To loop a video from an external SSD on YouTube Live, connect the drive to the computer running OBS, add the video as an OBS Media Source, turn on Loop in that source’s properties, and send OBS’s output to YouTube Live using the stream URL and key from YouTube Studio. The SSD stores the file; OBS plays and repeats it, while YouTube receives the live encoder feed.
Before you start
- A computer that can run OBS and stay on for the duration of the broadcast.
- The external SSD connected to that computer, with the video file available on the drive.
- An OBS scene containing the video source.
- A YouTube channel eligible to livestream. YouTube requires channel verification and no live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. First-time live streaming can take up to 24 hours to become available, so enable it in advance.
You do not need an SSD specifically for OBS playback: OBS can play a local video file, and its documentation does not set a required drive type, filesystem, connection standard, or minimum speed for this workflow. Keep the drive connected and the file accessible while the source is in use. Confirm your own drive, cable, computer, and file work together before relying on them for a long broadcast.
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Set up a single video to repeat in OBS
- Connect the SSD. Attach it to the computer that will run OBS. Open the drive in your operating system and confirm you can access the intended video. Avoid moving or renaming the file after selecting it in OBS.
- Create or select an OBS scene. In OBS, select the scene for the broadcast. Under Sources, choose + and add a Media Source. Give the source a clear name, such as “Loop video.”
- Select the file. In the Media Source properties, choose the option to use a local file and browse to the video on the SSD. OBS documents support for formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. A supported filename extension alone does not guarantee that every file’s particular encoding will play correctly, so test the actual file.
- Enable looping. Turn on Loop in the Media Source properties, then confirm the source. OBS’s documented default for Loop is Off; when enabled, the file plays again after playback completes.
- Check the scene. Confirm the video is visible in the OBS preview and that its size and placement suit the stream. If the video has sound, check OBS’s audio mixer while it plays. Make sure the source is not muted and that audio is routed to the stream as intended.
OBS, not YouTube, performs the repeat. The live broadcast can continue while OBS starts the file over, provided OBS remains connected and the encoder feed continues.
Use a playlist instead of one repeating file
If you want several files to play in sequence, use OBS’s VLC Video source rather than a single Media Source. OBS says this source supports playlists and a Loop Playlist option. VLC must also be installed for the VLC Video source to appear in OBS. Add the media files to the source’s playlist, enable Loop Playlist, and preview the order and transitions before going live.
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Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. Create a stream or select the live event you intend to use. Check that livestreaming is enabled for the channel before the scheduled start.
- Get the current stream URL and key. Use the values shown for that stream in Live Control Room. In OBS, open the stream settings and enter the YouTube server or stream URL and stream key in the corresponding fields. The exact labels can vary by OBS version and whether you connect through a service sign-in or manual settings.
- Protect the key. Treat the stream key as sensitive account access information. Do not publish it, show it on-screen, or leave it in a shared document. If you suspect it has been exposed, an owner or manager can reset a compromised key in YouTube Studio; update OBS with the replacement.
- Start the encoder and wait for preview. Start streaming from OBS, then check that YouTube’s Live Control Room receives the feed and shows the expected video and audio. A successful OBS connection is not a substitute for checking YouTube’s preview and stream-health status.
Choose encoder settings and test the feed
YouTube recommends RTMPS. Its encoder guidance lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 video options, and CBR bitrate encoding; for RTMP/RTMPS audio, it lists AAC or MP3. Use an option your computer and workflow support rather than choosing a codec solely because it is listed.
- Resolution and frame rate: Choose the output that matches your video and the quality you can reliably upload. Avoid upscaling a lower-resolution source as a substitute for higher-quality footage.
- Bitrate: Set a constant bitrate appropriate for your selected output. The sustainable bitrate depends on your upload connection; do not assume that a high setting is safe because the video is stored on a fast SSD.
- Keyframes: YouTube recommends a two-second keyframe frequency and says it should not exceed four seconds.
- Audio: Select an encoder format supported by your workflow and verify the audio level and routing in OBS and in YouTube’s preview.
- Network headroom: YouTube recommends leaving 20% of upload bandwidth available beyond the stream’s total bitrate. This is platform guidance, not a guarantee that a connection will remain stable.
Run a representative test before the actual broadcast. Include motion and audio similar to the planned content, check the Live Control Room preview and stream-health feedback, and watch for dropped or unstable delivery. During the broadcast, keep an eye on both video and audio quality. If you are recording a local archive, YouTube’s streaming tips advise checking that the archive is intact and its file size is growing.
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Keep copyright and channel rules in view
A video playing from your own drive is still subject to YouTube’s rules. Make sure you have the rights or permissions needed for the video, music, and other material in the stream. A successful technical test does not establish that the content is permitted, nor does looping content guarantee that YouTube will treat it as original or eligible for monetization. Review YouTube’s applicable copyright and channel policies before broadcasting, especially if the material is not yours.
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- The video plays once and stops: Open the Media Source properties and make sure Loop is enabled. The documented default is Off.
- The file is missing or playback stops after disconnecting the drive: Confirm the SSD is connected, mounted, and accessible to the computer, and that the selected file has not been moved or renamed. Keep the drive connected throughout playback.
- The VLC Video source is unavailable: Install VLC, then check OBS’s Sources menu again. Use a Media Source with Loop if you only need to repeat one file.
- The source appears but does not play correctly: Check that the file can be played on the computer and test another compatible media file. OBS’s listed formats are not a guarantee that every encoding using those extensions will work.
- YouTube does not show an incoming preview: Confirm OBS is streaming, verify the current URL and key for the selected YouTube stream, and check that the channel is enabled for live streaming. If a key may have been exposed, reset it and replace the value in OBS.
- The stream is unstable or YouTube reports poor health: Check upload capacity and reduce the output bitrate or resolution if the connection cannot sustain them. Leave YouTube’s recommended 20% bandwidth headroom and run another test.
- Video arrives without sound, or sound is wrong: Check the source’s audio, OBS’s mixer levels and mute state, and the audio heard in YouTube’s preview before continuing.
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