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Schedule the event in YouTube Studio, then use OBS to send your recording when it is time to go live. These are separate steps: scheduling a YouTube event does not, by itself, schedule OBS playback to start. Also, an “OBS playlist” is a playback queue, while a YouTube playlist is for organizing published videos; this guide covers both.

What you need to schedule a replay

  • A recorded video file, or a set of files to play in sequence.
  • OBS installed and configured as the encoder that sends video and audio to YouTube.
  • A scheduled live event in YouTube Studio and its stream connection details.
  • Enough local disk space if you also plan to record a backup.

Use a Media Source in OBS for one recording. For an ordered sequence, use the VLC Video source; VLC must be installed for that source to be available. OBS’s documented playback controls include looping, but the reviewed documentation does not establish an end-to-end scheduler that starts OBS playback and launches the YouTube event automatically.

Schedule the YouTube Live event

Create the event

  1. In YouTube Studio, choose Create → Go Live → Manage, then schedule a stream. YouTube’s interface wording can change.
  2. Enter the event title, date and time, audience setting, visibility, and other requested details.
  3. Save the scheduled event. Viewers can find the upcoming event and opt in to reminders.
  4. Open the event in Live Control Room and locate the encoder connection details. Treat the stream key like a password: do not show it in screen captures or share it.

Prepare recorded playback in OBS

For one recording

  1. Create or select the OBS scene you intend to use for the event.
  2. Add a Media Source and choose the recorded file. OBS documents common video formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, plus audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV; compatibility can depend on the file and system.
  3. Set the source’s playback behavior as needed. Enable looping only if you want the recording to repeat while the broadcast remains live.
  4. Check that the source is visible in the scene and that its audio reaches the intended OBS audio output.

For a sequence of recordings

  1. Confirm VLC is installed; otherwise, the VLC Video source may not appear in OBS.
  2. Add a VLC Video source and add the media items in the order you want them to play.
  3. Check the playlist order and choose whether the list should loop or shuffle. Use ordered playback when the event has a defined programme.
  4. Preview transitions between files. Decide whether the next item should follow the previous one directly or whether you need a scene or other transition between segments.

A playlist inside OBS controls playback during the broadcast. It does not create or organize a YouTube playlist.

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Connect OBS to the scheduled event

  1. In OBS, open Settings → Stream and configure the YouTube connection. Depending on the connection method shown, sign in through the available service integration or enter the stream URL and stream key from YouTube Live Control Room.
  2. Verify that the correct scheduled event is selected or that the stream details correspond to that event. Do not expose the stream key while sharing your desktop.
  3. Preview the OBS scene and listen to the audio before the event. Confirm the recording starts where expected and that the sequence advances as intended.

Start the event at the scheduled time

  1. YouTube Help recommends setting up an encoder event at least two hours ahead and starting the encoder at least 15 minutes before the event. These are operational recommendations, not guarantees or mandatory platform timers.
  2. At the planned start, start streaming from OBS so it sends the recording feed.
  3. Wait for the incoming video to appear in YouTube Live Control Room and check the preview and audio.
  4. When ready, click Go live in Live Control Room. The documented sequence includes this operator step; the reviewed guidance does not establish that scheduling the event also triggers OBS playback and takes the event live automatically.

End the stream and organize the replay

Keep a backup

YouTube Help says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, and recommends recording a local archive as a backup. OBS can record to a selected path. Choose a location with enough free space for the recording; the needed capacity depends on the file and recording settings, and no universal storage size is specified here.

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Make a YouTube playlist

After the live archive is available, add it to a YouTube playlist if you want viewers to find it alongside other event replays. This is separate from the VLC playback queue used during the broadcast.

Copyright and replay considerations

Before streaming a recording, make sure you have the rights needed for its video, music, and other included material. A live broadcast or later archive does not make material you lack permission to use safe to rebroadcast. YouTube’s copyright and monetization outcomes depend on the content and applicable platform rules; do not assume that labeling something a replay or placing it in a playlist resolves those issues.

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Troubleshooting

Symptom Likely cause What to check
The VLC Video source is missing VLC may not be installed. Install VLC, then reopen or refresh OBS and check the source list.
The event is scheduled but no video arrives OBS has not started sending, or the event connection details do not match. Start streaming in OBS and verify the stream URL/key and selected scheduled event in Live Control Room.
The preview arrives but the event is not public/live The encoder feed is connected, but the event has not been taken live. Check the Live Control Room preview, then use its Go live control when ready.
A file does not play or the playlist stops early The file may be incompatible, unavailable at its selected location, or the playlist behavior may not match the intended sequence. Test each item in OBS before the event, confirm file paths, and verify playlist order and loop/shuffle settings.
The live archive is missing or incomplete Automatic archiving should not be treated as the only copy of an important event. Check the channel’s video list and retain the local OBS recording as a backup.

Or let it run in the cloud

If the goal is to keep a pre-recorded YouTube stream running without leaving a computer on, StreamNeo is an alternative: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. It loops uploaded videos from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Every slot streams the files as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it also includes automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams of uploaded videos, not camera broadcasting. See StreamNeo, then start the free first day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can a scheduled YouTube event send reminders to viewers?

Yes. Viewers can find the upcoming scheduled event and opt in to reminders.

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Does an OBS playback playlist become a YouTube playlist automatically?

No. OBS’s playlist is for media playback during the broadcast; a YouTube playlist organizes published videos.

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