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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →You can loop prerecorded videos on YouTube from Ubuntu with OBS Studio: add a Media Source for one video or a VLC Video source for a playlist, enable looping, then connect OBS to a YouTube stream using the stream URL and key from Live Control Room. The loop keeps the media playing; it does not, by itself, restart YouTube broadcasts, guarantee recovery, or ensure a 24-hour stream is archived.
Before you install OBS on Ubuntu
Check compatibility for the exact Ubuntu release and OBS version you intend to use. OBS Studio 33 dropped support for Ubuntu 24.04, according to an OBS Project announcement dated June 19, 2026. The OBS Linux installation article’s Ubuntu 18.04-or-newer guidance dates from 2021, so it should not be treated as confirmation that every newer OBS release supports every Ubuntu version. The current release and package matrix is not established here.
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OBS lists OpenGL 3.3 support and an X window system or Wayland as Linux requirements. Meeting those baseline requirements does not guarantee that a computer can encode and stream reliably; performance depends on the system and workload.
Install OBS Studio
The OBS Project’s Ubuntu installation article gives the following PPA and apt commands:
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- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:obsproject/obs-studio
sudo apt install obs-studioBecause the installation guidance is dated and OBS 33 changes the Ubuntu support picture, verify that the PPA and OBS version you plan to install support your Ubuntu release before relying on this setup for an unattended broadcast.
Set up the prerecorded video or playlist
Loop one video with Media Source
- Open OBS and select or create the scene that will show on the stream.
- In the Sources panel, add a Media Source and choose the local video file.
- Enable Loop in the source properties, then confirm the video is visible and plays again when it reaches the end.
- Check that the audio is present and at an appropriate level before broadcasting.
OBS documents common formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. A single looping source repeats that file; it does not create separate YouTube broadcasts or archive segments.
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Loop several videos with VLC Video
- Install VLC on the Ubuntu system before using the OBS VLC Video source. OBS notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add a VLC Video source in OBS and configure its playlist with the videos you want to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist (on by default according to OBS documentation) and check playback, playlist order, and visibility in the scene.
Use a playlist when the stream should rotate through multiple recordings. Configure the order or shuffle behavior you want rather than assuming the source will arrange videos for you.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or select the stream.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that stream.
- In OBS, open the stream settings, select the YouTube service or configure the server and key, and enter the values from Live Control Room. Keep the stream key private: it connects an encoder to the channel’s stream.
- Start the encoder in OBS. For a scheduled stream, wait for the preview in Live Control Room and click Go live there as directed by YouTube.
- Confirm the stream appears as expected in YouTube and monitor its stream health.
YouTube says first-time live streaming enablement can take up to 24 hours, so complete that setup well before the planned start. Starting the encoder sends the content; for a scheduled broadcast, follow YouTube’s preview and Go live steps.
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Choose encoder settings and monitor the connection
For the standard OBS-to-YouTube workflow, YouTube recommends RTMP or RTMPS ingestion. Its encoder guidance recommends H.264, constant bitrate (CBR), and a 2-second keyframe interval; do not exceed 4 seconds. Choose resolution and bitrate for the intended output and a stable upload connection rather than selecting a setting the connection cannot sustain.
- Transport: RTMPS encrypts the connection to Google’s servers. RTMP is also part of YouTube’s standard encoder workflow.
- Rate control: Use CBR as YouTube recommends for this workflow.
- Keyframes: Set a 2-second interval; keep it at or below 4 seconds.
- Resolution and bitrate: Match them to the target stream and the upload capacity available on the Ubuntu machine.
- Test and monitor: Test with representative video motion and audio, check upload capacity, and watch stream health while live.
YouTube also documents HLS ingestion for compatible workflows. It requires TS segments, 1–4-second segment duration, a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments, and HTTPS POST/PUT. YouTube notes that HLS has higher latency than RTMP, so it is not the simplest default for a basic OBS loop.
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Plan for YouTube’s 12-hour archive limit
YouTube’s encoder guidance says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. It does not promise automatic archiving for one uninterrupted stream lasting 24 hours or longer. YouTube also warns that DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable for streams longer than 12 hours.
Decide whether your priority is uninterrupted viewing, archived segments, or both. Ending and starting separate broadcasts can create distinct broadcast segments, but it interrupts the continuous stream. The OBS media-loop settings cover playback only: they do not manage YouTube broadcast rotation, create archive segments, or provide unattended recovery. Verify the resulting behavior in Live Control Room for your channel; the documented guidance does not establish a fully automatic, reliable rotation recipe.
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Common problems and fixes
- OBS will not install or update: Check the OBS version, package source, and Ubuntu release combination before troubleshooting the command itself. OBS 33’s support change means older Ubuntu installation guidance may not apply.
- The video does not repeat: Reopen the Media Source properties and check Loop. For a playlist, confirm the VLC Video source is configured and Loop Playlist is enabled.
- VLC Video is unavailable or fails to play: Install VLC and make sure its architecture matches OBS; OBS requires 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS.
- The stream does not appear in YouTube: Check that the stream URL and key match the selected stream, then verify the encoder is sending and inspect stream health in Live Control Room. Keep the key private.
- Playback or stream health is unstable: Test representative audio and motion, check upload capacity, and reduce the selected output demands if the connection cannot sustain them.
- The stream is live but the archive or rewind is missing: Check whether it exceeded 12 hours. Automatic archiving is stated for streams under that limit, and DVR may be restricted beyond it.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want an Ubuntu computer and home connection running continuously, StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live from uploaded recordings. Upload a video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops from the cloud, so your computer can be off; it also automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Uploaded quality is kept as made, up to 4K 60fps, for one flat price per slot. The first day is free with no card. Monthly access is $9.99 per month.
Quick Recap
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