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To make OBS reopen the same playlist file after an OBS restart, use the third-party Media Playlist Source plugin. Its listing says it saves the currently playing file so it will play when OBS restarts. That claim covers the file, not the exact timestamp inside it. OBS’s built-in VLC Video source supports playlists, looping, shuffling, and visibility behavior, but its documented visibility settings do not promise restart recovery.
First, define what “resume” means
There are two different goals:
- Resume the same file: after restarting OBS, reopen the playlist item that was playing. Media Playlist Source says it saves the currently playing file for playback when OBS restarts.
- Resume at the exact timestamp: reopen that item at the point where playback stopped. The plugin listing does not establish this behavior. Test it separately if exact in-file position matters.
Neither claim should be expanded into a guarantee after a power loss, crash, or every possible restart scenario.
Check your current OBS playlist source
VLC Video source
OBS’s built-in VLC Video source can play a playlist. It requires VLC to be installed; if OBS is 64-bit, VLC must also be 64-bit. The source exposes playlist loop and shuffle settings, as well as a Visibility Behaviour setting. The documented options determine what happens while the source is hidden—for example, the default is “Stop when not visible, restart when visible.” These are scene-visibility rules, not a documented way to remember the current file after a full OBS or PC restart. See the OBS Media Sources documentation.
Media Playlist Source plugin
The Media Playlist Source listing by CodeYan describes the plugin as an alternative to VLC Video that uses Media Source internally and saves the currently playing file so it plays when OBS restarts. That is the documented option to consider when your goal is to reopen the current playlist item.
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Check the listing before installing: it identifies version 0.1.3, last updated April 13, 2025, and lists 64-bit Windows, macOS, and Linux support. The resource page gives OBS 30.0.0 as a minimum, while its update history says the minimum became OBS 31 starting with version 0.1.0. Since those requirements are presented differently on the listing, confirm the requirement for the release you intend to install. The listing also says audio-track and subtitle selection are unsupported, and folder contents do not refresh automatically; saving settings again refreshes them.
Built-in VLC Video vs. Media Playlist Source
| Question | VLC Video (built in) | Media Playlist Source |
|---|---|---|
| What happens when the scene source is hidden? | Visibility Behaviour controls whether playback continues, pauses, or stops while hidden. | Not stated in the plugin listing. |
| Does documentation say the current file returns after an OBS restart? | Not stated in the OBS documentation. | Yes. The listing says it saves the currently playing file for playback when OBS restarts; exact timestamp recovery is not stated. |
| Does it depend on VLC being installed? | Yes. 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. | The listing says it uses Media Source internally; it does not state a VLC installation requirement. |
| Platform and OBS compatibility | See OBS’s current documentation and your installed OBS/VLC builds. | The listing shows 64-bit Windows, macOS, and Linux; check the current release’s OBS requirement before installation. |
| Audio tracks, subtitles, folder refresh | See the OBS documentation for VLC Video properties. | Audio-track/subtitle selection is unsupported; folder contents do not refresh automatically, but saving settings again refreshes them. |
Set up and test current-file recovery
- Back up your OBS scene collection. Do this before replacing a source or adding a plugin, so you can restore your setup if the change causes problems.
- Check OBS and platform compatibility. Review the plugin listing for the release you plan to use, including its current OBS requirement and 64-bit platform support.
- Install Media Playlist Source using the instructions provided on its resource page. The listing’s feature claim concerns the current file, not the timestamp, so do not assume it meets an exact-position requirement.
- Configure the playlist and save the source settings. If the playlist points to a folder and you later change that folder’s contents, save the settings again to refresh them.
- Run a controlled restart test. Play a recognizable item, close OBS normally, reopen it, and check which file starts. Separately inspect whether playback resumes at the expected timestamp. Treat the result as verification for your setup, not a guarantee about crashes or power interruptions.
If the playlist starts over or the wrong item plays
- The source is VLC Video: its visibility setting is not documented as restart persistence. If reopening the current item is essential, consider the plugin above rather than relying on “Stop when not visible, restart when visible.”
- OBS cannot show VLC Video: install VLC. For 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC, as required by OBS.
- The plugin does not meet your timestamp requirement: its listing only supports the claim that it saves the current file. Exact in-file position is not established there; test your setup before relying on it.
- A folder playlist misses new files: the plugin listing says folder contents do not refresh automatically. Save the source settings again to refresh them.
- Compatibility is unclear: the listing’s page and update history express the minimum OBS version differently. Verify the requirement attached to the release you are installing.
- Playback changes when switching scenes: distinguish a visibility change from a full restart. VLC Video’s visibility behavior controls hidden-source playback, while restart recovery is a separate question.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your VOD playlist is meant to keep a YouTube channel live around the clock, a PC-based OBS setup means the computer and its connection must stay available. StreamNeo is a separate cloud option for uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Your computer can be off; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video, can recover automatically if YouTube drops the stream, and streams the upload as made up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. It streams to YouTube, not from a live camera. Learn more at StreamNeo, then start the free first day.
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