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You can loop a local video into YouTube Live from Linux with FFmpeg: create a YouTube encoder stream, give FFmpeg the stream URL and key, and use -stream_loop -1 to repeat the file indefinitely. The loop runs only while the Linux process and its network connection stay available; YouTube may also require you to start a scheduled event in Live Control Room after the encoder preview appears.
Before you start
- Your channel must be verified and have no live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. YouTube’s minimum age to livestream is 16. Check YouTube’s current eligibility guidance at Get started with live streaming.
- Install FFmpeg from a trusted source for your Linux distribution. Available encoders and options depend on the installed build.
- Have a video file that you have the rights to stream. A loop does not grant permission to use copyrighted material, and platform monetization or reused-content decisions are separate from whether the encoder works.
- Use a stable upload connection with enough capacity for the video bitrate, plus overhead. Test the stream before relying on it for a long session.
Create the YouTube encoder stream
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Live Control Room. Create a stream or select a scheduled one, then choose the encoder workflow.
- Copy the server URL and stream key shown for that stream. Use the values from the selected event and key rather than assuming every account or endpoint has the same URL form. YouTube recommends RTMPS for secure RTMP ingest; see Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
- Keep the stream key private. YouTube Help says, “Stream keys are like your YouTube stream’s password and address.” If it is exposed, reset it in YouTube’s stream settings and update the encoder. See Manage live stream settings.
Build a Linux shell script with FFmpeg
The following is a starting template for a local file, not a universal or tested configuration. It uses a 720p/30-style video bitrate example; adjust resolution, frame rate, and bitrate to match your source and reliable upload capacity. Confirm the installed FFmpeg build includes libx264.
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
: "${YOUTUBE_RTMPS_URL:?Set the stream URL from YouTube Live Control Room}"
: "${YOUTUBE_STREAM_KEY:?Set the stream key privately}"
INPUT=${1:-loop.mp4}
exec ffmpeg -re -stream_loop -1 -i "$INPUT"
-c:v libx264 -preset veryfast -pix_fmt yuv420p
-r 30 -g 60 -keyint_min 60 -sc_threshold 0
-b:v 2500k -maxrate 2500k -bufsize 5000k
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100
-f flv "${YOUTUBE_RTMPS_URL%/}/${YOUTUBE_STREAM_KEY}"Save it and provide the credentials
- Save as
youtube-loop.shand make it executable withchmod +x youtube-loop.sh. - Set
YOUTUBE_RTMPS_URLandYOUTUBE_STREAM_KEYin a protected environment or secret store, not in the script or source control. Shell history, process environments, and logs can expose secrets depending on how you launch the process; restrict access to the machine and its logs. - Run
./youtube-loop.sh /path/to/video.mp4. If you omit the argument, the script looks forloop.mp4in the current directory.
FFmpeg documents -stream_loop -1 as infinite input looping and -re as reading at the file’s native rate. Here -re paces a local file for live transmission; do not add it indiscriminately to a real-time live input, where rate limiting can cause packet loss. See the FFmpeg Documentation.
Choose encoder settings that fit the source
YouTube’s current encoder guidance recommends H.264 for RTMP/RTMPS, constant bitrate (CBR), a two-second keyframe interval (four seconds maximum), AAC or MP3 audio, 44.1 kHz stereo audio, and 128 Kbps stereo audio. The template’s 30 fps and 60-frame GOP correspond to a two-second keyframe interval; its audio uses AAC at 128 Kbps and 44.1 kHz. Set the video bitrate and output resolution for the actual source and connection rather than treating the example values as YouTube-wide requirements. Check YouTube’s encoder settings guidance and test for the chosen event.
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RTMPS is the straightforward default for this script. YouTube also supports HLS ingest for cases such as HDR or codecs not supported over RTMP, but HLS uses segmented delivery and has higher latency. Do not switch protocols unless the use case calls for it; the FFmpeg output format and connection details would need to match the chosen ingest method.
Test, start, and stop the stream
- Use a controlled test event first. Start the script and wait for the encoder preview in Live Control Room.
- Check both audio and video in the preview and review YouTube’s stream-health indicators. YouTube recommends testing and ongoing monitoring; see YouTube live streaming tips.
- For a scheduled stream, follow Live Control Room’s Go live flow after the preview appears unless you deliberately configured auto-start. Sending media from FFmpeg and activating the scheduled event are distinct steps.
- To finish, stop the FFmpeg process deliberately and end the event using Live Control Room as appropriate. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; do not assume a longer continuous loop will produce one complete archive. See Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
Keep the loop running reliably
This script repeats a file, but it does not supervise FFmpeg, reconnect in every failure case, or keep a computer powered on. A Linux desktop or server needs continuous power, a working network path, and process monitoring. An always-on hosted Linux instance is another option, but it adds administration and provider costs; no particular host or price is established here.
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FFmpeg’s formats documentation describes an RTMP FIFO output example that attempts recovery after a temporary failure. Recovery configuration adds complexity and cannot guarantee every interruption will recover. See FFmpeg Formats Documentation.
Common problems and fixes
- FFmpeg says an encoder or option is unavailable: Your distribution’s build may not include the requested encoder. Check
ffmpeg -versionandffmpeg -encoders; install a trusted build that supports the required options or choose an encoder available in your build. - YouTube does not receive the stream: Re-copy the server URL and key from the selected Live Control Room event, confirm the environment variables are set, and verify that the URL form matches the selected key. If the key may have been exposed, reset it and replace the configured value.
- The preview appears but the event is not public: Check the scheduled event’s state and complete the Go live action unless auto-start is enabled.
- Video buffers or stream health degrades: Test the upload connection, lower the video bitrate or resolution, and ensure the configured bitrate is sustainable with overhead. YouTube recommends testing rather than assuming one bitrate fits every connection.
- Audio is missing or unsuitable: Confirm the source contains an audio stream and that FFmpeg is producing a supported audio codec and sample rate. The example outputs AAC at 44.1 kHz.
- The loop stops unexpectedly: Check the shell’s FFmpeg output, machine power and network, and whether the process was terminated. This template uses
execso the shell is replaced by FFmpeg; it does not restart FFmpeg after a failure.
Or let it run in the cloud
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, and go live. It loops from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps streams as made at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers. StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly access is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free first day.
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