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How to Switch OBS Between Two Pre-Recorded YouTube Playlists Without Ending the Stream

Use two VLC Video sources or two scenes to switch between prerecorded playlists in OBS while leaving the YouTube stream running.
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Keep OBS streaming and switch the visible content: use two VLC Video sources in one scene, or put one playlist in each of two scenes and switch scenes. Do not click Stop Streaming in OBS or End Stream in YouTube Live Control Room during the handoff.

Set up two playlists in OBS

OBS’s built-in Media Source is for an individual local file. For a playlist, use VLC Video, which requires VLC media player to be installed. OBS notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Media Sources guide.

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  1. Install VLC. Match its architecture to OBS; for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC.
  2. In OBS, add a VLC Video source for playlist A. Add its files in the order you want them played.
  3. Configure Loop Playlist and Shuffle Playlist to suit the broadcast. Leave shuffle off if the order matters.
  4. Add a second VLC Video source for playlist B and add its files in order. Keep both sources aligned and sized consistently if they share a layout.
  5. Check each source’s Visibility Behaviour. OBS documents the default as “Stop when not visible, restart when visible.” Choose a behavior that matches whether the hidden playlist should stop, continue, or restart when shown, and test it before going live.

For the alternative two-scene arrangement, create one scene for playlist A and another for playlist B, then place the corresponding VLC Video source in each. This keeps each playlist’s layout self-contained; if the scenes duplicate overlays or other elements, changes to those elements may need to be made in both scenes.

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Choose a switching layout

Setup Works well when Check before switching
Two VLC Video sources in one scene Both playlists share the same layout or overlays, and you want to change only the media. Hide one source and show the other; check audio and the hidden-source behavior so playlists do not overlap or restart unexpectedly.
Two scenes, one playlist source per scene Each playlist needs its own layout, or switching the whole composition is simpler. Keep dimensions and transitions consistent, and check that audio changes as intended.

OBS supports showing and hiding sources and switching scenes; hotkeys are optional. See the Sources Guide and OBS Studio Overview Guide for those controls.

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Switch playlists without ending the broadcast

  1. Start the YouTube broadcast from OBS as usual and confirm that the stream is active.
  2. At the handoff, show playlist B and hide playlist A, or switch to the scene containing playlist B. For the return switch, show A and hide B, or switch back to A’s scene.
  3. Leave OBS’s streaming output running. Do not select Stop Streaming in OBS or End Stream in YouTube Live Control Room.

YouTube’s encoder instructions say, “To end the stream, stop sending content from your encoder.” Switching a source or scene changes what OBS sends; it is not the same as stopping the encoder output. YouTube also describes ending scheduled streams in Live Control Room in its live stream settings help.

Test playback and audio before going live

Test both playlists in a private or unlisted stream before relying on the setup publicly. Confirm that video appears after each switch, audio comes from the intended playlist, and the chosen visibility behavior does what you expect. OBS recommends testing a stream before the real event in its Quick Start Guide.

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Troubleshoot a playlist handoff

  • VLC Video is unavailable or will not play: Check that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS. OBS specifies 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
  • The playlist restarts when you switch back: Review the source’s Visibility Behaviour. The documented default stops playback while hidden and restarts it when visible.
  • The two playlists’ audio overlaps: Verify that the outgoing source is hidden or otherwise muted as intended before or during the switch. Test the exact sequence in advance.
  • The picture shifts or changes size: Make the two sources’ dimensions and positioning consistent, or use scenes with matching layouts and transitions.
  • The YouTube broadcast ends: Check whether streaming was stopped in OBS or the event ended in Live Control Room. A content handoff should leave the encoder output running.
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Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is a continuously running prerecorded YouTube stream rather than a hands-on OBS handoff, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos or playlists from the cloud: upload your video or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home, and it plays the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot. It can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.

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