For several local videos that should play in order and repeat in OBS, use VLC Video: it supports playlists, with Loop Playlist on and Shuffle Playlist off by default. For one video file that should repeat, use Media Source and enable Loop. VLC Video requires VLC to be installed; 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC.
These settings loop media in OBS; they do not guarantee an uninterrupted YouTube broadcast. YouTube warns that streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured, and DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable. If a lasting archive matters, record locally and monitor the stream.
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Which OBS source should you use?
| Your need | Starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat one local video | Media Source | It plays a local media file and has a Loop control. |
| Rotate several local videos in a fixed order | VLC Video | It supports a playlist; use Loop Playlist on and Shuffle Playlist off. |
| Avoid installing VLC | Media Source, if separate sources or scenes suit your setup | VLC Video requires VLC installed. |
This is a feature comparison based on OBS documentation, not a reliability benchmark. The OBS media-source documentation describes available controls, not sustained 24/7 playback testing.
Set up a repeating playlist with VLC Video
1. Install VLC and check its architecture
Install VLC before adding the source. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. OBS lists VLC Video as available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, subject to that VLC requirement.
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2. Add VLC Video to an OBS scene
- Open the scene where the playlist should appear. In the Sources dock, choose the add-source control and select VLC Video. Give the source a recognizable name.
- In the source properties, add the local video files to the playlist in the order you want them to play.
- Verify that Loop Playlist is on and Shuffle Playlist is off. Those are the documented defaults, but check them in your OBS version rather than assuming they have not changed.
- Confirm that the source is visible in the scene. The Sources list controls which source appears above another; use the eye icon to show or hide a source. Visibility here means visibility in the OBS scene, not whether the OBS application window is on screen.
- Start the stream and watch playback through at least one file transition to confirm the order and loop behave as intended.
VLC Video also exposes Visibility Behaviour and Network caching (ms). OBS documentation lists stopping when hidden and restarting when visible as the default visibility behavior, and 400 ms as the documented default network-cache value. These are settings, not guarantees of uninterrupted playback or universally suitable cache recommendations.
Set up one repeating file with Media Source
- In the OBS scene, add a Media Source from the Sources dock.
- In its properties, select the local video file and enable Loop so it starts again after reaching the end.
- Make sure the source is visible in the scene, then preview playback and confirm that it restarts as expected.
OBS documents Media Source support for local video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, as well as MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV audio. For a playlist of multiple files, VLC Video is the more direct fit; building a sequence from separate Media Sources and scenes is an alternative, but requires managing that scene setup yourself.
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Connect OBS to YouTube and plan for long streams
- In YouTube’s live-stream setup, obtain the stream URL and stream key for your broadcast.
- In OBS’s streaming settings, enter the YouTube stream URL and stream key in the encoder configuration, then start streaming.
- Check audio and video quality while live. YouTube advises keeping total streaming bitrate within available upload bandwidth and leaving headroom; matching that advice does not guarantee uptime.
- Keep a local recording if you need an archive independent of YouTube’s live-stream archive. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all.
YouTube also warns that DVR rewind may be limited or unavailable on streams longer than 12 hours. Do not assume viewers can rewind the entire duration of a continuous 24/7 broadcast. A looping OBS playlist and an uninterrupted YouTube archive are separate things.
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Troubleshoot playlist playback
- VLC Video is missing from the source list: Install VLC. If OBS is 64-bit, make sure VLC is 64-bit too.
- The playlist stops after the last item: Open the VLC Video source properties and verify Loop Playlist is on.
- Files play in an unexpected order: Verify Shuffle Playlist is off and check the playlist order.
- Playback pauses or restarts when you hide the source: Review Visibility Behaviour and whether the source is hidden in the scene. Source visibility affects media playback; it does not itself start or stop the YouTube broadcast.
- The stream looks unstable or drops: Check the stream’s audio and video quality, confirm total bitrate is within your available upload bandwidth, and leave bandwidth headroom. These checks can help identify problems but cannot promise a continuous connection.
- You cannot find a YouTube archive for a very long broadcast: YouTube says streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured. Keep your own local recording when an archive is important.
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a YouTube stream of uploaded videos without leaving OBS and a computer running at home, StreamNeo offers a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops the uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Uploaded quality is streamed as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; automatic recovery is provided if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly: $9.99 per month. StreamNeo streams to YouTube only. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start your free first day.
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