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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo stream a prerecorded video around the clock from a spare PC, use OBS Studio as the encoder: add one video as a looping Media Source, or use its VLC Video source for a playlist, then connect OBS to a YouTube Live broadcast. You will need a working upload connection and a PC that stays on. Test the whole setup before relying on it; neither YouTube nor OBS promises uninterrupted 24/7 operation.
Before you start
- A spare PC that can run OBS and play your selected media continuously.
- Your video file or playlist stored on that PC.
- A stable internet connection with enough upload capacity for the selected stream quality. OBS recommends wired networking because Wi-Fi may be unstable.
- A YouTube channel with live streaming enabled. First-time enablement can take up to 24 hours, according to YouTube’s encoder setup guidance.
- OBS Studio installed. For playlists using OBS’s VLC Video source, VLC must also be installed; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
Prepare the video or playlist in OBS
Loop one video with Media Source
- Open OBS Studio and select the scene you want to use, or create a new scene.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source. Give it a recognizable name and select OK.
- In the source properties, enable Local File, browse to the video, and select it.
- Enable Loop so the file restarts when playback reaches the end. Check that the preview shows the right video and that its audio is audible.
OBS documents support for video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG and WAV. A listed format is not a substitute for testing your specific file in the OBS installation you plan to use. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
Play a playlist with VLC Video
- Install VLC in the same architecture as OBS: 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose VLC Video Source.
- Add the local media files you want in the playlist, then set the source’s loop or shuffle options as needed.
- Preview the playlist and confirm the files play and transition as expected before you start the broadcast.
OBS’s VLC Video source supports multiple files, looping and shuffle. For current source details, see OBS Media Sources.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Create > Go live to open Live Control Room. Set up or schedule the broadcast and select the stream setup information YouTube provides.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select YouTube as the service and enter the server and stream key using the details shown in YouTube Live Control Room. If the OBS screen offers account connection instead, follow its prompts and verify the correct channel is selected.
- Treat the stream key like a password: do not publish it, share it, or leave it visible in screenshots or recordings. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube’s live-stream settings.
- Apply the settings, return to the main OBS window, and verify the intended scene and source are active before starting the stream.
YouTube’s encoder instructions describe the live encoder workflow. The exact labels can change; use the stream setup information shown for your broadcast in Live Control Room.
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Set output quality and test the stream
In OBS, open Settings > Output and Settings > Video to configure the encoder and output. Choose a resolution and bitrate your PC and upload connection can sustain. YouTube recommends RTMPS, constant bitrate encoding and a 2-second keyframe interval; its guidance says the interval should not exceed 4 seconds. Check YouTube’s current encoder settings for supported codecs and quality guidance rather than assuming a high-quality setting will suit every connection.
- Run an upload-speed test at the location and time you expect to stream. Leave headroom rather than setting the stream bitrate equal to the full measured upload rate.
- Start a private or unlisted test broadcast if appropriate for your channel, and check the YouTube preview and status for video, audio and connection problems.
- Let the source run long enough to confirm a single file loops or the playlist advances and repeats as intended.
- Watch OBS’s status indicators for dropped frames or disconnections. If problems appear, reduce bitrate or output demands and test again.
Keep the spare PC running
A local OBS stream depends on the PC, its power and its network connection continuing to work. Before leaving it unattended, review the operating system’s power settings so it does not sleep, and check that the computer can handle sustained playback and encoding in your particular setup. Rehearse recovery from a restart or connection interruption. The official YouTube and OBS guidance does not establish PC-specific sleep settings, crash recovery behavior, thermal suitability or a guaranteed way to resume after power loss; those depend on your hardware, operating system and configuration.
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Use Ethernet when practical. OBS recommends a wired connection because Wi-Fi can be unstable. If frames drop or OBS disconnects, check the network path to the ingest server, the configured bitrate, connection stability and relevant drivers before increasing output quality.
Choose a single loop, playlist or cloud service
| Approach | How it works | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| One video in Media Source | OBS plays a local file and its Loop option restarts it. | Simple when the same recording should repeat; test the file and loop behavior. |
| Playlist in VLC Video | OBS uses VLC Video to play multiple local files, with loop and shuffle options. | Requires VLC installed in the same architecture as OBS; test ordering and playback. |
| Local PC with OBS | The spare PC plays and sends the stream to YouTube. | You operate the PC, its power and its internet connection for the stream to continue. |
| Cloud streaming service | A cloud tool sends prerecorded video to YouTube without your home PC acting as the encoder. | YouTube identifies cloud-based tools as an option for 24/7 prerecorded streams, but the cited guidance does not establish that a particular provider is suitable for every channel. |
There is no quantified reliability comparison in the available official guidance between a spare-PC setup and cloud services, and neither method should be treated as a guarantee of uninterrupted uptime.
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Common problems and fixes
The video will not play in OBS
- Confirm the file path is correct and the file opens in the target OBS installation.
- For VLC Video playlists, confirm VLC is installed and matches OBS’s architecture.
- Try a supported media format and test the replacement file in OBS before going live.
The video ends instead of repeating
- For a single Media Source, reopen its properties and check Loop.
- For a VLC Video source, check the playlist’s loop setting and test a complete cycle.
YouTube does not receive the stream
- Confirm live streaming is enabled; first-time activation may take up to 24 hours.
- Check that OBS uses the current server and stream key shown in Live Control Room and that the intended broadcast is ready.
- Verify internet access and try the connection test again. Replace a stream key if it has been exposed.
Dropped frames or disconnections
- Prefer Ethernet over Wi-Fi where possible.
- Lower the configured bitrate or output quality to fit the available upload connection.
- Check drivers, network stability and the path to YouTube’s ingest server, then run another test.
The PC stops streaming while unattended
- Check power and sleep settings, network continuity and whether OBS remains open after a restart.
- Test the exact recovery procedure for your operating system and hardware; automatic restart after a crash or power loss is not established by the general OBS or YouTube guidance.
Copyright and YouTube policy
Looping a video technically is separate from having the right to stream it or qualify for monetization. Use recordings and music you own, have licensed for this use, or are otherwise entitled to broadcast. A loop, playlist or continuous-stream format does not itself establish permission or make content eligible for monetization. Review YouTube’s applicable copyright and monetization policies for your channel and content before leaving a stream running.
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For planning the local workflow, YouTube’s setup guidance is at YouTube encoder setup; OBS’s source documentation is at Media Sources; its network guidance is at dropped frames and connection troubleshooting.
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