To loop a prerecorded video on YouTube Live from a Windows mini PC, add it to OBS Studio as a Media Source, enable Loop, connect OBS to YouTube with the stream URL and key, and keep Windows awake. Check the YouTube preview and stream health before you make the broadcast public. First, confirm your channel is eligible to go live; initial activation can take up to 24 hours.
Before you start: confirm YouTube Live access
Your channel must be verified and must not have had a live-streaming restriction in the previous 90 days. If this is your first live stream, enable live streaming ahead of time: YouTube says activation can take up to 24 hours. YouTube’s live-streaming enablement guidance explains the channel requirements.
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- A Windows mini PC that can run OBS for the planned resolution and frame rate.
- The prerecorded video file saved locally, with its audio checked.
- A reliable internet connection with enough upload capacity for the stream bitrate.
- Access to YouTube Studio for the channel that will host the stream.
There is no universal mini PC processor, memory or graphics requirement established for this setup. Choose a modest output setting the machine can sustain, then test it under load; 60 fps can be considerably more demanding than 30 fps. OBS recommends testing the system ahead of a live session. OBS system requirements and performance guidance.
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Loop one video file
- Install and open OBS Studio, then create or select a scene for the broadcast.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source.
- Create a new source, browse to the video file on the mini PC, and select it.
- Enable Loop in the source properties, then select OK.
- Watch the OBS preview through the end of the file and confirm playback starts again. Check that both picture and audio are present.
OBS Media Source supports common formats including MP4, TS, MOV, MKV, AVI, GIF and WebM. See the OBS Media Sources guide for source behavior and settings.
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Loop a playlist of videos
For a sequence of files, add a VLC Video source instead, add the files to its playlist, and enable Loop Playlist. VLC must be installed. If you are running 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC so the programs’ architectures match. Check the playlist in the preview before connecting to YouTube.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, select Create > Go Live, then open the Stream tab. Create a stream or select one already set up for the broadcast.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown in Live Control Room.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select YouTube if it is available as a service, or enter the YouTube stream URL and key using the custom service fields.
- Apply the settings and select Start Streaming in OBS.
- Return to Live Control Room and wait for YouTube’s incoming-stream preview. Check the video, audio and stream health. When ready, select Go live in YouTube.
Treat the stream key like a password: anyone who has it may be able to send video to your channel. Do not publish or share it. If it is exposed, reset it in YouTube Studio and update OBS with the replacement. See YouTube’s encoder setup instructions.
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Choose output settings and protect the upload connection
Set OBS resolution and frame rate to a level the mini PC can sustain continuously. Do not assume a small PC can handle a demanding output merely because it can play the source file. Start conservatively, test with representative motion and audio, and watch the system and stream health during a sustained run.
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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 errorsYour available upload speed needs to support the stream’s total bitrate. YouTube recommends leaving 20% bandwidth headroom; that is a recommendation, not a guarantee that a connection will never drop. Other devices sharing the network can reduce the capacity available to OBS, and a broken connection can interrupt the broadcast. Review YouTube’s live encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions and its streaming tips when choosing settings.
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Keep the Windows mini PC awake
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > System > Power & battery > Screen, sleep, & hibernate timeouts. Set the sleep timeout so the PC will not sleep during the planned broadcast. You can set the display timeout separately; turning off the screen does not need to mean putting the PC to sleep. Check the setting again if you change power modes or move the mini PC between power sources.
Microsoft documents the Windows 11 controls in power and sleep settings. Menu wording may vary across Windows versions; use the equivalent power and sleep controls if your device is not on Windows 11.
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Preflight, go live and monitor
- Play the video in OBS and confirm its loop restarts cleanly, with no unwanted gap, missing audio or unexpected source behavior.
- Run a test using representative video motion and audio. Confirm the mini PC remains responsive and the upload remains stable for a sustained period.
- Check YouTube’s preview before selecting Go live. During the broadcast, monitor stream health and listen for audio problems; YouTube recommends previewing and monitoring quality.
- Keep the mini PC powered and connected, and avoid heavy competing uploads on the same connection.
- To finish, end the event in YouTube and stop the stream in OBS.
Copyright, reused content and archive limits
Only stream video and audio you have the rights or permission to use. A live loop is still a public YouTube broadcast, so repeating a recording does not remove copyright obligations. YouTube may restrict or interrupt streams that violate its policies. Review YouTube’s copyright guidance and channel monetization policies, including reused-content guidance. Permission to use material and eligibility for monetization are separate questions; a loop by itself does not establish either.
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Troubleshooting a YouTube Live loop
| What you see | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video stops at the end | The Media Source loop option is off, or a playlist loop is not enabled. | Open the source properties and enable Loop for one file or Loop Playlist for a VLC playlist; verify the restart in OBS preview. |
| OBS shows no video or audio | The wrong file or source may be selected, playback may not have started, or the source audio may be muted. | Confirm the file path, source visibility and audio meter in OBS. Play the file through once in preview before streaming. |
| OBS cannot use the VLC source | VLC may not be installed, or its architecture may not match OBS. | Install VLC and, for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC; then restart OBS and check the source again. |
| YouTube does not receive the stream | The service, stream URL or key may be incorrect, or OBS may not have started sending. | Check Settings > Stream, confirm the selected YouTube stream and key, and select Start Streaming. Keep the key private. |
| The stream preview is delayed or unstable | Upload capacity may be insufficient or shared with other network traffic. | Check OBS bitrate against available outbound bandwidth, leave YouTube’s recommended 20% headroom, and reduce competing traffic or lower output settings. |
| The stream ends when the PC is idle | Windows may have entered sleep. | Recheck the sleep timeout under Settings > System > Power & battery and run a test long enough to confirm the PC stays awake. |
| The mini PC struggles or stream health degrades | Output resolution or frame rate may exceed what the machine can sustain during continuous encoding. | Lower resolution or frame rate, then test again under sustained load. OBS notes that 60 fps can demand considerably more resources than 30 fps. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want a mini PC and home connection to stay active, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops the video from the cloud; it does not stream from a camera.
Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and support from the StreamNeo team. The uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Billing options are:
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- Weekly: $2.99 per week
- Monthly: $9.99 per month
- 6 months: $49.99 for 6 months
- Yearly: $89.99 a year
There is no computer to leave running at home, and automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream. In India, UPI and cards are accepted; card checkout is available worldwide. You can cancel any time, and support can discuss five or more slots.
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