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For a YouTube Live stream built around a prerecorded video, set OBS’s output frame rate to the video’s actual frame rate when practical. In OBS, go to Settings > Video > Common FPS Value. Matching is a sensible way to preserve the source’s cadence—not a special YouTube Live requirement. YouTube Live accepts up to 60 fps; if 60 fps makes OBS unstable, try 30 fps and test the actual clip.
What FPS should OBS use for a prerecorded video?
Start with the file’s actual frame rate rather than assuming it is 30 fps because of its resolution. Common recorded rates include 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, and 60 fps. YouTube’s upload guidance says content should be encoded and uploaded at the rate it was recorded, which supports preserving the source rate as a practical starting point. That upload recommendation is not an explicit rule for a live OBS media source. YouTube’s upload encoding guidance
OBS describes Common FPS Value as the output frame-rate setting and says it should match the desired output FPS. OBS Studio overview YouTube Live’s published encoder guidance allows up to 60 fps. A higher output rate does not add source detail that is not in the prerecorded file, so do not raise a 24, 25, or 30 fps source to 60 fps simply because the platform permits it. YouTube Live encoder settings
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How to set the frame rate in OBS
- Check the video file. Find its frame rate in your media information or editing/export workflow. If you have a playlist, check representative files rather than assuming every clip uses the same rate.
- Open Settings > Video in OBS. Set Common FPS Value to the source rate if that exact rate is available and suitable for your intended stream output.
- Choose the output resolution separately. OBS distinguishes Base (Canvas) Resolution from Output (Scaled) Resolution. These control resolution, not FPS; changing one does not set the other.
- Test with the same material you plan to stream. Use the same clip, audio, motion, and transitions in an unlisted, private, or otherwise safe test. Check for judder, dropped frames, audio-sync problems, and YouTube stream-health warnings.
- Adjust only if the test calls for it. If 60 fps causes instability, try 30 fps. OBS recommends this when 60 fps does not work; fewer frames can reduce rendering and encoding effort. Test again, since moving from a 60 fps source to a 30 fps output changes cadence.
YouTube recommends testing before an event with similar audio and movement, then monitoring stream health and messages while live. YouTube Live encoder settings
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Should OBS be 30 or 60 fps for YouTube Live?
| Choice | When it makes sense | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Match the source rate | When you want to preserve the prerecorded video’s cadence and OBS remains stable at that rate. | Check the file rate and test representative motion, especially when the playlist contains clips with different rates. |
| 30 fps | When 60 fps is too demanding for the computer, or when 30 fps suits the source and intended output. | A 30 fps output changes cadence for a 60 fps source. Test for judder and other visible issues. |
| 60 fps | When the source and intended output support it, motion benefits from it, and the computer and upload connection can sustain the stream. | YouTube supports up to 60 fps, but that is a ceiling, not a requirement. Test OBS stability and stream health. |
Frame rate and upload bandwidth are separate decisions. YouTube’s recommended ingest bitrates differ by resolution, frame rate, and codec; a matching frame rate alone does not establish that your connection can sustain the stream.
YouTube Live settings to check alongside FPS
YouTube’s live encoder guidance calls for CBR bitrate encoding for RTMP/RTMPS and recommends a 2-second keyframe frequency, not over 4 seconds. It supports H.264, H.265/HEVC, and AV1, and says it automatically detects encoder settings and transcodes the stream for viewers. Check the current guidance for the selected resolution, codec, and frame rate: YouTube Live encoder settings.
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Examples from YouTube’s live encoder settings page accessed on 2026-10-03:
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Output | Codec | YouTube-listed minimum ingest bitrate | YouTube-listed recommended ingest bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p30 | H.264 | 5 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | H.264 | 6 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | AV1 or H.265 | 4 Mbps | 10 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | AV1 or H.265 | 4 Mbps | 12 Mbps |
These are YouTube’s listed ingest recommendations, not guarantees of picture quality or a substitute for checking available upload capacity and stream health. YouTube recommends running a speed test and testing the stream. The figures above are from its live encoder settings page accessed on 2026-10-03; consult the page for current values.
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Mixed-frame-rate playlists: choose and test deliberately
There is no single universally correct OBS rate established for playlists with mixed frame rates. Choose the rate that best serves the dominant or most important material, then test transitions between clips with different rates. Look and listen for cadence changes, judder, dropped frames, and audio-sync issues. If those problems appear, try another output rate and repeat the test rather than assuming one setting will suit every file.
Troubleshooting frame-rate problems
- OBS struggles at 60 fps: Try 30 fps, as OBS recommends when 60 fps is not working, then test the actual material again. OBS encoding performance troubleshooting
- Motion looks uneven: Check whether the output rate differs from the source rate and test with representative motion. For a mixed-rate playlist, compare behavior across clip changes.
- YouTube reports stream-health warnings or frames drop: Confirm the selected resolution, frame rate, codec, and ingest bitrate against YouTube’s current settings. Test upload capacity and monitor stream health; FPS matching cannot compensate for insufficient bandwidth.
- Audio is out of sync: Re-test with the same source audio and transitions expected in the live stream, and check synchronization during the test rather than relying on a short static clip.
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