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To loop a prerecorded video on YouTube Live, add it to an OBS scene as a Media Source, enable Loop in the source properties, then send OBS’s output to YouTube using your stream URL and key. The loop happens in OBS; YouTube receives the encoded scene. If you want several videos to repeat in sequence, use OBS’s VLC Video source and enable Loop Playlist instead.
Choose the right OBS source
| Your goal | OBS source | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat one local video | Media Source | Enable its Loop option. OBS lists common formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM; Loop is off by default. OBS Media Sources guide |
| Play multiple files in sequence and repeat them | VLC Video | Add files to the playlist and enable Loop Playlist. This source uses VLC libraries, so VLC must be installed; use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS. OBS Media Sources guide |
You do not need VLC to loop one file. OBS scenes contain sources such as media files, and the source settings determine how that media behaves in the scene. OBS Sources Guide
Set up a looping video in OBS
- Select the broadcast scene. In OBS, choose the scene you intend to send to YouTube. If you do not have one, create a scene and select it before adding the video.
- Add the video source. In the Sources dock, select + and choose Media Source. Give the source a recognizable name if prompted.
- Choose the local file. In the Media Source properties, select the video file you want to play. Confirm the right file is selected and that it appears in the scene preview.
- Enable looping. Turn on Loop in the source properties. Because this setting is off by default, verify it is checked before you start streaming. OBS documents Loop as restarting the file when playback completes; it does not promise a gapless transition.
- Set behavior when the source is hidden. If you switch scenes or hide the source, decide whether to enable Restart playback when source becomes active. The Close file when inactive option unloads the file while hidden; showing it again can cause a short reload delay.
- Check the scene before going live. Play the source in OBS and verify the picture, framing, and audio. If you use a playlist, confirm the files are in the intended order and Loop Playlist is enabled.
OBS labels can change between versions. If a control is not where described, check the current Media Source properties and the OBS documentation.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Confirm channel eligibility. YouTube requires a channel to be eligible for live streaming. Its guidance specifies channel verification and no live-streaming restrictions in the prior 90 days; check the current status in YouTube Studio because eligibility is account-specific.
- Allow for first-time activation. YouTube says enabling live streaming for the first time may take up to 24 hours. Do this ahead of the time you plan to broadcast. YouTube encoder setup guidance
- Create or select a stream in YouTube Studio. Open the Live Control Room and create or choose the stream you want to use. Copy its stream URL and stream key.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. Open OBS stream settings, select YouTube if it is offered as a service, and enter the stream URL and key from YouTube Studio. If the current interface presents separate fields, put each value in its matching field. Treat the key as a password: do not share it or include it in a public screenshot.
- Start the encoder and inspect YouTube’s preview. Start streaming from OBS. Wait for the feed to appear in the Live Control Room, then check that the intended video and audio are present before taking the stream live with YouTube’s available controls. YouTube recommends checking the preview and monitoring stream quality. YouTube live streaming tips
- End the broadcast in the right order. End the event in YouTube, then stop sending content from the encoder. YouTube’s tips recommend stopping the encoder after the event has stopped on YouTube. YouTube live streaming tips
Settings and checks that affect the result
Looping and scene changes
- One file: enable Loop on the Media Source. It restarts when playback completes, but a perfectly seamless audio or visual handoff is not guaranteed.
- Several files: use VLC Video, add the playlist, and enable Loop Playlist. Check that VLC is installed and matches OBS’s 32-bit or 64-bit architecture.
- Hidden sources: decide whether the video should restart when the source becomes active. Closing the file when inactive may save resources, but can add a reload delay when the source returns.
Stream output and quality
The cited OBS and YouTube setup guidance establishes the source, loop, and encoder connection workflow, but it does not provide a bitrate, resolution, frame-rate, or keyframe value for this particular setup. Use the current YouTube encoder recommendations and the settings supported by your connection and video rather than relying on an invented universal number. OBS encodes the scene output; the local source’s playback loop does not itself configure the stream’s bitrate.
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- 【Package Content & Note】 1x HD Audio Capture Card , 1x USB 3.0 to USB C Adapter (A-side 3.0, B-side 2.0), 1x user manual. Please note that you need to restart the OBS Studio software after the audio setup is complete, otherwise it will result in no sound output. When using an adapter, if the device is recognized as USB 2.0, try using the other side with the USB-C port. Simply flip the capture card and reconnect it to be recognized as USB 3.0
Rights and channel rules
Only stream video and audio you have the rights or permission to broadcast. A file playing successfully in OBS does not establish that you may livestream it, and looping does not change YouTube’s copyright or channel policies. Check the current rules and your channel’s status in YouTube Studio before scheduling a public stream.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The video plays once and stops | Loop is off or the wrong source is configured. | Open the Media Source properties and enable Loop. For several clips, confirm you used VLC Video and enabled Loop Playlist. |
| A playlist source is missing or will not play | VLC may not be installed, or its architecture may not match OBS. | Install VLC; pair 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS, as specified by OBS. |
| The file pauses or reloads after switching scenes | Source visibility options control whether it restarts or is unloaded when inactive. | Review Restart playback when source becomes active and Close file when inactive in the source properties. |
| YouTube does not receive the OBS feed | The stream URL or key may be incorrect, the stream may not be activated, or the channel may not currently be eligible. | Compare OBS’s connection details with the current stream in YouTube Studio, verify channel eligibility, and check the Live Control Room for its preview or status. |
| The preview is present but the stream is not ready to publish | The feed may need time to arrive, or audio/video may need checking. | Wait for the Live Control Room preview, verify sound and picture there, and use YouTube’s available controls to take the configured stream live. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want a prerecorded YouTube stream to keep running without leaving OBS or a computer on, StreamNeo is a cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos on YouTube; it does not broadcast from a camera.
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- Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
- One flat price per slot covers any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps, without re-encoding or quality tiers.
- It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card required; one free day per account.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month.
See StreamNeo for details, or start the free day.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
