to log in, OBS will not launch until that session starts. Automatic sign-in has security implications, so do not enable it without considering who can access the computer.
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Option 2: Start OBS with Task Scheduler
Task Scheduler gives more control over the trigger and conditions. OBS’s launch-parameters documentation says that for scheduled tasks or other automated Windows launches, the working directory—the task’s “Start in” field—should point to the folder containing obs64.exe.
- Open Task Scheduler and choose Create Task.
- On General, name the task and choose whether it should run only when your account is logged on or whether it should run whether you are logged on or not. The latter may require your Windows account credentials; test how OBS behaves in the selected session.
- On Triggers, choose the trigger that matches your setup, such as At log on for your account. A log-on trigger is generally the clearest choice when OBS needs an interactive desktop session.
- On Actions, create a Start a program action. Set Program/script to the full path of
obs64.exe. Put--startstreamingin Add arguments. - Set Start in to the folder containing
obs64.exe, without adding the executable name. For example, if the executable is inC:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bit, use that folder. - Review the task’s conditions and settings. Conditions that require a particular power state or network state can prevent a launch; choose them intentionally and test after a real restart.
- Save the task, run it once from Task Scheduler, and confirm OBS opens and connects to the intended YouTube broadcast.
What the launch parameter does—and does not do
OBS documents --startstreaming as “Automatically start streaming.” It triggers OBS’s streaming action when OBS launches. It does not, by itself, prove that the right YouTube broadcast has been selected, create a broadcast in every configuration, bypass YouTube’s stream settings, or wait until internet access is available.
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An OBS community discussion about startup after a reboot notes a practical failure mode: automatic reconnect may not recover if the initial connection fails. Treat that as a reason to test your own setup, not as an official guarantee about every OBS installation. A restart can also occur before Windows has restored the network connection or before the router and modem are online.
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Test the restart and connection recovery
- With the intended YouTube event configured, start OBS and verify the preview in YouTube Live Control Room.
- Restart Windows using the same conditions you expect in normal use. Check whether the selected shortcut or scheduled task launches OBS and whether OBS begins streaming.
- In Live Control Room, verify the correct broadcast is receiving the stream. Check both video and audio rather than relying only on OBS showing a connection.
- Repeat the test with the network available as it would be after a power interruption. If the first attempt fails, note whether OBS launched before the connection returned and whether it later reconnects.
- Monitor upload capacity. YouTube recommends leaving bandwidth headroom; when using backup encoder capacity, its streaming-tips page calls for primary bitrate plus backup bitrate plus 20%. This is guidance, not a measured success rate. See YouTube’s streaming tips.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| OBS does not open after restart | The Startup shortcut is not in the relevant user’s Startup folder, the scheduled task trigger did not occur, or the selected task conditions blocked it. | Confirm the account and trigger, inspect Task Scheduler’s last run result, and check that Windows reached the expected sign-in state. |
| OBS opens but does not start streaming | The launch argument may be missing or incorrectly placed, or OBS may not have the expected stream configuration. | Check the shortcut Target or task arguments for --startstreaming; verify the OBS stream settings and YouTube stream key by starting a manual test. |
| OBS starts streaming but YouTube shows no usable preview | The stream key or destination may be wrong, the network may not be ready, or the selected broadcast may not match the intended event. | Confirm the stream key and event in YouTube Live Control Room, check OBS’s connection status, and repeat the test after the network is available. |
| The stream drops and does not recover | A connection disruption can break a stream; recovery after an initial failure is not guaranteed by the launch parameter. | Check network readiness and upload headroom, then test whether OBS reconnects on your particular setup. YouTube recommends monitoring stream quality and checking the Live Control Room preview. |
| The scheduled task behaves differently from a manual launch | The task may use a different account or session, or its working directory may be incorrect. | Set the task’s Start in directory to the folder containing obs64.exe, and test with the task’s chosen logon setting. |
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