To make a static-image radio stream on YouTube, create a scene in OBS Studio with an image source and a looping audio file, then send that scene to YouTube through Live Control Room. Check the preview and stream health before going live. The image remains on screen while the audio plays; the computer running OBS must stay on and connected for the stream to continue.
What you need
- A YouTube channel eligible to livestream: it must be verified and have had no live-stream restrictions in the past 90 days. Streamers must be at least 16 years old. See YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility guidance.
- OBS Studio or another encoder that can send a stream to YouTube over RTMP or RTMPS.
- An image for the on-screen artwork and an audio file you have permission to broadcast.
- A stable internet connection with upload capacity above the bitrate you select.
OBS documents separate Image and Media sources, making it possible to show artwork while playing an audio file. Its Media Source documentation lists MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV, and includes a Loop setting for repeating a file. See the OBS Sources Guide and OBS Media Sources documentation.
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Build the image-and-audio scene in OBS
- Create a scene. In OBS, use the Scenes panel to add a scene for the radio stream. Give it a recognizable name so you can identify it if you use other scenes.
- Add the artwork. In Sources, select + and choose Image. Select your image file. Resize and position it to fill the canvas; use the preview to check for empty borders or cropping. If you want the image to change over time, OBS also supports an image slideshow source.
- Add the audio. In Sources, select + and choose Media Source. Select the audio file. Enable Loop if it should repeat when playback ends. Confirm the source is not muted and watch the audio meter while it plays.
- Check the composition and sound. Ensure the image fills the intended frame and that the audio is audible without clipping. Let the file reach its end during a test if you need to verify the loop behavior.
Keep the image and audio as separate sources: this makes it easier to replace artwork or audio without rebuilding the entire scene.
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- Open YouTube Studio and select Create → Go live to open Live Control Room. Start a stream immediately or schedule one.
- In the stream settings, copy the stream URL and stream key. Treat the key like a password: do not show it on screen, publish it, or share it. If you use RTMPS, reveal and copy the RTMPS URL in the stream settings; YouTube recommends RTMPS, the encrypted version of RTMP. See YouTube’s encoder setup instructions and RTMPS guidance.
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream. Choose YouTube if it is available as a service preset. Otherwise choose a custom server, then paste the YouTube server URL and stream key into the corresponding fields. Apply the settings.
- Configure the output and video settings described below, then select Start Streaming in OBS.
- Wait for the incoming preview in Live Control Room. For a scheduled stream, check the preview and then select Go live there. For an immediate stream, follow the Live Control Room controls and confirm the stream is actually live.
To end the broadcast, stop streaming in OBS and end the stream in Live Control Room. YouTube automatically archives streams shorter than 12 hours; that is YouTube’s stated archive behavior, not a guarantee that every other stream length will be archived.
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Choose settings that match YouTube’s guidance
Use YouTube’s current encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions table to select a video bitrate for your chosen resolution, frame rate, and ingestion codec. The appropriate recommendation changes with those choices, so do not treat one bitrate as universal. Leave upload headroom rather than using your entire measured upstream capacity.
- Protocol: RTMPS is recommended by YouTube; use the matching RTMPS URL from Live Control Room when configuring a compatible encoder.
- Video codec: YouTube’s published guidance supports H.264, H.265, or AV1 ingestion, up to 60 frames per second. Encoder availability may vary by computer and OBS configuration.
- Rate control: Use CBR, as specified in YouTube’s published settings.
- Keyframes: Set a two-second keyframe interval; YouTube says not to exceed four seconds.
- Audio: YouTube supports AAC or MP3. For stereo, its recommendation is a 44.1 kHz sample rate and 128 kbps audio bitrate.
These are platform settings and recommendations, not a promise that every computer or connection can sustain them. Test the selected settings before an important broadcast and monitor stream health and audio/video quality while live. YouTube’s encoder guidance recommends testing beforehand; its setup tips also advise configuring encoders in advance and checking the preview. OBS’s output controls and labels can differ by version and output mode.
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Clear rights for both the music and the image
Having a file on your computer does not establish permission to broadcast it. Obtain the necessary rights for both the audio and artwork before streaming, including any music, photographs, illustrations, or other third-party material. YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content, including content that is itself part of another broadcast. If a match is detected, YouTube may replace the stream with a placeholder image and may interrupt or terminate the stream if the content remains.
A license alone may not prevent an interruption: YouTube says that a rights owner may need to add a licensed channel to its Content ID allowlist. Resolve that with the rights owner before going live. Read YouTube’s guidance on copyright issues with live streams.
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Test before the real broadcast
- Confirm the artwork fills the preview at the intended resolution and is not obscured by another source.
- Listen to the audio and verify the OBS meter responds; check the loop by letting the file finish.
- Confirm the correct YouTube stream URL and key are saved in OBS, and keep the key private.
- Check that Live Control Room receives the preview and reports healthy stream status before starting a scheduled broadcast.
- Make a short test stream if this workflow is new, then review the archived result and sound before committing to a longer session.
Troubleshoot common problems
YouTube receives no signal
Check that OBS is streaming, the correct server URL and key are entered, and the channel is eligible to livestream. If you changed or reset the key in YouTube, update OBS with the current one. For RTMPS, confirm you used the RTMPS URL rather than a different server address.
The image is black, cropped, or has borders
Check that the Image source is visible and points to the intended file. In the OBS preview, resize or reposition it to fill the canvas; a source with a different aspect ratio may need cropping or borders to avoid distortion.
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The stream is silent or the file stops
Make sure the Media Source is not muted and its audio meter moves during playback. Confirm the file format is supported by OBS Media Source, then enable Loop if it should repeat. Re-test the transition at the end of the file.
The stream health is poor or playback buffers
Use the bitrate recommendation for the selected resolution, frame rate, and codec in YouTube’s current settings table. Reduce the output bitrate or resolution if the connection cannot sustain it, leave upload headroom, and test again. Monitor stream health rather than assuming that a successful connection means stable delivery.
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YouTube replaces the image or interrupts the broadcast
This can happen when YouTube identifies third-party content. Check the audio and visual rights, and ask the rights owner to allowlist your channel if required for licensed material. A static image does not exempt the audio or artwork from copyright checks.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want the YouTube channel to keep playing uploaded audio-video content without leaving OBS or a computer running at home, StreamNeo is a cloud option. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos from the cloud; it does not broadcast a camera feed.
- Nothing at home has to stay on for the stream to continue.
- Each slot streams uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot rather than quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically attempts recovery 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. StreamNeo is YouTube-only. See StreamNeo or the plan details. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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