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To loop local lecture files on YouTube, add them to an OBS VLC Video Source, turn on Loop Playlist, then connect OBS to YouTube Studio with your stream URL and key. The computer running OBS, the files and a working internet connection must remain available for the broadcast to continue.
Before you start
- OBS Studio installed on the computer that will run the broadcast.
- VLC Media Player installed as well: OBS needs VLC for the VLC Video Source to appear. If you use 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. See the OBS media sources documentation.
- Your lecture video files stored locally in a folder that will remain available. Confirm that you have the rights needed to stream every file.
- A YouTube channel eligible to livestream. YouTube says the channel must be verified and must not have had a live-streaming restriction in the preceding 90 days; its getting-started guidance says streamers must be at least 16. Check YouTube’s live-streaming tips and getting-started guidance for current requirements.
Set up the lecture playlist in OBS
- Open OBS and create a scene. In the Scenes panel, add a scene for the lecture broadcast. In Sources, click + and choose VLC Video Source. If it is missing, check that VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS.
- Name the source and add the files. In the source properties, add the lecture files to the playlist in the order you want them played. Use the playlist controls to arrange the sequence. Leave shuffle off when lessons need to stay in a fixed order.
- Enable looping. Turn on Loop Playlist. OBS will begin the playlist again after it reaches the end. The VLC source and its playlist options are documented by the OBS Project.
- Set playback behavior for scene changes. If your broadcast uses only this scene, you may not need to change the visibility behavior. If you switch scenes, choose whether the source should stop and restart, pause and unpause, or always play, according to how you want the lectures to behave. Check the source properties before going live so a scene change does not unexpectedly interrupt playback.
- Check the picture and sound. Play the source in OBS and confirm the video is visible and the audio meter responds. Watch a transition between two files and the end-to-beginning loop. Fix missing media paths, silent files, or unintended black frames before connecting to YouTube.
For a single lecture file rather than a multi-file playlist, add an OBS Media Source and enable its Loop option. For several local files in sequence, use the VLC Video Source.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Create or schedule an encoder stream. In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, then configure a stream. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions describe creating or scheduling a stream and connecting an encoder.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key. In the YouTube stream settings, copy both values. Treat the stream key like a password: anyone who has it could send a feed to your stream. If it is exposed, reset it in YouTube’s stream settings. See Manage live stream settings.
- Enter the credentials in OBS. Open Settings → Stream, choose YouTube as the service, and enter the server/stream URL and stream key if using the custom configuration. YouTube’s current interface may offer a direct account connection; follow the fields shown for the connection method you choose. Keep the key private.
- Start the encoder and inspect the preview. Click Start Streaming in OBS. In YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room, wait for the incoming preview and check picture, audio and stream health. For a scheduled stream, click Go live in Live Control Room when the preview is ready.
- Monitor the broadcast. Check that the playlist advances and loops as expected, and keep an eye on YouTube’s stream health. YouTube recommends testing with a representative feed and setting up the encoder in advance; see its live-streaming tips.
Choose stream quality and test before the 24/7 run
OBS output settings and YouTube’s encoder recommendations depend on the resolution and frame rate you choose. Use YouTube’s current encoder settings, bitrates and resolutions guidance rather than guessing a bitrate. Keep the output within your connection’s reliable upload capacity, and test with video and audio similar to the actual lectures.
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- Play a representative lecture long enough to check that audio and video remain in sync.
- Test a playlist transition and the loop from the final file back to the first.
- Confirm OBS is reading files from their stable location and that no sleep, restart or power setting will stop the computer during the broadcast.
- Review YouTube’s preview and stream health before inviting viewers or relying on the stream.
Important YouTube limits: archives, DVR and rights
Do not rely on YouTube’s archive for a full 24/7 recording
YouTube says streams under 12 hours can be automatically archived, while streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured at all. Keep your own local recording if you need a dependable copy of the lectures or broadcast; YouTube recommends recording a local archive. See Archive live streams.
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Viewers cannot rewind before the stream began
When DVR is enabled, viewers may pause and rewind within the live stream, but YouTube says DVR can be limited or unavailable for streams longer than 12 hours. Viewers also cannot seek to a point before the broadcast started. Details are in Turn on DVR on live streams.
Confirm streaming rights for every lecture
YouTube scans live broadcasts for third-party content. A match can result in a placeholder image, interruption or termination. Even if you have a licence, a stream can be interrupted if the rights owner has not allowlisted your channel through Content ID. Check YouTube’s copyright guidance for live streams and secure the required permissions before broadcasting.
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Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or do |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video Source is not available in OBS | VLC is missing, or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. Restart OBS and check Sources again. |
| The playlist stops after one pass | Loop Playlist is not enabled. | Open the VLC Video Source properties and enable Loop Playlist. |
| One or more lectures do not play | A file path is unavailable or a media file cannot be read. | Check that each file is still in its listed location, remove or replace unavailable entries, then test the full playlist. |
| Playback changes or stops when switching scenes | The source’s visibility behavior is set to stop, restart or pause on hiding. | Choose the appropriate stop/restart, pause/unpause or always-play behavior in the source properties. |
| YouTube does not show an incoming preview | OBS may not be streaming, or the URL/key may be incorrect. | Check OBS’s stream status and YouTube’s stream settings; re-enter the correct stream URL and key. Reset a compromised key in YouTube Studio. |
| Broadcast is interrupted after it starts | Possible causes include connection or encoder problems, or a Content ID match. | Review YouTube’s stream health and alerts in Live Control Room. Check the feed and rights for the material; a licence may not prevent interruption if the channel is not allowlisted by the rights owner. |
| The YouTube replay is incomplete or missing | A continuous stream exceeded YouTube’s 12-hour archive threshold. | Keep a local recording rather than treating the YouTube archive as a complete record of a 24/7 broadcast. |
Local OBS or a cloud service?
OBS gives you direct control of scenes and playlist order, but it is a local encoder workflow: the computer, source files and connection must remain available for the stream to continue. A self-managed VPS with ffmpeg is another approach, but it requires a separate command-line and server-management workflow. A managed cloud service avoids running playback on your own computer; compare playlist editing, recovery, operating effort, current cost and rights obligations before choosing. StreamNeo’s overview of three ways to loop a video on YouTube Live is provider-authored information, not an independent service review.
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StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload the lecture recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Playback continues from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home; it streams your upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and can automatically recover if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card.
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A slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, 24/7 looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops, and support from the StreamNeo team. The same features apply to every plan; only the billing period changes. The monthly option is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for current details, then start your free first day.
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