To loop one prerecorded gaming video in OBS, add it as a Media Source, select the local file, and turn on Loop. Keep that source visible in the scene you send to YouTube. For a playlist, use VLC Video Source and enable Loop Playlist.
Loop one gaming video in OBS
- In OBS, open the scene you intend to stream. In the Sources panel, click + and choose Media Source. Give it a recognizable name and confirm.
- In the source properties, enable Local File, browse to the video, and select it. OBS documents support for containers including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV. Compatibility can still depend on the file’s codec and your installed OBS version.
- Check Loop. It repeats the file after playback reaches the end; its documented default is off.
- Confirm that the source is visible in the scene that will be live. Start playback and check the OBS preview and audio meters before going live.
Loop and Restart playback when source becomes active do different jobs. OBS describes the latter as restarting the file when the source is in the current scene and visible; its documented default is on. It controls what happens when the source becomes active, not what happens at the end of the file. If your scenes hide and show the source and you want playback to retain its position, review that setting and test the transitions in your installed OBS version.
Optional playback properties
- Show nothing when playback ends hides the source when the file finishes. With Loop on, playback should ordinarily restart instead of reaching an unlooped end.
- Close file when inactive unloads the file while the source is hidden. OBS notes that reloading it can introduce a short delay.
These property definitions are from the OBS Project’s Media Sources documentation, dated January 11, 2022. Interface details may vary by OBS version.
Loop a playlist instead of a single file
For multiple videos, add a VLC Video Source rather than creating a separate Media Source for each file. It uses VLC libraries for extended media support, so VLC must be installed for the source to appear. OBS documents that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
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- Install the VLC version matching your OBS architecture, then add VLC Video Source from the Sources panel.
- Add the video files to the source’s playlist in the order you want them to play.
- Leave Loop Playlist enabled to restart the playlist after it finishes. OBS documents this option as on by default.
- Check Shuffle Playlist if you want a randomized order, and review the source’s Visibility Behaviour setting if it may be hidden during scene changes.
Prepare the YouTube live stream
OBS supplies the playback; YouTube receives the live encoder stream. You need a channel that is verified and has no live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days, according to YouTube’s live-streaming help. In YouTube’s live control room, create or schedule the stream and use its stream key in OBS’s streaming settings. Treat the key like a password: do not show it in a recording or share it.
- Choose the scene containing the looping source, then confirm video and audio are present in the OBS preview and meters.
- Start streaming in OBS and check YouTube’s live control room for the incoming stream and any warnings before sharing the watch page.
- If the stream disconnects, check both OBS’s connection status and YouTube’s control room, then reconnect using the same stream setup as appropriate.
The cited YouTube help page establishes eligibility requirements, but the available guidance here does not specify a universal bitrate, resolution, or keyframe interval for every gaming file, encoder, and connection. Use settings compatible with your source and network, and consult YouTube’s current encoder guidance for the stream configuration you select.
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Know the limits of long reruns
A live stream is not a dependable archive
YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. That makes the archive unsuitable as the only copy of a long rerun. If you need a recording, enable a local recording in OBS and verify that you have enough disk space. See YouTube’s archive live streams guidance, accessed October 3, 2026.
Rights still apply to game footage and audio
YouTube’s Live Stream Terms and Conditions make the provider responsible for holding the rights needed for live content, including relevant music rights. Check rights for gameplay footage, in-game music, overlays, and any other third-party material; the ability to stream a game does not by itself establish that every included element is cleared.
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Looping does not guarantee monetization
YouTube’s monetization policy update dated July 15, 2025 describes monetized content as original and authentic and excludes repetitive or mass-produced material with little variation and minimal educational, narrative, or commentary value. A loop setting only changes playback behavior; it does not establish whether a particular gaming rerun or channel qualifies. YouTube also says ad slots are not guaranteed to serve, so a continuous stream does not guarantee revenue. Check the current YouTube channel monetization policies and live-stream monetization guidance.
Troubleshoot a rerun that will not loop or stay live
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video plays once and stops | Loop is off, or the wrong source type or file is selected. | Open Media Source properties and enable Loop. For a playlist, check Loop Playlist in VLC Video Source. |
| The file starts over after a scene change | Restart playback when source becomes active is enabled. | Review that property and test the source’s behavior when hidden and shown in your scene transitions. |
| VLC Video Source is missing | VLC is not installed or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC, then reopen OBS and check Sources again. |
| The source disappears at the end | Show nothing when playback ends may be enabled, and looping may not be active. | Enable Loop and review the end-of-playback property. |
| There is a delay when showing a hidden source | Close file when inactive unloads the media while hidden. | Review that setting if a brief reload delay is disruptive. |
| YouTube does not receive the stream | The stream may not have started in OBS, the stream key may be incorrect, or the channel may not meet YouTube’s live-stream eligibility requirements. | Check OBS connection status, verify the key in YouTube’s control room, and confirm channel eligibility. |
| A long live stream has no YouTube archive | The broadcast exceeded YouTube’s 12-hour archive threshold. | Use a local OBS recording when you need a reliable copy. |
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