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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo play a playlist of local video files on YouTube Live, add OBS’s VLC Video Source to a scene, add your files to its playlist, configure looping, and connect OBS to the stream details supplied by YouTube Studio. VLC must be installed on the computer running OBS, and its architecture must match: 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
One important distinction: this documented setup plays media available to your computer through VLC in OBS. It does not establish that pasting an existing YouTube-hosted playlist URL into the source will work. OBS’s Media Sources guide documents VLC playlists, but the reviewed documentation does not confirm direct YouTube playlist compatibility.
What you need before setting up the playlist
- OBS Studio installed on the computer that will run the broadcast.
- VLC installed on that same computer. If OBS is 64-bit, install 64-bit VLC; otherwise the VLC Video Source may not appear in OBS’s source list. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
- The video files you want to play, accessible to the computer. OBS’s VLC source is intended for multiple media items; the simpler Media Source is for a single file.
- A YouTube Live broadcast and the connection details YouTube provides for OBS.
The OBS controls and documented defaults below are described in the OBS Project’s Media Sources guide, published January 11, 2022 and accessed October 3, 2026. The exact appearance of controls can vary by OBS version.
Add a VLC Video Source and build the playlist
- Select the scene. In OBS, choose the scene where the videos should appear.
- Add the source. In the Sources dock, click + and choose VLC Video Source. If it is missing, check that VLC is installed and its architecture matches OBS.
- Name the source. Give it a recognizable name if OBS prompts you, then open its properties.
- Add media items. Use the playlist’s add control to select the local files you want to play. The OBS source is designed to play multiple media items; an older 2022 reference manual describes items playing in insertion order. Its guidance may not exactly match current UI labels.
- Set the playback order. Keep Shuffle Playlist off for a fixed sequence; turn it on to randomize playback. OBS documents shuffle as off by default.
- Enable looping. Keep Loop Playlist enabled if the sequence should restart at the end. OBS documents looping as on by default.
The older University of Regina OBS Studio Reference Manual also describes adding directories or URLs. That does not establish that a YouTube-hosted playlist URL is supported as a playlist input; do not assume that a generic URL option guarantees compatibility.
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Choose what happens when the source is hidden
OBS’s Visibility Behaviour setting controls playback while the source is not visible in the scene. The documented default is to stop playback while hidden and restart when visible. The available behaviors also include pausing and resuming, or always playing.
- Stop when not visible, restart when visible: use when playback should begin again whenever the source is shown.
- Pause and resume: use when the playlist should continue from its previous position after being hidden.
- Always play: use when playback should continue even while the source is hidden.
OBS documents a 400 ms default for network caching. It is not necessary to change this value for a basic local-file playlist; a custom value is not universal advice and should be considered only for a specific playback problem.
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Fit the source into the OBS scene
After adding the source, select it in the preview and drag its bounding box to position or resize it. For precise dimensions and placement, use Edit Transform. OBS’s Sources Guide documents both approaches.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Prepare a YouTube Live broadcast. In YouTube Studio, create or select the broadcast and obtain the server and stream details YouTube provides. Interface labels and requirements can change; follow the current instructions displayed in your account.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. Configure OBS’s streaming connection with the server and stream key supplied by YouTube. Treat the key as a password: do not publish it or include it in a recording.
- Check the scene and sound before going live. Preview the scene, confirm that the playlist starts and that its audio is present at the intended level, then begin the broadcast from OBS when ready.
The general arrangement—OBS sends its output to YouTube Live using connection details obtained through YouTube Studio—is also described in this iTechGuides walkthrough. For current account-specific setup, use YouTube Studio’s on-screen instructions.
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Local playlist versus a YouTube-hosted playlist
| Workflow | What is established | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|
| Local media playlist in OBS | OBS documents VLC Video Source support for media playlists, including loop, shuffle, and visibility behavior. | Use this documented route when the media files are available to the computer running OBS. |
| Existing YouTube playlist URL as VLC input | The reviewed official OBS documentation does not confirm that a YouTube playlist URL can be consumed as a playlist. | Do not count on direct compatibility. Use a workflow verified for your current OBS and VLC versions rather than assuming the local-media instructions apply. |
Troubleshoot common setup problems
VLC Video Source is missing
OBS requires VLC for this source. Install VLC on the OBS computer and check architecture: 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC. Reopen OBS after correcting the installation and check the Sources add menu again.
The playlist stops at the end
Open the source properties and check Loop Playlist. It should be enabled for the playlist to restart after the final item.
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The order changes between plays
Check Shuffle Playlist. Turn it off if you want a fixed sequence.
Playback stops or restarts when switching scenes
Review Visibility Behaviour. The documented default stops the source while hidden and restarts it when visible. Choose pause/resume or always play if that better matches the intended scene behavior.
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A YouTube playlist URL does not load as expected
The documented VLC playlist workflow does not verify direct playback of a YouTube-hosted playlist URL. The supported path described here is to add media items available to the OBS computer; use a verified alternative for hosted playlists.
The source appears in the wrong place or size
Select it in the scene preview and drag its bounding box, or use Edit Transform for more precise positioning and sizing.
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