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To run a YouTube playlist from OBS, copy the stream URL and stream key from YouTube Studio into OBS > Settings > Stream, then use an OBS VLC Video Source with Loop Playlist enabled. OBS must remain open and connected for the broadcast to continue; looping the playlist does not restart OBS or your computer after a crash or power loss.
Before you start
- Install OBS and prepare the video files you want to play.
- For a multi-file playlist, install VLC as well. On 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC.
- Make sure your YouTube channel can go live and that your internet connection can reliably sustain the stream settings you choose.
- Treat the stream key like a password: anyone who has it may be able to broadcast to your channel.
YouTube’s menus and labels can change. The paths below follow its documented encoder workflow; check the current Studio interface if a label differs. See YouTube’s encoder setup guide and stream settings guide.
Get the YouTube stream URL and key
For an immediate stream
- In YouTube Studio, select Create > Go live.
- Open the Stream tab in Live Control Room.
- Find the stream URL and stream key. Copy both; YouTube provides them for your encoder connection.
For a scheduled stream
- In Live Control Room, open Manage > Schedule stream and configure the broadcast.
- Open the scheduled stream’s setup details and copy its stream URL and key.
A stream key is reusable unless you reset it. Keep it private, and do not paste it into public screenshots, chat, or documents. If it is exposed, reset it in Live Control Room and replace the saved key in OBS. YouTube says a channel owner or manager can reset a key.
Enter the key in OBS
- Open OBS and select Settings > Stream.
- If YouTube is available in the Service menu, select it. Otherwise, choose the custom service option and enter the YouTube stream URL as the server.
- Paste the copied value into Stream Key. Avoid adding spaces before or after it.
- Select Apply, then OK.
OBS saves the key for later sessions, so you normally do not need to copy it again unless you change or reset it. Do not share an OBS profile or settings export containing the key without removing the credential first.
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Make one video or a playlist repeat
One video
- In the scene where the video should play, select + in the Sources panel and choose Media Source.
- Create or select a source, choose the video file, and enable Loop in the source properties.
- Check the scene preview to confirm the picture is visible and correctly framed.
This is the simpler choice when you only need one asset to repeat.
Multiple videos with VLC Video Source
- Select + in the Sources panel and choose VLC Video Source.
- Create or select the source, then add the video files to its playlist in the order you want them played.
- Enable Loop Playlist and check the preview.
The VLC source requires VLC to be installed. OBS documentation lists Stop when not visible, restart when visible as the VLC source’s default visibility behavior. If you switch scenes, confirm that the source remains visible or adjust its behavior so the playlist does not stop unexpectedly. See OBS’s Media Sources documentation.
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Choose stream settings that your connection can sustain
Set output resolution and frame rate in OBS to suit the content and your stable upload capacity. YouTube does not recommend one bitrate for every stream: its current recommendations vary by resolution and frame rate, so consult the YouTube encoder settings and bitrate table rather than treating a single number as universal.
- For RTMP or RTMPS, YouTube’s encoder guidance specifies H.264 video, constant bitrate (CBR), and a two-second keyframe interval; do not exceed four seconds.
- For audio, YouTube lists AAC or MP3 as supported encoder codecs.
- YouTube recommends RTMPS, which encrypts the feed to and through Google’s servers.
- Choose a latency setting based on how much audience interaction matters. Lower latency can increase playback buffering.
- Use a reliable upload connection with headroom; a bitrate that fluctuates around your connection’s maximum can lead to dropped frames or an unhealthy stream.
These are YouTube encoder recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular home connection will hold a given quality. For setup and connection advice, see YouTube’s streaming tips.
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Start the broadcast and confirm it is live
- In OBS, select Start Streaming.
- Return to YouTube Live Control Room and wait for the encoder preview to appear. Check picture, audio, and stream health.
- For a scheduled stream, select Go live in YouTube after the preview appears, unless auto-start is configured. An OBS connection alone may not publish the scheduled broadcast.
- Watch the broadcast from a separate device or browser session if possible, and verify that the playlist advances and returns to the beginning as expected.
Test the full workflow before relying on it for a long broadcast. YouTube advises testing and monitoring the stream rather than assuming a successful encoder connection means the audience is receiving healthy video.
Copyright, reused content, and long broadcasts
Looping a file does not grant the right to stream it. Use material you created, licensed, or otherwise have permission to broadcast, including music, visuals, and any embedded third-party clips. YouTube’s copyright processes may affect a live stream even if the video plays correctly in OBS. Review the copyright safety checklist before scheduling a long playlist.
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Permission to use content and eligibility for monetization are separate questions. Repeating content does not by itself establish that a channel meets YouTube’s monetization policies for originality or reused content; check the current policy that applies to your channel and content.
YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement does not establish an archive guarantee for an uninterrupted stream lasting 12 hours or more. If retaining an archive matters, plan to end or segment the broadcast and test that workflow in advance. The threshold is stated in YouTube’s encoder stream guidance.
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Troubleshoot common problems
OBS connects, but YouTube does not show a preview
- Check that OBS uses the matching stream URL and key for the intended broadcast.
- Confirm the encoder is actually streaming and that the connection is not being blocked or interrupted.
- Allow time for the preview to load, then check YouTube’s stream health messages.
The preview appears, but the scheduled broadcast is not public
In Live Control Room, select Go live after the preview appears unless auto-start is enabled. The scheduled workflow can require this separate action.
YouTube rejects the key or OBS cannot connect
- Copy the current key again from the correct stream’s Live Control Room details and check for accidental spaces.
- If the key was reset, update it in OBS > Settings > Stream.
- Verify the server URL and key belong to the same YouTube stream.
The video does not loop or stops after a scene change
- For a single file, confirm Loop is enabled in Media Source properties.
- For a playlist, confirm you used VLC Video Source and enabled Loop Playlist.
- Confirm VLC is installed and matches OBS’s architecture. Review the source’s visibility behavior if you switch scenes.
The stream buffers, drops frames, or reports poor health
Reduce the output bitrate or resolution to a level your upload connection can sustain, check the network for competing traffic, and consult YouTube’s bitrate table for the chosen resolution and frame rate. Re-test before depending on the setup.
The stream stops after the computer sleeps, loses power, or OBS closes
An OBS playlist only controls media playback; it does not keep OBS or the computer running and does not provide automatic recovery after a crash or power loss. Prevent sleep and maintain the computer and connection for a do-it-yourself setup, or use a cloud service designed to keep the YouTube stream running.
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home. It supports any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card; one free day is available per account. The monthly option is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free day.
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