To loop a video on YouTube Live, turn on Loop for an OBS Media Source—or enable Loop Playlist for an OBS VLC Video source—then send OBS’s output to YouTube using your stream URL and stream key. The loop repeats media on your computer; it does not keep the broadcast running if the encoder or computer stops. Treat the stream key like a password: keep it off-screen and reset it in YouTube Studio if it may have been exposed.
What you need before starting
- A YouTube channel eligible to livestream. YouTube’s guidance says channels need verification, no live-stream restrictions in the previous 90 days, and the creator must be at least 16. Check YouTube’s current live-streaming eligibility requirements before scheduling.
- OBS Studio and a local video file, or OBS plus VLC if you want to loop a playlist. OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC to be installed; if OBS is 64-bit, OBS says to use 64-bit VLC.
- A stable computer and internet connection while the broadcast is running. The encoder sends the video feed to YouTube, so looping the file alone does not make the broadcast self-sustaining.
- Permission to broadcast the video and all included audio. A loop does not change the copyright status of its contents.
YouTube says first-time livestream activation may take up to 24 hours. Allow time for activation before a planned event.
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Loop one video in OBS
- Create or select a YouTube livestream. In YouTube Studio, open the Live Control Room and create or select a stream. In its Stream settings, copy the stream URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions explain where to enter them.
- Make a scene in OBS. In OBS, add a scene if you do not already have one, then add a Media Source to that scene.
- Select the file and enable looping. In the Media Source properties, choose the local video file and turn on Loop. OBS documents this setting as replaying the file after it finishes; Loop is off by default. Its Media Sources guide covers the available sources and options.
- Set OBS to send to YouTube. Open OBS stream settings, select YouTube if available, and enter the stream URL and key from YouTube Studio. Do not expose the key in a screen share, screenshot, recording, public post, or the broadcast output.
- Check the preview and go live. Start streaming from OBS. For a scheduled stream, wait for the preview in YouTube’s Live Control Room, check stream visibility and metadata, then select Go live.
The video should restart when playback reaches the end. If the OBS output stops, the YouTube broadcast can stop too: the loop setting only controls playback of the local media source.
Loop a playlist instead of one file
- Install VLC. If your OBS installation is 64-bit, use 64-bit VLC as OBS specifies.
- In OBS, add a VLC Video source to the scene.
- Add the video files to the source’s playlist and turn on Loop Playlist.
- Check the source in the OBS preview, then use the same YouTube connection and go-live steps as for a single file.
Use Media Source when one file should repeat. Use VLC Video when you want multiple files to play in sequence and repeat as a playlist. VLC is an additional dependency; Media Source is built into OBS.
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Protect the YouTube stream key
YouTube describes stream keys this way: “Stream keys are like your YouTube stream’s password and address.” The key lets the encoder connect to the correct stream, so handle it as a credential.
- Paste it only into the encoder’s stream-key field. Keep that field out of screenshots, tutorials, screen recordings, public posts, and the live output.
- Limit channel administrative access to people you trust; YouTube includes this advice in its streaming safety tips.
- If you think the key was exposed, open YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room, go to Stream, and reset it. Replace the old value in OBS with the new key before streaming. YouTube says only a channel owner or manager can reset a key; see Manage live stream settings.
- A custom stream key can be reused. Reusing stream settings also carries over the previous stream’s metadata, settings, and key, so review visibility and metadata before starting another broadcast.
Set visibility separately from key security
In YouTube Studio’s stream settings, choose the audience visibility that fits the broadcast: Public, Private, or Unlisted. Visibility controls who can find or watch the stream; keeping the key secret controls who can send an encoder feed. One does not replace the other.
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YouTube says the default visibility differs by age: users aged 13–17 default to Private, while adults 18 or older default to Public. Confirm the setting yourself before going live rather than relying on a default.
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Plan for long streams and recordings
YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. If you need a recording, keep a local archive backup rather than relying only on YouTube’s automatic archive. A local recording also protects against losing the full video if the stream is interrupted.
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HLS is an optional delivery protocol, not a requirement for this basic OBS loop. YouTube’s HLS documentation describes it as higher latency than RTMP and lists protocol-specific requirements; use it only if your encoder workflow calls for it.
Common problems and fixes
The video plays once and stops
For a single file, reopen the Media Source properties and confirm Loop is enabled. For multiple files, confirm the source is VLC Video and that Loop Playlist is enabled.
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YouTube shows no incoming video
Confirm OBS is streaming, the correct YouTube stream URL and key are entered, and the selected scene contains the media source. For a scheduled broadcast, wait until YouTube displays the encoder preview before selecting Go live.
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The key no longer works
Check that OBS contains the current key for the selected stream. If you reset the key or suspect exposure, replace the value in OBS with the new one. Only a channel owner or manager can reset it through YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room under Stream.
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The playlist source is unavailable
Install VLC and check that its architecture matches OBS; OBS specifically notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. If you only need one repeating file, use the built-in Media Source instead.
The stream ends when the computer shuts down
That is expected with this local encoder workflow: OBS must keep sending its output to YouTube. A media loop repeats the file, but it does not run the encoder in the cloud or guarantee uninterrupted uptime.
The stream is live but the archive is missing or incomplete
Check the stream length. YouTube says an automatic archive is possible for streams under 12 hours, but a stream longer than 12 hours may not be captured. Keep a local recording if the archive matters.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsOr let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a YouTube channel that keeps uploaded videos playing without leaving a computer on, StreamNeo is a cloud alternative. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud; it does not broadcast from a camera.
- Nothing has to stay powered on at home for the cloud stream to continue.
- One flat price per slot covers the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, without re-encoding or quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free, with no card required; one free day is available per account.
Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. The same product is available on daily, weekly, six-month, and yearly billing; UPI and cards are supported in India, and card checkout is available worldwide. See StreamNeo for details, then start the free day.
Quick Recap
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