First separate the two things that can stop: an OBS playlist of local media files, and OBS’s connection sending video to YouTube. For a local playlist, configure OBS’s VLC Video source to loop and choose what it does when hidden. For a dropped connection, enable OBS automatic reconnect and check that the YouTube broadcast is still available. Reconnecting the encoder does not guarantee that a playlist resumes at its exact item or timestamp.
Identify which playlist you mean
A playlist can mean either a sequence of media files configured inside OBS or a queue on a YouTube watch page. The OBS instructions below apply to the local media source. The available documentation does not establish how a YouTube watch-page queue behaves after an OBS ingest reconnect.
| What you mean | Settings to check | What those settings do not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Local media files in OBS | VLC Video source: Loop Playlist and Visibility Behaviour | That a reconnect resumes the exact file and timestamp |
| YouTube broadcast connection | OBS automatic reconnect; YouTube stream key and Auto-start/Auto-stop | The current playback position of an OBS media source |
Configure a playlist of media files in OBS
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In your OBS scene, add or select a VLC Video source for a multi-file playlist. OBS documents VLC Video as the playlist-capable source. VLC must be installed; if you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
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Open the source’s properties and add the media files to its playlist. Leave Loop Playlist enabled if playback should return to the first item after the last. OBS documents this option as on by default.
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Set Visibility Behaviour to match how you use scenes. OBS provides options to continue, pause, or stop playback while the source is not visible. If playback seems to stop when you switch scenes, check this setting.
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If you use a single-file Media Source instead, its loop and Restart playback when source becomes active controls apply to that source. Restarting when a source becomes active is not a setting for restoring a playlist position after a YouTube reconnect.
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Test the source in your installed OBS version, including what happens when you switch scenes and restart the source. OBS’s documentation does not promise that a reconnect restores the precise item or time.
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OBS’s Sources Guide also distinguishes source types, including VLC playlist support.
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In OBS’s advanced settings, enable automatic reconnect for the streaming output. This tells OBS to attempt to reconnect its output; YouTube’s documentation does not specify OBS’s reconnect timing or guarantee that an attempt will succeed.
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In YouTube Live Control Room, use the intended event and stream key. YouTube describes a stream key as the information that identifies where the encoder sends its feed; custom stream keys can be reused. See YouTube’s live stream settings guidance.
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Review that event’s Auto-start and Auto-stop settings. YouTube says these settings allow the encoder to start or stop streaming. If you want the broadcast to remain available while the encoder reconnects, understand the effect of Auto-stop before relying on it.
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Do not manually end the broadcast if your aim is to reconnect OBS to the same event. Check that the intended event remains selected and available in your OBS and YouTube workflow. Streaming encoder data and ending a broadcast are separate controls; the OBS community workflow guide discusses that distinction.
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After OBS reconnects, check two states separately: whether YouTube is receiving the encoder feed and whether the OBS playlist source is playing. A restored feed alone does not show that the source returned to its previous item or position.
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Why YouTube DVR will not repair an OBS playlist
YouTube DVR is for viewers watching a live stream: it can let them pause, rewind, and resume their viewing. It does not control a local OBS playlist or reconnect an encoder. YouTube also notes that DVR features can be limited or unavailable on very long streams, including streams longer than 12 hours. See YouTube’s DVR guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot the symptom you see
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The OBS playlist stops at the end: Open the VLC Video source properties and check that Loop Playlist is enabled.
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Playback pauses or stops after a scene change: Check the source’s Visibility Behaviour; choose continue, pause, or stop according to the desired behavior when hidden.
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OBS reconnects, but the playlist is at a different point or not playing: Treat source playback and the encoder connection as independent. Check the source state and test its behavior in your installed OBS version; exact-item and timestamp restoration after reconnect is not documented.
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OBS does not restore the YouTube feed: Confirm automatic reconnect is enabled, the correct stream key and event are selected, and the broadcast has not been ended. Automatic reconnect is an attempt, not a guarantee.
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The broadcast starts or stops unexpectedly: Review YouTube’s Auto-start and Auto-stop settings for the event, since they let encoder actions start or stop the stream.
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You meant a YouTube watch-page playlist: VLC source settings do not govern that queue. The cited documentation does not establish its behavior after an OBS reconnect.
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