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To loop a video file into YouTube Live with FFmpeg, place -stream_loop -1 before the input file, add -re so FFmpeg reads it at real-time speed, and send the output to the RTMPS URL and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room. The command below is a starting template: match its encoding settings to your file, target quality, and YouTube’s current guidance, then test the stream before relying on it unattended.

Use this FFmpeg command as a starting point

ffmpeg 
  -stream_loop -1 -re -i input.mp4 
  -c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -r 30 -g 60 
  -b:v 5M -maxrate 5M -bufsize 10M 
  -c:a aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 
  -f flv 'rtmps://<server>/<stream-key>'

Replace input.mp4 with the path to your video and replace the destination with the RTMPS address and stream key shown for your stream in YouTube Live Control Room. The angle-bracketed destination is illustrative, not a working URL. Keep your actual stream key private: it functions like a password for broadcasting to your channel.

The crucial ordering is -stream_loop -1 before -i input.mp4. The value -1 requests infinite looping. The -re option reads the file at its native rate rather than sending it as fast as FFmpeg can process it. This option order is shown in a 2022 FFmpeg-user mailing-list example; check the options supported by your installed FFmpeg build and test the exact file and command before depending on it.

Get the YouTube stream URL and key

  1. In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or select the stream you intend to use. Copy its stream URL and stream key into your local FFmpeg configuration. YouTube’s guide to the encoder workflow is at Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
  2. Use the secure RTMPS address if your encoder supports it. YouTube says the ordinary RTMP address may appear by default; use the lock control in Live Control Room to reveal the RTMPS URL. RTMPS is RTMP protected by TLS/SSL. See YouTube’s RTMPS guidance.
  3. Store the key somewhere private, such as a local configuration file with appropriately restricted access. Do not post it in public scripts, screenshots, support requests, or source repositories. If it is exposed, replace it in YouTube Studio.

Choose settings that match the file and target

The sample command encodes H.264 video at 30 fps with a 60-frame GOP, 5 Mbps video bitrate, and AAC stereo audio settings at 44.1 kHz and 128 Kbps. These are not universal defaults. YouTube’s current encoder guidance varies by codec, resolution, and frame rate; use its table for the quality you actually intend to send: Choose live encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.

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Video codec, resolution, and frame rate

YouTube lists H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1 for encoder streams and supports frame rates up to 60 fps. The example uses H.264, but FFmpeg must have the selected encoder available. If you change the frame rate or resolution, set a bitrate appropriate to that combination rather than carrying over the sample’s 5 Mbps value. YouTube recommends progressive scan, square pixels, and Rec. 709 for SDR content.

Bitrate and keyframes

YouTube recommends constant bitrate (CBR), a keyframe interval of two seconds, and says not to exceed four seconds. For the example’s 30 fps output, -g 60 requests a 60-frame GOP, or two seconds when the encoder honors that frame rate. YouTube currently recommends 5 Mbps for H.264 at 1080p30; other codec, resolution, and frame-rate combinations have different recommendations. Keep the configured rate within the relevant YouTube guidance and ensure your upload connection can sustain it.

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Audio

The sample encodes audio as AAC at 128 Kbps and 44.1 kHz. YouTube lists AAC or MP3 and gives 44.1 kHz, 128 Kbps stereo guidance. If your source has no audio, or its audio properties differ, adapt the command and confirm the result in a test stream rather than assuming these sample options suit every file.

Re-encode or copy the streams

The sample re-encodes video and audio, which lets you set output parameters but uses CPU resources. If the input’s codecs and parameters already match the ingest settings, stream copy may reduce CPU use; it does not convert incompatible media. The available evidence does not establish whether a particular file can be copied safely across its loop boundary, so inspect the streams and test that exact file and command. Check the installed FFmpeg build’s help and encoder list because available options and encoder names depend on how it was built.

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Test the loop before leaving it running

  1. Start with a test stream that is unlisted or otherwise appropriate for your channel. YouTube recommends testing before going live.
  2. Run the command and check YouTube’s stream-health panel and messages while it is receiving the feed. Confirm that the picture and audio are correct and that the stream remains stable; a running FFmpeg process alone does not prove YouTube is receiving a healthy stream.
  3. Observe at least one transition from the end of the file back to its beginning. Look and listen for a pause, missing audio, a decoding error, or a stream interruption.
  4. Check the machine’s CPU use and the upload connection under the intended settings. The FFmpeg mailing-list report associated with this use case describes one user’s experience, not a controlled performance test or a general reliability finding.

What “nonstop” does and does not guarantee

-stream_loop -1 tells FFmpeg to repeat the input; it does not guarantee that YouTube will receive an uninterrupted broadcast. The machine running FFmpeg, the file, encoding load, network, ingest health, account settings, and operator actions can all affect continuity. Monitor YouTube’s stream health and test the actual setup before treating it as unattended.

There is also an archive-duration limitation to plan around: YouTube’s encoder setup page says, “All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived.” That statement does not establish what happens to a broadcast longer than 12 hours as one complete archived video. If you need a complete archive, plan a separate recording or archive workflow instead of assuming an indefinitely long live stream will be saved as one video.

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Troubleshoot common problems

Symptom Likely check What to do
The file plays once and stops Confirm -stream_loop -1 appears before -i and that the command is using the intended input. Correct the option order, then test the loop transition again.
YouTube does not receive the stream Check the RTMPS URL and stream key copied from the selected Live Control Room stream, and verify that the key has not been revoked or replaced. Copy the current destination and key again. Keep the key private.
Video or audio is missing or rejected Check the source codecs and output options against YouTube’s encoder requirements. Use compatible encoding settings and review the stream-health messages; test changes before broadcasting publicly.
Stream health reports instability Compare the configured bitrate with YouTube’s guidance for the chosen codec, resolution, and frame rate, and check whether the upload connection can sustain it. Use an appropriate bitrate and test the connection and encoder load at the target settings.
CPU load is unexpectedly high Re-encoding can use substantial CPU, depending on the file, settings, and hardware. Check whether compatible stream copy is appropriate for the file, or lower the encoding workload while preserving settings suitable for your target stream. Test the exact result.
Picture or sound glitches at the loop boundary Looping does not ensure the file’s streams join cleanly at the boundary. Inspect the file and test the actual command across repeated transitions. The cited documentation does not establish a universal stream-copy fix.

Or let it run in the cloud

If you do not want a computer and home connection to stay on, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It loops the video from the cloud; it does not broadcast from a camera.

  • Nothing has to stay on at home once the stream is set up.
  • Every slot streams the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode 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 your 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.

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