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You can run a 24/7 YouTube radio stream from a Windows PC with OBS Studio: loop audio in a scene, connect OBS to a YouTube live stream, and keep the PC, internet connection, and audio playback running. Before you start, verify that the channel can livestream, use audio you are authorized to broadcast, and test the stream. A Windows-based setup depends on local power and broadband; if you do not want to leave a PC running, a cloud option is also available.
What you need before you start
- A verified YouTube channel with live streaming enabled and no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days. YouTube says first-time activation can take up to 24 hours, so enable it in advance. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips and encoder setup instructions.
- A Windows PC running OBS Studio, your audio files stored locally, and a still image or other simple visual for the broadcast.
- A stable upload connection with capacity for the chosen video bitrate, plus a plan to keep Windows awake and recover if the PC, internet, or power fails.
- Permission to livestream the music and any visual material. A consumer music subscription does not by itself establish permission to rebroadcast tracks.
The exact performance you get depends on your PC, connection, power, and media. The settings below are starting points based on YouTube’s recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular internet plan can sustain them.
Set up the radio scene in OBS
Choose a visual and add an audio file
- Install OBS Studio for Windows from the OBS Project’s official site. Create a scene for the radio stream and add a still image, station title, or schedule card as the visual.
- In the scene’s Sources box, add a Media Source, select an audio file, and enable Loop to repeat that file. OBS documents support for common formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, WAV, and MP4. Refer to OBS Media Sources.
- For a rotation of tracks, add a VLC Video Source and configure a playlist with Loop Playlist enabled. VLC must be installed; if OBS is 64-bit, install 64-bit VLC. Check the playlist order and audio levels before going live.
Keep the media files available locally throughout the broadcast. A playlist that points to a removable drive or a file that is moved can stop playing even while the live encoder remains connected.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsClear the rights for every track
Use music you created or have explicit permission to livestream, and check separately whether the permission covers any recording or archive. YouTube scans live streams for third-party material. A match can replace the stream image, interrupt the broadcast, or terminate it. Even licensed music may be interrupted unless the rights holder has allowlisted the channel through Content ID. Read YouTube’s copyright guidance.
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India’s Copyright Act, Chapter I, includes communication to the public among the concepts relevant to making works available. That text is background, not individualized legal advice or a complete licensing checklist. Confirm that your permissions cover the intended livestream and any retained recording with the relevant rights holders or a qualified adviser.
Create the YouTube live stream and connect OBS
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live and create or schedule the broadcast in Live Control Room.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for the event. In OBS, open the stream settings and enter the server URL and key. Treat the stream key like a password: do not publish it or share it with anyone who should not be able to broadcast to your channel.
- Start streaming in OBS. Check that the preview appears in Live Control Room and that YouTube reports a healthy incoming stream. Start the YouTube event as prompted by the selected stream workflow.
- Listen to the live output and check the image, audio level, and stream health before leaving it unattended. Do a test run before the planned continuous broadcast.
YouTube’s encoder setup guide covers entering the server URL and key in an encoder and starting the encoder to create the watch page. The labels in YouTube Studio can change, so follow the current event workflow shown in your account.
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Choose OBS output settings for your connection
YouTube’s encoder guidance supports RTMP/RTMPS, H.264/H.265/AV1 video, AAC or MP3 audio, CBR, up to 60 frames per second, and a recommended two-second keyframe interval; do not exceed four seconds. YouTube recommends RTMPS as the encrypted transport option. Consult its encoder settings for the full guidance.
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| Output | YouTube recommended bitrate | YouTube listed minimum |
|---|---|---|
| 480p30 | 4 Mbps | 0.4 Mbps |
| 720p30 | 8 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| 720p60 | 8 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
| 1080p30 | 14 Mbps | 5 Mbps |
| 1080p60 | 17 Mbps | 6 Mbps |
Measure your stable upload capacity and select a bitrate below what the connection can reliably sustain, leaving headroom for variation. Test at the target bitrate and watch YouTube’s stream health. If the connection cannot hold the setting, lower the bitrate or resolution rather than relying on a peak speed test.
The National Informatics Centre says its hired-agency webcast setup needs 2–4 Mbps of dedicated bandwidth per stream. That is guidance for the NIC service context, not a YouTube encoder setting or a universal consumer broadband requirement. See NIC Webcast Services.
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Keep the Windows stream running and recover from interruptions
Prevent routine local interruptions
- Set Windows power options so the PC does not sleep during the broadcast. Check both sleep and display-power settings; the screen may turn off, but the PC must stay awake.
- Keep OBS and the media files available for the full session, and avoid relying on a temporary browser session or a removable drive.
- Use a wired Ethernet connection when practical for a more predictable local link. It is sensible operational advice, not a YouTube requirement.
- If brief power interruptions are a concern, consider a UPS sized for the PC and router. No particular capacity or runtime is established here.
Watch for network drops and software failure
OBS has an automatic reconnect setting, but reconnecting cannot guarantee uninterrupted service after an outage, power loss, or software failure. OBS’s connection troubleshooting guide explains that dropped frames indicate an unstable network or a connection that cannot sustain the selected bitrate; it recommends reducing bitrate and investigating the network path. YouTube also recommends monitoring audio and video quality and checking local archive-file growth. If your setup supports backup encoder failover, test it before depending on it. See the OBS overview and YouTube live-streaming tips.
Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or change |
|---|---|---|
| OBS shows dropped frames or the stream disconnects | Network instability or bitrate set above what the connection can sustain | Reduce bitrate, test upload stability at the new setting, and investigate the local network or ISP path. |
| The stream is live but the audio stops | The media source reached the end without looping, a file became unavailable, or the playlist stopped | Confirm Loop or Loop Playlist is enabled, check the source path, and test playback through a full cycle. |
| YouTube shows no incoming preview | OBS is not streaming, or the stream URL or key does not match the event | Check the selected YouTube event, server URL, and key; start OBS streaming and wait for the Live Control Room preview. |
| Music is interrupted or the image is replaced | YouTube detected third-party material or the rights holder has not allowlisted the channel | Use material cleared for livestreaming and contact the rights holder about any required Content ID allowlisting. |
| The PC stops broadcasting after being left unattended | Windows slept, power failed, the connection dropped, or OBS/media playback stopped | Review Windows power settings, power and network continuity, OBS reconnect behavior, and the audio source; test recovery rather than assuming it is automatic. |
Plan around YouTube’s 12-hour archive boundary
YouTube states: “All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived.” Its encoder guidance does not promise a complete archive for one stream longer than 12 hours. If retaining the show matters, use separate sessions shorter than 12 hours and/or make a local recording, then verify the resulting archive in your channel before relying on it. A 24/7 broadcast can continue as a live service, but do not assume one uninterrupted 24-hour event will produce a complete archive.
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