You can loop videos stored in Google Drive in an always-on YouTube live stream by making the files available on a computer, playing them through OBS Studio, and sending OBS’s output to YouTube Live. Google Drive is file storage here—not a documented, direct playlist source for OBS—so the videos must be accessible as media files on the streaming computer. The computer, files, OBS and internet connection must remain operational, and you should monitor the broadcast.
What you need before you start
- A YouTube channel that is verified and has had no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days, as YouTube’s current eligibility guidance requires: YouTube live-streaming eligibility.
- OBS Studio and the video files you intend to play, accessible from the computer running OBS.
- VLC installed if you plan to use OBS’s VLC Video source for a multi-file playlist. OBS says this source depends on VLC libraries and may not appear without VLC: OBS Project: Media Sources.
- A stable internet connection with enough upload capacity for the stream settings you choose.
Drive synchronization can help make files available on the computer, but the OBS documentation describes local media files and playlists—not a native Google Drive playlist integration or automatic refresh when a Drive playlist changes. Confirm each file is available at its local path and test it in OBS before going live.
Make the playlist available to OBS
Prepare files from Google Drive
- Use the method you normally rely on to make the videos available on the streaming computer, such as downloading them or synchronizing them for local access.
- Check that the files are fully available and playable, rather than relying on a cloud-only placeholder or a temporary network path.
- Keep the files in a stable location while streaming. If you rename, move, remove or replace a file, check the OBS source paths and playlist again before the broadcast.
OBS’s published source documentation does not establish that OBS can browse or stream a Drive playlist directly. Do not assume edits to a playlist in Drive will automatically change the list playing in OBS.
Choose how OBS should repeat the videos
One video on repeat
- In OBS, add a Media Source and select the video file.
- Enable the source’s Loop option, then confirm the video and its audio play correctly in the OBS preview.
OBS documents the Media Source as suitable for playing an individual media file; its settings are described in the OBS Media Sources guide.
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Several videos in sequence
- Install VLC if it is not already installed, then open OBS and add a VLC Video source.
- Add the local video files in the order you want them to play.
- Enable Loop Playlist and review the source in the preview to make sure playback advances and returns to the beginning as intended.
OBS describes VLC Video as supporting a playlist of items and a Loop Playlist option. Its documented default network-caching value is 400 ms; that is a software default, not a guarantee of smooth playback or network performance. See the OBS documentation.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, open the current Live Control Room and create or schedule an encoder stream.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that stream. In OBS, open Settings > Stream, choose the appropriate YouTube service option, and enter the server URL and stream key in their corresponding fields. YouTube’s current interface and OBS labels can change, so use the values shown for your stream rather than a saved or copied key from an older setup. The key allows an encoder to send a feed to the correct stream; treat it like a password. See YouTube Help: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
- Use RTMPS if your encoder and connection support it; YouTube recommends RTMPS and publishes current encoder settings in its live encoder settings guidance.
- In OBS, check the video, audio and output settings against YouTube’s current recommendations and your available upload capacity. Choose a bitrate your connection can sustain; do not treat a settings table as a reliability guarantee.
- Start the stream from OBS and wait for the feed to appear in the Live Control Room preview. Check that the expected playlist video and audio are present before making the broadcast public or starting the event.
- While live, monitor the OBS output and YouTube’s live status. YouTube recommends checking the preview and stream health; the computer, source files, encoder and network all need to keep working for the stream to continue. See YouTube’s encoder guidance.
Check copyright and replay expectations
Only stream content you have rights to use
YouTube scans live streams for matches to third-party content. A match can lead to a placeholder, interruption or termination. Even if you have a licence for third-party material, the rights owner may need to add your channel to its Content ID allowlist for the live stream to proceed without a claim-related interruption. Review YouTube Help: Copyright issues with live streams before broadcasting. Having a video in your Drive does not itself establish permission to stream it.
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Do not rely on one complete replay for a longer stream
YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That guidance does not promise one complete replay for a continuous stream lasting 12 hours or longer. If a replay matters, plan around the documented limit and check the archive after the broadcast: YouTube Help: Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
Troubleshoot common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video is missing from OBS’s source list | VLC is not installed, so the source’s required VLC libraries are unavailable. | Install VLC, restart OBS if needed, and check the source list again. OBS documents this dependency in its Media Sources guide. |
| A video does not play or the playlist stops at an item | The file is not locally accessible, its path changed, or OBS cannot read it as configured. | Confirm the file is available on the streaming computer, open the source properties, and test the playlist from the beginning. Avoid moving or renaming files during the broadcast. |
| OBS is sending to the wrong stream or YouTube receives no feed | The stream URL or key may be incorrect, stale or entered in the wrong field. | Copy the URL and key from the current stream in YouTube Studio and check OBS’s stream settings. Keep the key private. |
| The preview is missing video or audio, or playback stutters | The source may not be playing correctly, or the chosen output settings may exceed available upload capacity. | Test the files and audio in OBS, check YouTube’s preview and stream health, and adjust encoder settings to a bitrate your connection can sustain. Consult YouTube’s current encoder recommendations. |
| The live stream is interrupted after copyrighted material is detected | YouTube’s live copyright scanning has identified third-party content; a licence alone may not prevent interruption if the channel is not allowlisted. | Use material you have rights to stream and, where applicable, ask the rights owner about Content ID allowlisting. See YouTube’s copyright guidance. |
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is an alternative if you want a YouTube playlist to keep running without leaving a streaming computer on at home. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video from the cloud and can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. It streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot. The first day is free with no card required; one free day is available per account. The monthly option is $9.99 per month. For Indian creators, UPI works as well as cards. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free day.
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