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How to Rotate a YouTube Livestream Playlist When the Queue Runs Out

In OBS, add a VLC Video source, load your files, and enable Loop Playlist to restart playback when the queue runs out.
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For a YouTube livestream produced in OBS, add your files to an OBS VLC Video source and turn on Loop Playlist. OBS then restarts that media source when it reaches the end of its list. This controls playback in the outgoing stream—not the Loop button a viewer uses in YouTube.

Choose the loop that matches what you want to repeat

What you want to repeat Where to set it What the setting repeats
Several local media files in the livestream OBS VLC Video source → Loop Playlist Restarts the source after it runs out of media files. OBS Project documentation
One local media file in the livestream OBS Media Source → Loop Replays that file when it finishes. OBS Project documentation
A YouTube playlist while watching it YouTube player playlist → Loop Repeats playback for the viewer; it does not change what an OBS encoder sends. YouTube Help

Set up a looping playlist in OBS

  1. Install OBS Studio and VLC. VLC is required for OBS’s VLC Video source. Match the software architectures: OBS says 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. OBS Project documentation
  2. Add a VLC Video source to the broadcast scene. In OBS, select the scene you plan to use, add a source, and choose VLC Video. This source supports a playlist; the separate Media Source is for a single local file. OBS Project documentation
  3. Load and order your files. Add the local media items to the VLC Video playlist and arrange them in the order you want. Leave Shuffle Playlist off for that fixed order; enable it if you want randomized playback. Shuffle changes the order, while looping determines what happens after the list ends. OBS Project documentation
  4. Enable Loop Playlist. In the source properties, make sure Loop Playlist is on. OBS describes it as specifying whether the source restarts after it has run out of media files; its documentation lists the default as On. OBS Project documentation
  5. Set visibility behavior for your scene workflow. VLC Video’s Visibility Behaviour determines whether playback continues, pauses, or stops when the source is hidden. OBS documents the default as stopping when not visible and restarting when visible. If your broadcast switches scenes and the playlist must keep advancing, choose a behavior that continues playback while hidden. OBS Project documentation
  6. Preview the end of the queue. Before relying on the setup live, observe the transition from the final item back to the first and confirm that your chosen visibility behavior works when changing scenes.
  7. Start the encoder and complete YouTube’s live setup. OBS playback looping is only one part of the broadcast. YouTube’s production guide treats encoder preview and the Live Control Room’s Go Live action as separate stages. YouTube/Google live-production guide

Why a looping playlist may still stop appearing live

Loop Playlist handles the end of the media queue; it is not an uptime guarantee. It does not, by itself, keep the computer, OBS, network connection, or YouTube broadcast running. Those are separate parts of delivery, as reflected in YouTube’s encoder and Live Control Room workflow. YouTube/Google live-production guide

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  • The last file plays and then playback ends: Reopen the VLC Video source properties and check that Loop Playlist is enabled.
  • Playback order changes unexpectedly: Check Shuffle Playlist; turn it off if the list should always play in its listed order.
  • The playlist pauses or restarts after a scene change: Review Visibility Behaviour and select the behavior that matches whether playback should continue while hidden.
  • VLC Video is unavailable or cannot load media: Confirm VLC is installed and its architecture matches OBS; 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC. Also verify that the playlist items point to accessible local files.
  • The media loops but the broadcast is offline: Check the encoder and YouTube Live Control Room separately. A source loop does not restart a failed broadcast.

Check rights before looping prerecorded content

YouTube’s live-production guidance says creators should secure necessary clearances for livestreaming, rebroadcasting, and audio or video on demand. It also advises checking whether performance rights cover live use, archived use, or both. Rights depend on the content and the applicable arrangements, so a playlist setting does not establish permission to stream the files. YouTube/Google live-production guide

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Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is not just to repeat the queue but to keep a YouTube channel running without leaving a computer on, StreamNeo is a cloud service for looping uploaded videos or playlists. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one price per slot, and it can recover automatically if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month.

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