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To play videos from a folder in random order on YouTube Live, add the files you want to a VLC Video source in OBS, then enable Shuffle Playlist and Loop Playlist in that source’s properties. OBS uses a playlist rather than automatically watching a folder for new files, and VLC must be installed for the source to appear. OBS’s Media Sources guide describes the source and its controls.
Before you start
- Install VLC. OBS requires it for VLC Video to show up as an available source. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC as well.
- Gather the local video files you want to include. You will add those files to the OBS playlist; the documented setup does not automatically monitor a folder for changes.
- Use a scene in OBS that you intend to stream. A source must be present and visible in the active scene to appear in the output.
OBS lists VLC Video as available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, subject to the VLC requirement. Its documented video formats include .mp4, .ts, .mov, .flv, .mkv, .avi, .gif, and .webm; supported audio formats include .mp3, .aac, .ogg, and .wav. Check the OBS format and source documentation if a file does not play.
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Add the folder’s videos to a VLC playlist
- In OBS, select the scene you plan to use.
- In the Sources dock, click the + button and choose VLC Video. OBS’s Sources Guide explains adding sources from this dock.
- Open the new source’s properties. Add the desired video files from your folder to its playlist. Select the files you want included; adding one does not make OBS automatically include other files in that folder later.
- Enable Shuffle Playlist and Loop Playlist, then apply the changes.
Use VLC Video for a playlist. OBS describes the ordinary Media Source as a way to add an individual media file, while VLC Video supports a list of files. The shuffle control randomizes playlist order rather than guaranteeing an independent random draw each time one video ends. The loop control restarts the source after it reaches the end of the playlist; the documentation does not promise gapless transitions.
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Check the scene and test the output
- Close the properties window and make sure the VLC Video source is visible in the active scene. If it is hidden or covered by another source, adjust its visibility or position in the Sources dock.
- Preview the scene and confirm the video is visible and its audio behaves as intended.
- Test the stream output before going live. OBS recommends testing a stream setup; a successful playlist preview alone does not establish that YouTube will accept or continuously deliver a live broadcast.
If VLC Video is missing or the playlist does not behave as expected
- VLC Video is not in the source menu: Install VLC, then restart OBS if needed. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. OBS identifies VLC as a prerequisite for this source.
- Only one video plays: Check that you added the files to a VLC Video playlist. A regular Media Source is intended for an individual file.
- Videos play in list order: Reopen source properties and confirm Shuffle Playlist is enabled. Shuffle changes playlist ordering; it does not mean OBS makes a fresh random selection at every transition.
- The playlist stops after its last item: Check Loop Playlist. Its documented behavior is to restart the source after it runs out of media files.
- A file will not play: Confirm it is in the playlist and check its format against the formats listed in OBS’s Media Sources guide. The documentation’s format list is not a guarantee that every file with a listed extension will play correctly.
OBS looping is not YouTube viewer looping
These settings control playback inside your OBS source. They are separate from any option a YouTube viewer may use to replay a video or playlist. Also, configuring OBS does not establish that you have permission to broadcast the files or that a YouTube live stream meets YouTube’s requirements. Verify rights to the audio and video and consult YouTube’s current Live guidance for account eligibility, stream-key setup, and broadcast requirements; those details are not covered by the OBS source instructions cited here.
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Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a pre-recorded video or playlist to keep a YouTube channel live without leaving OBS and a computer running at home, StreamNeo runs the stream from the cloud. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It plays uploaded videos rather than broadcasting a camera feed.
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- Nothing at home needs to stay on for the stream to continue.
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- It can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required, one free day per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
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