For a 24/7 OBS broadcast, the practical approach is to run a logger that connects to OBS through obs-websocket, records output-state events with timestamps, and periodically requests a fresh status snapshot. That combination captures changes while the connection is healthy and gives the logger a way to resynchronize after a disconnect. OBS reports its own output state; that alone does not prove that YouTube or another destination is receiving and presenting the stream correctly.
Choose where the logger runs
OBS supports two broad approaches: an external application that connects through obs-websocket, or a Python or Lua script loaded inside OBS. The OBS Developer Guide covers both external clients and scripts.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Approach | What it depends on | Design consideration |
|---|---|---|
| External WebSocket client | OBS’s WebSocket endpoint, client software and its runtime | The logger can remain running if OBS exits, so it can record the loss of its connection and attempt to reconnect. It still needs a separate restart plan if the logger or machine stops. |
| Python or Lua script in OBS | OBS and its scripting runtime | The script shares OBS’s process lifecycle. Keep work off the render-frame loop; use a timer for periodic work rather than checking on every frame. |
OBS Studio 28 and later include WebSocket support by default. Older versions may need the separate legacy plugin; check the OBS Remote Control Guide for version-specific details.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutePlan what the log means
Use a consistent timestamp format and timezone, and make each line understandable on its own. A newline-delimited format is easy to inspect and process later. A conceptual record can include:
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- Timestamp
- Observed OBS output state
- Event or reason, when the protocol provides one
- Logger connection state, including disconnects and reconnections
Write a startup snapshot, state transitions, periodic health snapshots, and a fresh snapshot after reconnecting. The snapshot after reconnect matters because events may have been missed while the client was offline. Treat polling as a point-in-time observation: it cannot establish what happened between polls.
Choose the polling interval based on how quickly you need to detect a change and how much write volume is acceptable. The OBS documentation does not prescribe an interval or a turnkey file logger. Bound or rotate the file so it cannot grow indefinitely, and arrange for the logger to restart after a process or machine restart; these are operational choices, not OBS settings.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Build an external WebSocket logger
- Confirm the OBS version and endpoint. In OBS, open Tools > WebSocket Server Settings and confirm the server is enabled. Set a password and keep the endpoint accessible only to the local machine or a trusted network.
- Connect and authenticate. Use a WebSocket client compatible with the protocol version installed with OBS. Authenticate using the configured password, following the protocol’s handshake. OBS’s generated protocol reference describes its request/response and event model.
- Subscribe to output events. Request the event subscriptions relevant to the output whose state you want to track. Verify exact request names, event names, and payload fields against the protocol reference for your installed version; they can vary by protocol version.
- Write transitions to disk. When an output-state event arrives, append a timestamped record rather than replacing earlier records. Include the logger’s own connection state so a gap in OBS observations is visible.
- Request periodic snapshots. Make a status request on a timer and append the returned state as a health snapshot. On reconnect, authenticate again, restore the event subscription, and request a new snapshot before treating the event stream as current.
- Test failure paths. With a noncritical test broadcast, check that startup, a state change, a client disconnect, and a reconnect produce records. Verify that timestamps use the intended timezone and that rotation or file bounds work.
This is an implementation outline, not tested executable code. The protocol reference should be treated as authoritative for the exact message structure; do not assume an event payload or client-library API based on a different OBS version.
Use an in-process Python or Lua script
- In OBS, open Tools > Scripts and load a Python or Lua script. The OBS Scripting Guide describes script lifecycle and callbacks.
- Use script load and unload handling to open and close the log cleanly. Record an initial snapshot when the script starts, then write relevant output-state changes if supported by the hooks available to that script and OBS version.
- Use a timer for periodic status checks rather than doing recurrent work on every rendered frame. Keep file writes brief and handle errors so a full or unavailable disk does not disrupt OBS.
- Test script reloads, OBS restarts, and logging failures. If OBS stops, an in-process script stops with it; the log cannot report the outage until OBS and the script run again.
OBS warns that repeated logging in script_tick can make the application unresponsive: “Be very careful with the code in script_tick, OBS may rapidly become unresponsive if some error or text is logged every frame.” See the Scripting Guide and keep recurring checks off that per-frame path.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Secure and interpret the log
obs-websocket can control OBS, not just read status. OBS highly recommends password protection in its Remote Control Guide. Do not expose the endpoint to the public internet for logging; use authentication and restrict access to the machine or trusted network the logger needs.
A record that OBS says an output is active is evidence of OBS’s local output state, not confirmation that the destination platform is healthy, showing the stream, or delivering it to viewers. Use the destination’s own live-status tools separately if you need end-to-end confirmation. When the logger is disconnected, its log describes the gap as unknown; a reconnect snapshot reports current state but cannot reconstruct missed transitions.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Troubleshoot common logging gaps
- The client cannot connect: Confirm the OBS WebSocket server is enabled, the host and port match its settings, and the client supports the installed protocol version. Check local firewall rules before widening network access.
- Authentication fails: Re-enter the configured password and use a client that implements the protocol’s authentication handshake. Do not remove password protection to make a logger connect.
- Events stop appearing: Check that the client requested the correct event subscriptions and is still connected. Reconnect, authenticate, resubscribe, and request a fresh status snapshot.
- The file has gaps: Look for logger disconnect records, process restarts, permissions errors, or a full disk. A poll only observes state at its sampling time and cannot fill every gap.
- OBS becomes sluggish: If using an in-process script, remove per-frame checks or logging and move recurring work to a timer. Also avoid unnecessarily frequent polling or excessive file writes.
- The log says active but the stream is not visible: The local OBS state does not establish destination health. Check the platform’s live dashboard and network/output diagnostics independently.
Or let it run in the cloud
Logging OBS status does not itself keep an OBS broadcast alive. If the goal is a prerecorded YouTube channel running 24/7 without a home computer left on, StreamNeo is a separate cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It plays uploaded videos; it does not stream from a camera.
Recommended Free Tools
- Nothing has to stay on at home; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud.
- Any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps streams as made, at one flat price per slot.
- It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, one free day per account.
Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo, or start your free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
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.
