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First determine whether the sound is actual clipping or a click at the loop point: clipping is a level peak that exceeds 0 dBFS, while a click can recur at the file boundary even when the meters stay below that ceiling. For a single video, enable Loop in its Media Source; for a playlist, use a VLC Video source and enable Loop Playlist. Lower excessive levels and use OBS’s Limiter as a peak ceiling, or inspect and edit the media seam if the noise happens only when the video repeats.
Identify what the sound is doing
Clipping: a level peak
Clipping is distortion caused when the final digital audio level exceeds 0 dBFS. It may happen during loud passages anywhere in playback, not just when a video loops. A source can appear safe on its own while the combined OBS mix peaks too high.
A loop-point click: a seam problem
If the sound happens at the exact same instant every time the file restarts, but the output meter remains below 0 dBFS, it may be a discontinuity at the media boundary rather than clipping. Looping repeats the file; OBS’s loop controls do not guarantee that the audio will transition seamlessly between its end and beginning.
Set up the loop in OBS
Repeat one video
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Add or select the video’s Media Source in OBS.
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Open the source properties and enable Loop.
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Use Restart playback when source becomes active only if you want playback to restart when the source becomes active. This is separate from the Loop setting.
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Repeat a playlist
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Install VLC and add a VLC Video source. OBS’s VLC Video source depends on the VLC library being installed. The OBS guide notes that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
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Set up the playlist in the source properties and enable Loop Playlist.
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Check the source’s audio-track selection and playback behavior if the playlist plays but the expected audio does not.
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Fix peaks that are actually clipping
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Play the loudest part of the video or playlist. Watch the relevant source meter and the final OBS output mix; the mixer input meter is after source filters but before the volume fader, so an individual source meter alone does not establish that the final mix is safe.
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Lower the source level first if the peaks are too high. If several sources are active, check their combined output as well.
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Add a Limiter to the relevant audio source as protection against peaks. Put it last in that source’s filter chain; OBS specifically recommends this order.
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OBS’s documented Limiter defaults are a -6.00 dB threshold and 60 ms release. These are defaults, not universal targets for every recording or mix. Set levels by listening and checking the final output rather than assuming the defaults are right for your content.
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Make a short recording or stream test using the intended OBS output and listen through at least one repeat. Verify both the loudest passage and the moment the file restarts.
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OBS also lists Gain and Compressor among its audio filters. Gain can boost a quiet source, so adding it without checking the resulting output may increase peaks. A Compressor can control dynamics, but the Limiter is the filter OBS documents as the direct ceiling against peaks above 0 dB.
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Fix a click or thump at the repeat boundary
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Confirm that the artifact recurs at the same point on every loop and that the output meter does not exceed 0 dBFS. If it appears during loud sections elsewhere too, address the level as well.
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Inspect the audio waveform at the file’s beginning and end in an editor that can work with your media. A sudden change between the end of the file and its beginning can produce an audible transient when playback jumps back to the start.
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Edit the source media so the transition is less abrupt, then export it and check the revised file in OBS. The right edit depends on the recording; there is no universal crossfade duration or guaranteed seam-editing recipe.
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Test the revised file through the same OBS source and listen across several repeats. A limiter may restrain an excessive peak, but it does not repair a discontinuity in the source’s loop seam.
Troubleshoot the common symptoms
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| Distortion during loud passages, not only at the restart | The source or combined output is exceeding the digital ceiling. | Lower the source level, inspect the final mix, and put a Limiter last in the relevant filter chain. |
| A click happens at exactly the same point on each repeat; meters stay below 0 dBFS | A discontinuity at the media boundary is possible. | Inspect and edit the source file’s beginning/end, then test the new export across repeats. |
| One file does not repeat | The wrong source type or loop option may be in use. | For a single clip, use Media Source and enable Loop. For a playlist, use VLC Video and enable Loop Playlist. |
| A VLC playlist source is unavailable or does not work as expected | VLC may not be installed, or its architecture may not match OBS. | Install VLC; use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS. Check the playlist, audio-track selection, and source properties. |
| Audio is clean from one source but distorts in the final output | Other sources or processing may raise the combined level. | Check the final mix as well as each source, and account for filters and the volume fader. |
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