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Launch OBS with --profile "Profile Name" to load its saved stream and output settings. If the scenes are in a particular Scene Collection, add --collection "Collection Name"; optionally add --scene "Scene Name". Configure the video loop separately in a Media Source or VLC Video source—there is no OBS command-line option that turns a profile into a loop stream.
What a loop-stream profile means in OBS
OBS treats the saved streaming setup and the scenes that use it as separate things. A Profile stores stream, video and output settings; a Scene Collection stores scenes and their related setup. Launching the right profile alone does not guarantee that OBS opens the scene containing your looped media, so specify the collection too when needed. OBS’s Profiles documentation explains this distinction.
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The command-line options select saved settings or trigger an action. The source properties in the scene determine whether a file or playlist repeats. OBS documents --profile, --collection and launch procedures in its Launch Parameters guide.
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Repeat one video file
- Open the scene where you want the video to appear.
- Add a Media Source, or select an existing one, and open its properties.
- Select the video file and enable Loop. OBS documents this option as replaying the file when playback completes; its documented default is Off.
- Confirm the source is visible in the scene and preview playback before using it in a live stream.
OBS’s Media Sources guide describes the Media Source loop setting.
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Repeat a playlist
- Add or select a VLC Video source in the scene.
- Choose the media files for the playlist and enable Loop Playlist in the source properties.
- Confirm VLC is installed. OBS requires VLC for this source; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Preview the playlist and verify that it restarts after the last item.
Use a Media Source for one file and VLC Video when you need a sequence of files. The OBS Media Sources documentation covers both loop controls and the VLC requirement. Scenes hold sources such as media files; see the Sources Guide.
Launch the intended OBS profile, collection and scene
Quote names that contain spaces. Replace the example names with the exact names shown in OBS.
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Windows shortcut
- Locate
obs64.exein your OBS installation. A typical path isC:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bitobs64.exe; adjust it if OBS is installed elsewhere. - Open the shortcut’s Properties and append the options after the executable path in the Target field. For example:
"C:Program Filesobs-studiobin64bitobs64.exe" --profile "Loop Stream" --collection "Loop Scenes" --scene "Main" - For a scheduled or automated launch, set the shortcut or task’s Start in working directory to the folder containing
obs64.exe. - Launch the shortcut and verify that the expected profile, collection, scene and media source are loaded.
The Windows shortcut method and launch-parameter syntax are documented by OBS in its Launch Parameters guide.
macOS
From Terminal, use:
open -a "OBS" --args --profile "Loop Stream" --collection "Loop Scenes" --scene "Main"
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OBS also describes using open -a "OBS" --args and the options in an Automator Run Shell Script action. These are macOS instructions; do not assume the command is a universal launch method for Linux. Check the launch method supported by your installed OBS version and platform.
Check available options
To inspect the options available in your installation, run obs --help or obs -h in a terminal or command prompt. The executable name and launch method may differ by platform.
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Start streaming automatically, only if intended
Add --startstreaming when you want OBS to begin streaming as it launches. For example, the Windows Target could end with:
--profile "Loop Stream" --collection "Loop Scenes" --scene "Main" --startstreaming
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This option starts the live stream; it does not select a profile, pick a scene, configure a loop or validate the destination. Before including it, confirm the selected profile’s stream destination and key, the intended collection and scene, and that the looped source plays correctly. Test the launch on your installed OBS version and platform before relying on an unattended start.
Troubleshoot common launch and looping problems
- OBS opens the wrong stream or output settings: Check the spelling of the name after
--profileand make sure it matches the saved Profile. Remember that a profile stores streaming and output configuration, not scenes. - The expected scene is missing: Add the correct
--collection. If the collection is right but you want a particular scene selected, add--scenewith its exact name. - The video plays once and stops: Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop. A profile launch option does not set this property.
- The playlist stops at its last item: Enable Loop Playlist on the VLC Video source. Check that VLC is installed and its bitness matches OBS; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- The command fails when a name has spaces: Put quotation marks around each profile, collection or scene name containing spaces.
- A Windows scheduled launch behaves differently: Set the task or shortcut’s Start in directory to the folder containing
obs64.exe, then check the executable path and options. - OBS starts streaming to the wrong destination or not at all: Review the selected profile’s stream settings and verify the destination and stream key before using
--startstreaming. That option triggers streaming; it does not configure the destination.
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