Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

First identify the OBS source that plays the playlist, then check whether the skip happens in OBS itself or only in YouTube playback. A single file in Media Source uses Loop; a playlist in the built-in VLC Video source uses Loop Playlist. If you use the Media Playlist Source plugin, its version 0.1.3 notes describe fixes for two specific continuation issues—but those notes do not establish one cause for every first-video skip.

Identify when and where the first video is skipped

“Skips the first video” can describe several different sequences: the first item never plays when the stream starts, a later item is skipped after a transition, or the first item is missed only when the playlist wraps around. The consulted documentation does not show that these cases share one cause.

  1. In OBS, open the scene containing the playlist and inspect its Sources list. Note whether the source is Media Source, VLC Video, or the Media Playlist Source plugin.
  2. Write down the playlist order and whether the first item is omitted at startup, after a transition, or after the playlist loops.
  3. Check the OBS preview or make a short local recording of the same sequence. If it skips there too, troubleshoot OBS and its source. If OBS output is correct but YouTube playback looks different, investigate viewer playback separately; the OBS source settings do not establish a YouTube Live defect.

YouTube Help’s instructions for looping a video apply to the YouTube player, not to the playlist source inside OBS: YouTube: Loop videos or playlists.

Fix the loop setting for the OBS source you use

For a single file in Media Source

Open the source’s properties and check Loop. OBS documents Media Source as a source for an individual media file; this is the relevant loop control when that one file should restart.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
KOTIN Prebuilt Gaming PC RTX 5070 12GB, Ryzen 7 9700X, 32GB DDR5, 1TB SSD
  • POWERED BY RTX 5070 12GB + RYZEN 7 9700X - The GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GDDR7 graphics card pairs with an 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 9700X processor to drive smooth 1440p and 4K gameplay, giving this gaming PC the headroom for modern titles, streaming, and creative work.
  • 32GB DDR5 6000MHz MEMORY & 1TB NVMe SSD - 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive deliver quick load times, smooth multitasking, and generous storage, keeping this prebuilt gaming desktop responsive under heavy workloads.
  • BUILT-IN 11.3-INCH Smart DISPLAY - An integrated smart screen shows real-time CPU and GPU temperatures, usage, and weather while you play, adding a distinctive and functional touch to your battlestation.
  • 850W 80+ GOLD POWER SUPPLY, 360MM LIQUID COOLING & WiFi 7 - An 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply provides stable, efficient power with headroom for future upgrades, while a 360mm AIO liquid cooler, WiFi 7, and an ARGB mid-tower case keep the Ryzen 7 CPU cool and connected in a clean build.
  • READY TO PLAY OUT OF THE BOX - Arrives fully assembled and tested with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so your prebuilt gaming computer is ready to set up in minutes. Assembled in the USA, and backed by a one-year limited warranty and lifetime free technical support.

For a playlist in VLC Video

Open the VLC Video source properties and check Loop Playlist. OBS defines this setting as whether the source should restart “when it has run out of media files.” Confirm the displayed playlist order is correct, and check Shuffle Playlist separately: shuffle is a distinct option and can make playback order appear inconsistent with the list.

Also confirm the source is visible when it is expected to play. If scenes change during playback, check the source’s visibility behavior and reproduce the sequence with the same scene transitions. OBS documents Media Source and VLC Video for Windows, macOS, and Linux: OBS Project: Media Sources.

Rank #2
Sale
Skytech Gaming PC Shadow 5, Ryzen 7, RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
  • AMD Ryzen 7 8700F 4.1GHz (5GHz Turbo Boost) CPU Processor | 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD – Up to 30x Faster Than Traditional HDD | High-Performance Air Cooler
  • NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB GDDR7 Graphics Card (Brand may vary) | 16GB DDR5 RAM 6000 Non-RGB Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader | Windows 11 Home
  • WI-FI 5 802.11ac | No Bloatware | Graphic output options include 1 x HDMI, and 1 x Display Port Promised, Additional Ports may vary | USB Ports Including 2.0, 3.0, and 3.2 Gen1 Ports | HD Audio & Mic | Free Gaming Keyboard & Mouse
  • High-Performance Air Cooler: Maximum Airflow & ARGB Fans | Skytech Shadow 5 Gaming Case with Tempered Glass, Black | 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA
  • This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as Elden Ring Nightreign, Baldur's Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Helldivers 2, Diablo IV, Starfield, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Forza Horizon 5, Resident Evil 9, Alan Wake 2, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, God of War Ragnarök, Overwatch 2, Dragon's Dogma 2, Marvel's Spider-Man, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,, more at Ultra settings, detailed 1080p Full HD resolution, and smooth 60+ FPS gameplay.

Confirm VLC is installed and matches OBS

VLC Video requires VLC to be installed. OBS specifically notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. If VLC Video is missing or behaving unexpectedly, verify the installation and architecture before changing unrelated playback settings.

If you use Media Playlist Source, check its version notes

The Media Playlist Source plugin’s 0.1.3 update notes, published by CodeYan on April 13, 2025, describe fixes for continuing after a transition and continuing when the next file path is unchanged, including the single-file looping case. Those fixes are relevant if your sequence matches either condition, but do not prove that every first-item skip has the same cause.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
msi Codex Z2 Gaming Desktop, AMD R7-8700F, RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, 2TB SSD
  • POWERHOUSE 8-CORE GAMING PERFORMANCE — Driven by the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F with 8 cores and 16 threads, boosting up to 5.0 GHz for smooth, responsive gameplay and the ability to handle AAA titles, streaming, and background tasks all at once
  • NEXT-GEN BLACKWELL ARCHITECTURE — The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 is powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge Blackwell GPU architecture, delivering a massive generational leap in rasterization and ray tracing performance so you can experience your games the way they were meant to be played.
  • Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. *MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
  • Cool While Gaming: In conjunction with an ARGB fan Air Cooler, the Codex R2 features four system cooling fans; three in the front and one in the rear to pull in cool air and push heat out of the PC.
  • Turn on the Bright Lights: With the built-in RGB lighting, take your gaming experience to the next level by pressing the MSI LED button to cycle through lighting options. Customize lighting even further with MSI Center software.

Compare your installed plugin version with the Media Playlist Source update notes. The notes say plugin versions from 0.1.0 require OBS 31 and that the change was merged in OBS 31. Although the resource page lists OBS 30.0.0 as its minimum, use the version-specific update notes when checking compatibility for those releases.

If your issue occurs at a transition or when consecutive items use the same path, update only after checking compatibility, then repeat the same playback sequence. The plugin’s published notes identify those cases; they do not report controlled reliability comparisons with VLC Video.

Rank #4
YAWYORE Gaming PC Desktop Computer AMD R5 5600GT 16GB 1TB NVMe Towers WiFi
  • Powerful Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT 3.6GHz (4.6GHz Turbo) 6-Core 12-Thread processor brings faster response time to easily handle multi-threaded tasks
  • Motherboard Specification: MSI A520M-A PRO motherboard provides reliable performance and expandability for your computing needs
  • Integrated Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega Graphics (CPU Integration) enables you to play 1080P mainstream games at quality frame rates
  • Memory and Storage: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM paired with 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD for fast multitasking and quick data access
  • Power Supply: 550W 80PLUS Bronze certified power supply ensures stable and energy-efficient operation

Compare the playlist options before changing your setup

Option What to check Compatibility consideration
OBS VLC Video Playlist order, Loop Playlist, Shuffle Playlist, visibility, and transitions. Requires VLC; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC, according to the OBS guide.
Media Playlist Source plugin Whether the symptom follows a transition or an unchanged/repeated file path. Version-specific update notes say versions from 0.1.0 require OBS 31; check the notes for your installed release.

These checks describe documented behaviors, not a controlled test of which option is more reliable. Choose based on whether you want to install VLC or a plugin and on the compatibility requirements you can meet.

Test one change at a time and isolate YouTube playback

  1. Reproduce the problem in the OBS preview or in a short recording, using the same playlist order and scene transitions as the live stream.
  2. Change the one setting or version that matches the symptom—for example, the relevant loop control or a plugin version implicated by its update notes.
  3. Repeat the exact same sequence and observe whether the first item plays at startup, after transitions, and after the playlist wraps.
  4. If OBS output is correct but a YouTube viewer still appears to miss an item, keep that as a separate playback issue rather than changing OBS settings without evidence.
  5. For further troubleshooting, record the source type, OBS version, plugin version if applicable, item order, whether file paths repeat, and whether the skip appears in OBS preview/recording or only on YouTube.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is to keep uploaded videos running as a YouTube live stream without leaving a computer on, StreamNeo runs the stream from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; the uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
suevery Gaming PC Desktop Computer Ryzen 5,16GB DDR4 512G SSD, RX 560 4G
  • 【6-Core Ryzen 5 Prebuilt Gaming PC | Smooth Large Game & Streaming Performance】 The Suevery prebuilt gaming PC features an Ryzen 5 6-Core processor (3.6GHz Base, 4.1GHz Boost) and Radeon RX 560 4GB Graphics Card. It delivers lag-free gameplay for large games, seamless high-definition streaming, and smooth creative software operation, meeting gamers and content creators' reliable performance needs.
  • 【16GB DDR4 RAM + 512GB NVMe SSD | Blazing-Fast Boot & Load Speeds】 16GB DDR4 RAM supports simultaneous operation of multiple games, browser tabs and office apps without slowdowns. The 512GB NVMe SSD (up to 30x faster than traditional HDDs) enables fast boot-ups, instant game loads and quick file transfers, with ample storage for games, videos and work files.
  • 【Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Tower | Versatile Connectivity for Multi-Scenarios】 This tower gaming desktop has Wi-Fi 6 for fast, stable wireless internet, ideal for online gaming and high-definition streaming. It also includes 2× USB 3.0 and 4× USB 2.0 ports to connect peripherals, storage and office devices, suitable for gaming, home and office use.
  • 【RGB Cooling System | Stable Operation】 The advanced air cooling system with customizable RGB fans keeps the gaming tower PC cool and quiet during intense gaming. Optimized airflow maintains optimal component temperatures, preventing overheating and ensuring stable performance for long gaming sessions or heavy office workloads. Sleek RGB lighting adds a gaming-inspired aesthetic.
  • 【Prebuilt Tower PC | Adapt to Gaming/Work/Home/Office】 This prebuilt tower gaming PC is versatile for streaming, work, home and office tasks—from video editing and design software to daily office work and browsing. Ready to use with no extra setup, it meets the needs of gamers, remote workers and home users.

Start your free StreamNeo 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.