Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
You can’t keep OBS streaming after signing out of Windows. Sign out ends your Windows session and closes its applications, including OBS. If you only need to secure the screen, press Windows key + L to lock the PC instead—but locking does not guarantee OBS will keep rendering video. For an unattended YouTube loop that does not depend on your Windows session, a cloud service such as StreamNeo is a separate option.
What happens when you sign out, lock, or switch users?
| Windows action | What happens to the session | What to expect from OBS |
|---|---|---|
| Sign out | Windows closes open applications as it ends your session. | OBS closes, so its stream stops. |
| Lock | Your applications remain open in the background while the screen is secured. | OBS remains open, but continued video rendering is not guaranteed on every setup. |
| Switch user | Windows moves to another account without ending the original session or closing its applications. | OBS may remain open, but a reported GPU-access limitation can prevent it from producing output while the original session is inactive. |
Microsoft documents the difference between these actions for Windows 10 and Windows 11 in its User Account Access in Windows guidance. OBS also warns that its active streams and recordings are shut down when the application exits, as shown in the OBS interface text.
If you only need to step away, lock the PC
- Leave OBS open and confirm that it is streaming.
- Press Windows key + L. This locks the screen without signing out.
- Check the YouTube broadcast from another device or browser session if you need to confirm that it is still receiving video.
Locking preserves the Windows session, but that alone does not ensure OBS continues producing frames. A 2021 OBS Project forum response reported that Windows can remove GPU access when the screen is locked or the user switches away, leaving OBS unable to render output in that situation. That is a community report, not a universal guarantee about current Windows builds or hardware. See the OBS forum discussion.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Test your exact setup before relying on it
Before leaving an important broadcast unattended, run a private or unlisted YouTube test using the same OBS scenes, sources, graphics hardware, drivers, and Windows setup. Lock the PC or switch users as you plan to in real use, then verify from another device that the picture continues to update—not merely that YouTube still shows a connected encoder. Results can vary with the Windows build, graphics driver, OBS version, and source types.
#1 Best Overall
- High-FPS Gaming PC Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB give this KOTIN gaming desktop the speed for 1080p and 1440p PC gaming, esports, AAA titles, streaming, and creative work, with DLSS 4 and ray tracing support for smoother, more detailed visuals.
- 32GB DDR5 Memory + 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD: 32GB DDR5 keeps multitasking, browser tabs, streaming apps, and game launchers responsive, while the 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD helps shorten boot times, load games faster, and store your favorite titles, work files, and media.
- Cool, Clean Gaming Tower Build: A CPU air cooler with 6 copper heat pipes and a digital temperature display works with five 120mm ARGB fans to support stable airflow during long sessions, giving this desktop computer a modern gaming setup look without sacrificing everyday practicality.
- WiFi 7, Gold PSU & Upgrade Ready: WiFi 7 and Bluetooth help reduce cable clutter and support low-latency online play. A 650W 80 PLUS Gold power supply, four DDR5 DIMM slots, and three M.2 SSD slots give this prebuilt gaming PC room for future memory and storage upgrades.
- Plug & Play Windows 11 Desktop: Professionally assembled and tested in the USA, this KOTIN gaming desktop arrives with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so you can connect your monitor, keyboard, and mouse and start playing quickly. Includes a 1-year limited warranty and free technical support.
Why a YouTube stream key cannot keep OBS alive
A stream key identifies the destination and authorizes the encoder’s connection; it is not a process that sends video by itself. YouTube describes a stream key as like a stream’s password and address in its streaming setup guidance. OBS must remain running and send the feed for YouTube to receive it.
OBS connects from your computer directly to YouTube rather than routing video through OBS servers. A stable internet connection and suitable output settings can help with network-related dropped frames, but neither can keep an application running after Windows closes its session. YouTube’s encoder start/stop controls likewise do not keep OBS open. See OBS’s streaming guide.
Rank #2
- [15W Ryzen 7 Agentic PC for Everyday Workflows] Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor (8 Cores, 16 Threads), the GEEKOM A5 is built for sustained productivity. It doubles as your cloud-native Agentic AI assistant, seamlessly hosting cloud AI tasks, automating office workflows, and handling intelligent document summarization without complex local deployment. Smoothly manage Microsoft Office, dozens of browser tabs, heavy Excel spreadsheets, and remote learning throughout your workday.
- [Smart Value Now, Expandable for Tomorrow] Equipped with 16GB RAM and a fast 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD for snappy daily performance, the A5 offers incredible value. Need more space later? It features dual-slot DDR4 RAM (upgradable to 64GB) and supports an M.2 SSD up to 4TB. With an extra M.2 2242 slot and 2.5" HDD bay for up to 10TB total storage, you get the flexibility to scale your storage seamlessly as your needs grow, beating soldered LPDDR solutions.
- [Multi-Display Connectivity for Maximum Productivity] Create a complete workstation with support for up to four displays through Dual HDMI and Dual USB-C ports, including up to 8K output via USB-C. Stay connected with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, a 2.5GbE LAN port, SD card reader, and multiple USB ports for fast networking, efficient multitasking, and seamless connectivity across all your devices.
- [Built to Stay Cool, Quiet & Reliable] More than fast, the GEEKOM A5 is built to last. A reinforced one-piece all-metal internal frame enhances structural strength, while the upgraded IceBlast 3.0 cooling system improves cooling efficiency by up to 42% with up to 35% greater airflow for quieter operation. Backed by 339 reliability tests and a 72-hour full-load aging test, it's engineered for dependable long-term performance.
- 🏢[Business-Ready, Compact & Efficient] Pre-installed OS, the GEEKOM A5 supports Wake-on-LAN, Scheduled Power On, and Group Policy, making deployment and remote management simple for businesses. Its ultra-compact 0.6L design fits neatly behind monitors or into space-limited workstations while delivering excellent power efficiency for home offices, front desks, and commercial environments.
For an unattended stream, use an environment that stays active
If you must sign out, plan on the OBS stream stopping. A different do-it-yourself approach is to run OBS in a continuously active, dedicated streaming environment, but that is a separate setup: it needs its own compatibility testing and operational monitoring. Neither a Windows sign-out setting nor a YouTube stream key turns a closed OBS application into an ongoing encoder.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a YouTube channel that needs uploaded video to loop without keeping a home PC online, StreamNeo runs the stream in the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. The stream can continue with your computer off; StreamNeo offers automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. Uploaded video is sent as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot rather than quality tiers. The first day is free with no card. The monthly option is $9.99 per month.
Rank #3
- High-FPS Gaming PC Performance: AMD Ryzen 7 8700F and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB give this KOTIN gaming desktop responsive speed for 1080p and 1440p PC gaming, esports, AAA titles, streaming, and creative work, with DLSS 4 and ray tracing support for smoother visuals.
- 16GB DDR5 + 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD: 16GB DDR5 memory supports smooth everyday gaming, multitasking, browsing, streaming apps, and game launchers, while the 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD helps shorten boot times, load games faster, and store your favorite titles and files.
- Cool, Clean Gaming Tower Build: A CPU air cooler with 6 copper heat pipes and a digital temperature display works with five 120mm ARGB fans to support stable airflow during long sessions, giving this desktop computer a modern gaming setup look.
- WiFi 7, Gold PSU & Upgrade Ready: WiFi 7 and Bluetooth help support low-latency online play. A 650W 80 PLUS Gold power supply, four DDR5 DIMM slots, and three M.2 SSD slots give this prebuilt gaming PC room for future memory and storage upgrades.
- Plug & Play Windows 11 Desktop: Professionally assembled and tested in the USA, this KOTIN gaming desktop arrives with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, so you can connect your monitor, keyboard, and mouse and start playing quickly. Includes a 1-year limited warranty and free technical support.
StreamNeo is for looping uploaded video on YouTube, not live camera streaming. See StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Great power in a small computer】Get fast performance from the AMD Ryzen 5 3501U CPU (2.1GHz-3.7GHz, 4 Cores 8 Threads) inside this mini pc, TDP 15W up to 25W. It's perfect for all your home office and business use, like daily computing, web browsing, and smooth media streaming. This small desktop computer handles everyday tasks easily and quietly.
- 【Work on many things at once with lots of storage】This mini PC comes with 16GB of fast DDR4 RAM (expandable up to 32GB), allowing you to smoothly run multiple programs, dozens of browser tabs, and large files all at once. It also features a spacious 512GB NVMe SSD that provides ample storage and delivers dramatically faster boot-ups, app launches, and file transfers compared to a traditional hard drive.
- 【See everything clearly on one or two 4K screens】Connect one or two monitors for more space to work or play. Dual HDMI ports on this mini pc support super sharp 4K Ultra HD video. It's great for doubling your work area for business or watching movies in high definition.
- 【Fast modern connections in a tiny box】Enjoy a better and more stable internet connection with the latest WiFi 6. Use Bluetooth 5.3 to connect wireless headphones, keyboards, and mice without wires. This small pc is very compact to save desk space and has extra USB ports (USB 2.0×2, USB 3.0×2, Type-c 2.0×1, Type-c 3.2 full featured×1, HDMI×2) for your printer, webcam, or other computer accessories.
- 【Reliable Warranty and Support】We provides 1 year warranty for each Mini computers. So you don't need to worry about any product problems. If you have any questions about the product, please contact our customer service, we will provide 24-hour professional technical support and serve you at any time.
Rank #4
- This Gaming PC Desktop is well-suited for a variety of tasks including gaming, study, business, photo and video editing, streaming, day trading, crypto trading and so on
- This high-performance Gaming Computer Desktop is capable of running a wide range of popular PC games for pc gamer, including Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, Escape from Tarkov, GTA V, World of Warcraft, LOL, Valorant, Apex Legends, Roblox, Overwatch, CSGO, Battlefield V, Minecraft, Elden Ring, Rocket League, The Division 2, and Hogwarts Legacy with 60+ FPS
- PC Gaming System: This gaming computer desktop is loaded with Intel Core i7 up to 3.9GHz | 16GB Memory | 1TB Solid State Drive | Genuine Windows 11 Home 64-bit
- Gaming Desktop Connectivity: This gaming pc comes with RGB Fan x 6 | 1x RJ-45 | Wi-Fi 6 | Bluetooth 5.0 | AMD Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5 Video Card | 1x HDMI | 3x DisplayPort | 1x DVI
- Gaming Computer Special Feature: This gaming pc equips with RGB Gaming Mouse & Keyboard | 1 Year parts & labor | Complimentary lifetime tech support
Troubleshoot a stream that stopped after you stepped away
- You signed out: Sign back into Windows and reopen OBS. Confirm its output status, then check YouTube Live Control Room to see whether the broadcast is receiving a feed. Signing out closed the original OBS session; changing the stream key does not restore that process.
- You locked the screen or switched users: Check whether the image is still updating from another device. If the encoder appears connected but the picture is frozen or absent, return to the original session and inspect OBS output and logs. Test again with the same sources and graphics setup before depending on lock or user switching.
- YouTube is not receiving an encoder feed: Verify the broadcast and feed state in Live Control Room, then check OBS’s output status and logs. A missing encoder is not, by itself, evidence of an invalid stream key; first establish that OBS is still running and sending output.
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.
