In OBS, Loop replays a Media Source file when it reaches the end; Restart playback when source becomes active starts that file over when the source becomes active and visible in the current scene. They control playback inside OBS—not whether the YouTube live broadcast itself restarts. If you want one local video to repeat continuously, enable Loop.
What the two OBS settings do
| Setting | Trigger | Effect | Default documented by OBS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop | The media file reaches its end. | Plays the local file again. | Off |
| Restart playback when source becomes active | The source becomes active in the current scene and is visible. | Restarts the file from the beginning. | On |
OBS documents these as separate Media Source properties on its Media Sources page. With Loop enabled, playback repeats at the end of the file without needing a scene change or source activation. Restart playback when source becomes active matters when the source becomes active again; it is not a substitute for Loop.
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How to keep a local video repeating in OBS
- Add or select a Media Source: In the OBS scene where you want the video, add a Media Source or select the existing one. Choose the local video file in its properties.
- Enable Loop: In the Media Source properties, check Loop. OBS documents its default as Off, so confirm the setting rather than assuming it is enabled.
- Choose activation behavior: Leave Restart playback when source becomes active enabled if the file should begin at the start whenever the source becomes active and visible. Turn it off if you do not want that restart behavior.
- Apply and verify: Confirm the properties and watch the OBS preview through the end of the file. With Loop on, the local file should begin again. If it does not, check that you are editing a Media Source and that Loop is checked.
OBS also documents Close file when inactive, which unloads a hidden or off-scene file to free memory; the source may take a short time to reload when shown again. Show nothing when playback ends hides a source at completion rather than leaving its final frame visible. These controls have different purposes from Loop and restart-on-activation.
Media Source, encoder, and YouTube are separate layers
Playback inside OBS
Loop and Restart playback when source becomes active govern the local file played by the OBS source. They affect the video and audio OBS composes into the scene.
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The encoder connection
OBS sends the composed output to YouTube through an encoder connection. YouTube’s encoder setup guide describes connecting with the stream URL and stream key. Restarting a Media Source does not, by itself, reconnect or restart that encoder connection.
YouTube playback, DVR, and archives
YouTube viewer DVR lets viewers pause and resume a live stream; it does not tell OBS to replay a source. YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured. Its DVR guidance also notes that rewind may be limited or unavailable on very long streams. These are YouTube behaviors, not OBS Loop settings.
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Using a playlist instead of one file
OBS’s VLC Video source supports playlists and requires VLC to be installed. It has its own Loop Playlist property for restarting a playlist after it runs out, and a Visibility Behaviour setting for playback while the source is not visible. Do not assume those labels or behaviors are identical to the Media Source controls; see the OBS Media Sources documentation.
Common problems and fixes
- The video plays once and stops: Check that Loop is enabled on the Media Source. Its documented default is Off.
- The video starts over when I show the source: Check Restart playback when source becomes active. That setting restarts the file when the source becomes active and visible in the current scene.
- The file ends, but the YouTube live is still running: That is expected when the encoder connection remains active. Loop affects the file, not the YouTube broadcast.
- A hidden source takes time to appear: If Close file when inactive is enabled, OBS unloads the file while it is inactive and may need a short time to reload it when shown again.
- The final frame disappears: Check whether Show nothing when playback ends is enabled. It hides the source at completion; it does not repeat the file.
- A playlist behaves differently from a Media Source: Check the VLC Video source’s Loop Playlist and Visibility Behaviour properties. VLC Video is a distinct source with its own controls.
OBS’s published Media Sources documentation dates to 2022-01-11. The behaviors described here are the documented properties; identical edge-case behavior across every source type, operating system, and OBS build is not established by that documentation.
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