To broadcast prerecorded gameplay as a YouTube live stream, create or schedule a stream in YouTube Studio, copy its stream URL and key into encoder software, and use that software to play the video file. Start the encoder, check the incoming feed in YouTube’s Live Control Room, then select Go live. YouTube creates the live event; the encoder supplies the prerecorded video.
Before you start: check live-stream eligibility
YouTube says a channel must be verified and must not have had live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days. You must be at least 16 to livestream. Check eligibility before setting up an event; YouTube’s rules and interface labels can change. YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility requirements
Create or schedule the YouTube stream
- Open YouTube Studio. Select Create → Go live.
- Choose when to broadcast. Use the Stream tab to set up an immediate stream, or go to Manage → Schedule stream to create a future event.
- Enter the event details. Add the title, visibility, and other requested information. For a scheduled event, confirm that you are configuring the intended stream before connecting the encoder.
- Open its Live Control Room settings. Find the stream URL and stream key associated with this stream. YouTube’s encoder workflow is described in Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
A scheduled stream creates the YouTube event; it does not itself select or play a video file. That playback is handled by your encoder software.
Enter the URL and key in your encoder
- Open the encoder’s stream settings. If it offers YouTube as a service, select it. Otherwise, paste YouTube’s stream URL into the server or URL field.
- Paste the matching stream key. The URL and key must belong to the same YouTube stream. YouTube characterizes stream keys as password-like credentials; do not show yours in a public screenshot, tutorial, or chat. See Manage live stream settings.
- Select the prerecorded gameplay. In the encoder, choose the video file through its media or playback controls. If you need a playlist, looping, or scheduled playback, check that encoder’s documentation: controls and behavior differ by software, and YouTube’s stream setup does not provide universal file-playback controls.
- Save the settings and confirm the selected event. Before sending video, verify that the encoder is pointed at the YouTube stream you just created or scheduled.
Start the feed and go live
- Start the encoder. It sends the selected video and audio to YouTube.
- Wait for the Live Control Room preview. Confirm that the intended gameplay and audio are coming through, and check the title and visibility.
- Select Go live in YouTube when ready. Starting the encoder sends a feed; the preview lets you inspect it before making the event live.
YouTube recommends setting up in advance, starting the encoder at least 15 minutes before a scheduled event, and checking the preview and audio/video quality. It also recommends upload bandwidth with about 20% headroom above the stream’s total bitrate. These are YouTube’s published recommendations; the page does not state a publication date. See YouTube’s live-streaming tips.
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Choose an ingest protocol when your encoder supports options
RTMP is the ordinary encoder workflow in YouTube’s general instructions. HLS is an option for compatible encoders and certain use cases, including HDR or codecs not supported by RTMP. HLS has higher latency because it sends segments rather than a continuous stream, and requires specific segment and playlist settings. It is not a general quality upgrade; use it only when your encoder and stream requirements call for it. YouTube’s HLS ingest instructions
Protect, reuse, or reset your stream key
Treat the key like a password: anyone with access may be able to send a feed to your stream. YouTube allows a custom key to be reused, and stream settings can also be reused. If the key may have been exposed, a channel owner or manager can reset it in the Live Control Room. Then replace the old key in the encoder; the old value will no longer be the one to use. YouTube’s stream-key and live-stream settings guidance
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Troubleshoot connection and playback problems
- No incoming feed: Confirm that the encoder is running, the correct stream is selected, and the stream URL and key match. If you reset the key, update it in the encoder.
- The event is not available to go live: Check that the channel meets YouTube’s live-stream eligibility requirements and that you are in the intended event in Live Control Room.
- Preview shows the wrong content or no audio: Check the file selected in the encoder, its playback state, and the encoder’s audio/video input settings before going live.
- Feed drops or becomes unstable: Test the actual upload connection and check whether it has the bandwidth headroom YouTube recommends. A network interruption can break the stream; the exact recovery controls depend on the encoder.
- Encoder-specific controls are missing: Consult that encoder’s documentation for file selection, playlist, looping, and scheduling behavior. YouTube’s connection instructions do not define a single set of controls for third-party software.
End the stream and check the archive
When finished, end the stream in YouTube and stop the encoder from sending content. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; its encoder instructions do not promise automatic archiving for streams that run longer. YouTube’s encoder instructions
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