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To restart a multi-file playlist automatically in an OBS-powered YouTube live stream, add the files to an OBS VLC Video source and enable Loop Playlist. That setting repeats the playlist when it reaches the end. For one repeating file, use OBS’s built-in Media Source and enable Loop instead.
Choose the right OBS source
| What you want to play | OBS source | Repeat setting |
|---|---|---|
| A playlist of multiple files | VLC Video | Loop Playlist |
| One local file repeated | Media Source | Loop |
OBS documents these controls separately: OBS Media Sources guide. VLC must be installed for VLC Video to appear. Match its architecture to OBS: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
Set up a repeating multi-file playlist
- Install VLC if needed. Install the version matching your OBS architecture. If VLC Video is missing from the source list, check that VLC is installed and that the 32-bit/64-bit versions match.
- Add the source. In OBS, select the scene that should show the playlist. In the Sources panel, click + and choose VLC Video. Create a new source or select an existing one.
- Add the media files. Open the source’s properties and add the files to its playlist. Confirm the list contains the files you intend to play and arrange them in the desired order.
- Enable playlist looping. In the VLC Video properties, make sure Loop Playlist is checked. OBS’s guide lists this option as on by default, but verify it rather than relying on the default.
- Apply and preview. Close the properties and watch the OBS preview. Check that video and audio play as expected and that the source is visible in the scene being sent to YouTube.
Loop one file instead
If the stream should repeat a single local video rather than cycle through several files, add a Media Source and select the file. Enable its Loop option in the source properties. Do not use Media Source’s single-file loop setting as a substitute for VLC Video’s multi-file Loop Playlist control.
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Loop Playlist determines what happens after VLC Video finishes the files in its playlist. Visibility Behaviour determines what happens when that source is hidden in the scene. OBS provides options to stop when not visible and restart when visible, pause when not visible and resume when visible, or always play. Choose based on how you use scenes; changing visibility behavior does not enable playlist looping.
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Connect OBS to the YouTube live stream
- Create or open the live stream in YouTube Studio. In Live Control Room, choose the encoder setup and copy the stream URL and stream key.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. Open OBS’s stream settings, select YouTube as the service if available, and enter the stream key. If using a custom server configuration, use the stream URL and key provided by YouTube.
- Start the encoder and check YouTube’s preview. Start streaming from OBS, then confirm that the signal appears in Live Control Room and inspect the audio and video before going live.
- Go live using YouTube’s controls. Follow the Live Control Room prompts to start the public broadcast. The stream key connects OBS to YouTube; it does not control how OBS repeats the playlist.
YouTube’s encoder workflow is described in Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder. For preview and quality checks, see YouTube live streaming tips. YouTube’s latency and DVR options are separate Live Control Room settings; DVR lets viewers pause and resume the live stream, not restart the files in OBS. See Manage live stream settings.
Troubleshoot a playlist that does not restart
- Playback stops at the end: Open VLC Video properties and check Loop Playlist. Confirm that the files are actually in the VLC Video playlist.
- VLC Video is not available: Install VLC. If it is installed, verify that its architecture matches OBS; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- The source stops or restarts when changing scenes: Review Visibility Behaviour. Stop/restart or pause/resume behavior when hidden is independent of looping at the end of the playlist.
- YouTube does not show the stream: Check that OBS is using the stream URL and key for the correct YouTube live event, start the encoder, and wait for the Live Control Room preview. Follow YouTube’s prompts to go live.
- The preview appears wrong or has no sound: Check the OBS preview and audio meters, then inspect the YouTube preview before starting the broadcast. YouTube recommends checking the stream’s audio and video quality.
Or let it run in the cloud
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