To use OBS scene playlists for a 24/7 YouTube stream, choose the right of two setups: add a VLC Video Source to loop multiple video files inside one scene, or use Advanced Scene Switcher to automate transitions between OBS scenes. OBS does not have a single built-in “scene playlist” control. This guide covers both approaches, connecting OBS to YouTube Live, and the checks that matter for an unattended broadcast.
Choose what you want to repeat
A media playlist and a scene rotation solve different problems. Use VLC Video Source if you want several local video or audio files to play in sequence within one scene. Use scene automation if you want OBS to switch between scenes—for example, from an opening card to a lecture video, then to a break screen. You can combine the approaches, but configure and test each part separately.
| Approach | Best for | What it does | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLC Video Source playlist | Repeating multiple media files in one scene | Plays multiple files, with loop and shuffle controls | VLC must be installed; it does not rotate scenes. |
| OBS Media Source | Repeating one media file | Plays a single file and has a Loop option | It is not the documented multi-item playlist option. |
| Advanced Scene Switcher | Moving among scenes automatically | Runs actions when configured conditions are met | Requires a compatible plugin release and macro setup. |
Loop multiple files in one OBS scene
- Create or select the scene. In OBS, use the Scenes panel to choose the scene that should display the playlist, or create a new scene.
- Add the playlist source. In Sources, select + and add VLC Video Source. Add the media files in the order you want them to play.
- Set the playback behavior. Turn on Loop Playlist to repeat the sequence. Keep Shuffle Playlist off for a fixed order; turn it on if randomized playback is intended.
- Check what happens when the source is hidden. The OBS reference describes stop/restart as the default visibility behavior. Decide whether the source should pause, continue, or stop when hidden, according to your scene design, and test what happens when you show it again.
- Install VLC if the source is missing. VLC must be installed for VLC Video Source to appear. Use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS.
This repeats files within the selected scene. To transition between different scenes, configure scene automation separately.
Automate transitions between OBS scenes
Advanced Scene Switcher adds macros made of conditions and actions. A condition determines when a macro runs; its action can switch to another scene. The OBS Project Forums listing describes the plugin as a way to automate tasks using macros.
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- Check compatibility before installing or updating. The release listing identifies Advanced Scene Switcher 1.36.1, dated August 7, 2026, with minimum OBS Studio 31.1.1, and lists Windows, macOS, and Linux. Confirm the requirements against your installed OBS build and the plugin release you plan to use.
- Back up your OBS configuration. Save a copy of your OBS profile and settings before changing automation.
- Define the sequence. For a timed rotation, configure a macro with a condition that a scene has been active for the chosen duration and an action that switches to the next scene. Create the corresponding transitions for each scene.
- Make the sequence return to its start. Add an explicit transition from the final scene to the first, or use a recurring trigger that reliably restarts the sequence. Without a return step, the rotation may stop at the last scene.
- Use media-driven conditions only after testing. If transitions should follow media playback, choose an appropriate media condition and test how it behaves with the source you are using.
Do not assume that a standard OBS button called “scene playlist” handles this. VLC Video Source manages a media playlist; Advanced Scene Switcher supplies scene automation.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- In YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, then open the Stream tab. Create a stream if needed.
- In YouTube’s stream settings, find the YouTube Live server URL and stream key. In OBS, open Settings → Stream, choose YouTube as the service, and enter or connect the supplied server and key according to the options shown in your OBS version.
- Confirm that OBS is connected to the intended YouTube stream and check its visibility settings in YouTube Studio before starting the encoder.
- Start streaming from OBS and confirm that the feed appears in YouTube’s Live Control Room.
YouTube says prior stream settings, including the stream key, may load again in a later session. Still verify the selected stream before going live; an old key or destination may point OBS at a different broadcast than intended.
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Plan for an unattended, continuous broadcast
Test the entire loop
- Preview every file and scene transition, including the final return to the first item or scene.
- Check for unintended black frames, silent sections, missing media, and audio-level changes at transitions.
- Hide and show sources and scenes to confirm that playback resumes, continues, or restarts as you intended.
- Test the complete automation cycle before the first broadcast. OBS recommends testing scenes and stream operation before going live.
Do not rely on a 24-hour stream archive
YouTube’s encoder documentation says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. It does not promise automatic archiving at or beyond 12 hours, so that statement is not a guarantee for a 24/7 broadcast. If you need a recording, plan separate local recording and a deliberate restart or segmentation policy, then check YouTube’s current behavior.
Observe YouTube’s simultaneous-stream limits
YouTube Help lists limits of 10 active streams per channel and 3 active streams per stream key. The limits apply simultaneously and are YouTube limits, not restrictions on how many scenes a playlist can contain. These published figures were checked October 3, 2026.
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Use material you have the right to stream
Confirm that you have rights to all video, music, and other material in the rotation, and follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. Repeating content does not remove copyright obligations. Keep records of permissions or licenses where relevant.
Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video Source is not available in Sources | VLC is not installed, or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC, then reopen OBS. |
| The playlist stops after one pass | Loop Playlist is off. | Open the VLC Video Source properties and enable Loop Playlist. |
| Files play in an unexpected order | Shuffle Playlist is enabled, or the items were added in a different order. | Turn shuffle off for a fixed sequence and verify the playlist order. |
| A source starts over after being hidden | The visibility behavior is set to stop and restart. | Review the source’s visibility behavior and test the required pause/continue/restart behavior. |
| Scene rotation stops on the final scene | No transition returns to the first scene, or the recurring trigger is incomplete. | Add and test an explicit final-to-first transition or a dependable recurring trigger. |
| The plugin does not load or behave as expected | OBS and plugin requirements may not match, or macro conditions/actions are incomplete. | Check the installed OBS version against the plugin release requirements, restore the saved configuration if needed, and test macros one at a time. |
| YouTube receives the wrong stream or no stream | The selected stream, server URL, or key may be incorrect. | Verify the destination and credentials in YouTube Studio and OBS before starting. |
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Quick Recap
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