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There is no single FFmpeg switch that makes every part of a 24/7 stream reconnect. Match the fix to what failed: use HTTP reconnect options for an HTTP input, the FIFO muxer for temporary RTMP output failures, -stream_loop -1 to repeat a local file, and an operating-system service manager to restart FFmpeg if the process exits.
These are separate recovery layers. Input reconnect does not necessarily repair a failed output; FIFO recovery cannot restart an FFmpeg process that has exited; and restarting the process cannot fix a bad stream key or other persistent configuration error. The source type, destination protocol, operating system, and FFmpeg build determine which settings apply.
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Identify what needs to reconnect
Start by locating the failure rather than adding every retry option to one command. The patterns below follow FFmpeg’s documentation checked on October 3, 2026; an installed or custom build may differ from the current online documentation.
| What failed | Recovery layer | What it does not solve |
|---|---|---|
| An HTTP input disconnects | HTTP protocol reconnect options | A separate output failure or an FFmpeg process that has exited |
| An RTMP output temporarily fails | FIFO muxer output recovery | A dead process, rejected credentials, or a persistently invalid destination |
| A local music file reaches its end | -stream_loop -1 before that input |
Playlist ordering, shuffling, gapless transitions, or network recovery |
| The FFmpeg process exits | Operating-system service manager | Persistent errors such as a missing source file or invalid stream key |
Loop a local music file to an RTMP destination
For one local track, put -stream_loop -1 before the corresponding -i. FFmpeg defines -1 as infinite looping, and the option applies to the next input. The following is an illustrative pattern combining that behavior with FIFO output recovery:
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ffmpeg -stream_loop -1 -re -i "/path/to/music-file.mp3"
-vn -c:a aac -b:a 128k
-f fifo -fifo_format flv
-attempt_recovery 1 -recovery_wait_time 1
-drop_pkts_on_overflow 1
"rtmp://YOUR_HOST/YOUR_APP/YOUR_STREAM_KEY"Replace the file path, codec settings, and destination with values supported by your actual source and platform. This combined command is an example, not a tested end-to-end configuration. Keep the stream key out of public scripts, screenshots, and logs; use the secret-handling method available in your deployment.
Using a playlist instead of one file
Looping one file does not create a shuffled or gapless radio playlist. Choose a playlist or other source strategy that produces the desired track order and metadata, then test transitions and recovery at the actual destination. Do not assume gapless playback or shuffle behavior without verifying it.
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Reconnect an HTTP input
HTTP reconnect settings belong before the HTTP input they govern. For example:
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ffmpeg -reconnect 1 -reconnect_at_eof 1 -reconnect_streamed 1
-reconnect_delay_max 30
-i "https://YOUR_HTTP_SOURCE" ...OUTPUT_OPTIONS...This is an illustrative input pattern, not a configuration verified against a particular Hindi-music provider. FFmpeg also documents reconnect_on_http_error for selected HTTP status codes, including 4xx and 5xx groups, as well as reconnect_max_retries and reconnect_delay_total_max. Set retry conditions and limits to suit the source provider, and confirm that the provider permits reconnections.
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These options apply to HTTP protocol inputs. They are not a universal RTMP output recovery switch. Check the help or documentation for your installed FFmpeg version before relying on an option.
Recover a temporary RTMP output failure
For a temporary network failure at an RTMP output, FFmpeg documents using the FIFO muxer with output recovery. The example above uses -attempt_recovery 1 and a one-second -recovery_wait_time; FFmpeg’s documented example retries indefinitely with that interval. The interval is a configuration example, not a reliability measurement or guarantee.
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Queue behavior matters. With -drop_pkts_on_overflow 1, a full queue drops packets so encoding can continue, which can omit audio or video. Without dropping, the encoder can block while the muxer catches up. Choose based on whether continued forward progress or avoiding dropped packets is more important for the use case.
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Restart FFmpeg if the process exits
A service manager can supervise the FFmpeg process and restart it after an exit. Its exact configuration depends on the operating system and service-manager version. Check the target system’s documentation for restart policy, delay, start limits, boot behavior, and logging; there is no OS-independent unit file that can be safely prescribed here.
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Test the configured behavior by deliberately stopping the process in a controlled environment, then confirm that it restarts as expected. A supervisor can relaunch FFmpeg, but repeated launches will not correct a bad key, unavailable source file, incompatible output configuration, or other persistent error.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify the stream and diagnose failures
- Identify both endpoints. Record whether the source is a local file or an HTTP stream, and whether the destination is RTMP or another protocol. The right options depend on those protocols.
- Check the build. Inspect the installed FFmpeg version and its local help or documentation; packaged and custom builds may not match the current online documentation.
- Run the command interactively. Confirm that the destination accepts the connection and that playable audio is produced. A running FFmpeg process alone does not prove listeners are receiving valid audio.
- Exercise the relevant failure path. Test input reconnect, output recovery, or process supervision separately where practical, and verify playback at the destination after reconnection.
- Review logs and destination status. Look for rejected credentials, unavailable sources, protocol errors, and whether the destination reports a live stream. Monitor playback with a client as well.
- Check the host conditions. Network stability, bandwidth, and power continuity affect a continuously running deployment.
Common symptoms and fixes
- The HTTP source drops and does not return: ensure the HTTP reconnect options are placed before that input, choose retry conditions appropriate to the provider, and check provider reconnect rules.
- The RTMP output drops while FFmpeg remains running: configure FIFO output recovery for the RTMP output and inspect logs and destination status to confirm the connection returns.
- Audio is missing after a network interruption: if the FIFO queue overflows with packet dropping enabled, dropped packets can account for missing content. Review the queue trade-off and confirm playback at the destination.
- FFmpeg is no longer running: configure and test process supervision separately from input and output recovery.
- FFmpeg restarts but the stream still fails: investigate persistent causes such as a bad stream key, missing file, or unsupported output settings; retries do not repair them.
- The process appears healthy but listeners hear nothing: verify playable audio from a client and check the destination status rather than treating process existence as proof of a working stream.
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