Before updating the PC that runs a 24/7 YouTube stream, export the active OBS Profile and Scene Collection separately, copy both exports off the PC, and preserve the media and other files they reference. A Profile backs up stream, video, and output settings; a Scene Collection backs up scenes and sources. Neither export replaces the other.
What to back up—and what each export contains
| Backup | Contains | Does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Profile | Stream settings, including connected account; video settings, including base/canvas resolution; and output settings. OBS describes Profile export as a JSON backup that can also be used with another OBS installation. (OBS Project, Profiles, January 14, 2022) | Scenes or sources. |
| OBS Scene Collection | Scenes and sources, including Global Audio Sources configured through Settings → Audio. (OBS Project, Scene Collections, January 14, 2022) | Output settings. |
| Referenced files and plugin data | Files you copy separately, such as local images, videos, audio, overlays, and browser-source assets. Some plugins may also keep configuration outside the standard exports. | These are not guaranteed to be packaged by Profile or Scene Collection export. Portable Mode also does not automatically package linked media files. (OBS Project, Running in Portable Mode, July 23, 2024) |
Export OBS settings before the update
- Record what is active. In OBS, note the current Profile and Scene Collection names. If the PC uses different profiles or collections for different streams or operating modes, identify each one you need to preserve.
- Export each Profile. Open the Profile menu, choose Import/Export, then export the current Profile settings to a JSON file. Repeat for each required Profile, switching to it before exporting.
- Export each Scene Collection. Open the Scene Collection menu and export the active collection. Repeat for each collection you need, switching to it first.
- Label and verify the files. Use filenames that identify the Profile or collection and, if useful, the date. Confirm the JSON exports and collection export are present and readable before starting maintenance.
- Copy the backup off the stream PC. Store the exports on another device or location. An offline USB drive or external SSD is an optional practical choice; the important point is that a PC update should not be the only thing between you and the backups. For a business-critical stream, keep a second copy.
- Copy referenced assets and relevant plugin data. Gather local media, graphics, scripts, and any plugin-specific settings your setup depends on. Keep the files organized so you can restore paths or reconnect sources later.
OBS documents Profile and Scene Collection exports as separate configuration backups; it does not claim that they preserve every plugin’s private configuration or all files referenced by sources. Treat those items as separate backup work.
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Plan the maintenance window and preflight
A 24/7 stream cannot be assumed to survive a PC or OBS update without interruption. Schedule maintenance, stop the broadcast cleanly, and allow time to verify the restored setup before resuming. OBS’s configuration documentation does not promise a no-downtime update method.
- Before stopping, make sure the exports and copied assets are off the PC and that you know which Profile and Scene Collection should be active.
- After the update, open OBS and select or confirm the intended Profile and Scene Collection.
- Inspect critical sources and local asset paths, check audio meters, and review video and output settings.
- Check the stream destination or connected account and confirm the correct stream key or account configuration is available.
- When possible, use a private or unlisted test—or another safe preflight—to confirm the stream behaves as expected before returning to the normal broadcast.
- Keep the backups until the updated setup has been checked during a normal stream cycle.
Portable Mode and manual fallback
Portable Mode is not an asset backup
On Windows, OBS Portable Mode can keep OBS configuration in the application directory, which supports moving the setup or running separate instances. It requires the ZIP version, and referenced scene media is not automatically made portable; paths may need adjustment. It is therefore not a substitute for copying linked assets. (OBS Project, Running in Portable Mode)
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Use the configuration folder only as a fallback
An older OBS forum moderator reply identifies %APPDATA%obs-studio as a settings location and also mentions exporting the Profile and Scene Collection. Because that forum advice is secondary and dated January 5, 2021, prefer the current in-app exports for the two documented configuration types; a folder copy is a supplementary fallback, not proof that every dependency is backed up. (OBS Project Forums, Save Settings)
If OBS does not start normally after updating
OBS documents --safe-mode as a launch option that disables third-party plugins, scripts, and websockets. It can help diagnose startup problems, but the altered runtime is not a normal streaming configuration. The --disable-updater option is documented for Windows and macOS when an operator needs to disable the built-in updater. Use launch options deliberately and consult the OBS documentation for syntax and platform details. (OBS Project, Launch Parameters, May 30, 2021)
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Common backup and recovery problems
- Scenes are missing after importing a Profile: Profiles do not store scenes. Import or select the separately exported Scene Collection.
- Output settings are missing after loading a Scene Collection: Scene Collections do not store output settings. Restore or select the corresponding Profile.
- A source shows missing media: The collection can contain the source description without making its referenced file portable. Restore the media and update the source path in OBS.
- A plugin or script behaves differently: Plugin-specific configuration may not be included in the standard exports. Restore the plugin and its separately preserved data, then test before resuming.
- The wrong setup loads: Compare the active Profile and Scene Collection names with the notes you made before the update, then switch to the intended pair and inspect critical settings.
- The backup exists only on the PC being updated: Copy it elsewhere before maintenance; a local export alone does not protect against problems affecting that machine or its storage.
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