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Before updating a PC that runs a 24/7 YouTube stream, export the active OBS Profile and Scene Collection separately, copy both exports off the PC, and preserve any media or plugin data they depend on. The Profile holds stream, video, and output settings; the Scene Collection holds scenes and sources. Neither export replaces the other.
What to save before updating OBS
| Backup | What it contains | What it does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Stream settings, including the connected account; video settings such as base/canvas resolution; and output settings. OBS describes Profile export as a way to back up settings or use them in another OBS installation. OBS: Profiles | Scenes and sources. |
| Scene Collection | Scenes and sources, including Global Audio Sources configured in Settings → Audio. OBS: Scene Collections | Output settings. |
| Linked and plugin data | Files and configurations your setup references, such as images, videos, audio, local browser-source assets, scripts, and plugin-specific settings, as applicable. | These are not guaranteed to be included in the Profile or Scene Collection exports. OBS notes that Portable Mode does not automatically package linked scene media. OBS: Running in Portable Mode |
Export the Profile and Scene Collection
- Record what is active. In OBS, note the selected Profile and Scene Collection. If you use multiple configurations for different streams or operating modes, identify each one you need to preserve.
- Export each Profile. Open the Profile menu, choose Import/Export, then export the Profile settings to a JSON file. Give each file a clear name that identifies the profile.
- Export each Scene Collection separately. Open the Scene Collection menu and export the active collection. Repeat for any other collection you need. Label each export so you can match it to the intended Profile.
- Copy the exports off the streaming PC. Confirm that the files exist at the destination. An external SSD or USB drive is one practical option; for a business-critical stream, consider keeping another copy in a separate location.
- Back up referenced assets and relevant settings. Copy the local media, graphics, overlays, and other files used by sources. Preserve scripts and plugin-specific configuration where needed, and note any source paths that may need to be restored.
OBS documents the in-app Profile and Scene Collection exports as separate configuration backups. A manual copy of the Windows configuration folder, %APPDATA%obs-studio, is mentioned in a 2021 OBS forum moderator reply, but it is a secondary fallback rather than a substitute for the documented exports. OBS Project Forums: Save Settings
Plan the update around the broadcast
OBS documentation does not promise a no-downtime update process. For a 24/7 channel, choose a maintenance window and stop the broadcast cleanly before installing updates. If uninterrupted viewing is essential, arrange the transition with your audience or another responsible operator rather than assuming a local update can happen without interruption.
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Check OBS before putting the stream back online
- Open OBS after the update and confirm the intended Profile and Scene Collection are selected.
- Inspect critical scenes and sources. Check that referenced files load and that audio meters respond as expected.
- Review the stream destination or connected account, video settings, and output settings before going live.
- When available, run a private or unlisted test and verify the picture, audio, and stream behavior before resuming the normal broadcast.
- Keep the exports until the updated setup has been checked during a normal stream cycle.
When Portable Mode helps—and what it does not do
On Windows, OBS Portable Mode keeps configuration in the application directory and can support relocation or separate OBS instances. It requires the ZIP version. It does not automatically make linked scene media portable, so paths may still need adjustment. Do not treat Portable Mode as a backup of all assets or plugin-specific configuration. OBS: Running in Portable Mode
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If OBS does not start normally after the update
OBS documents the --safe-mode launch option as a way to disable third-party plugins, scripts, and websockets for troubleshooting. Because this changes the runtime environment, it is not a normal streaming configuration; use it to investigate a startup problem, then return to the required setup before broadcasting. OBS also documents --disable-updater for Windows and macOS when an operator needs to disable the built-in updater. OBS: Launch Parameters
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