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In OBS, use Replay Buffer to save recent footage locally; use a Media Source with Loop for one repeating video, or a VLC Video source with Loop Playlist for a repeating list. These are separate settings. YouTube DVR is a viewer rewind feature, not an OBS playlist control, and it may be limited or unavailable on streams longer than 12 hours.
Choose the right setting for what you mean by “replay”
| What you want | Use | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Save recent footage on the computer running OBS | OBS Replay Buffer | Keeps recent footage available to save locally; configure a hotkey to save it. |
| Repeat one uploaded or local video in the broadcast | OBS Media Source with Loop | Plays the file again after it finishes. |
| Repeat several videos in the broadcast | OBS VLC Video source with Loop Playlist | Restarts the playlist after the final item; shuffle is a separate option. |
| Let viewers pause or rewind the live broadcast | YouTube DVR | A viewer playback feature; availability may be limited for very long streams. |
The settings that feed media into OBS determine what goes out in the live broadcast. YouTube’s video and playlist repeat controls instead affect playback for someone watching YouTube; they do not configure OBS.
Set up Replay Buffer to save recent footage
Replay Buffer is a local capture feature, not a way to loop media or keep YouTube live. OBS’s overview guide describes enabling the buffer in recording output settings and separately assigning a save hotkey under Hotkeys. See the OBS streaming and recording guide.
- In OBS, open the recording output settings and enable Replay Buffer.
- Open Settings → Hotkeys and assign a key to save the Replay Buffer. OBS lists Start/Stop/Save Replay Buffer among the available hotkey actions.
- Start the buffer, then use the save hotkey when you want to preserve the recent footage.
The OBS guide does not establish a universal buffer duration, memory limit, or storage formula. Choose settings for your installed OBS version and the computer’s available resources; do not assume clips save automatically unless you have configured and triggered the save action.
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Loop one video with Media Source
- In the Sources panel, add a Media Source and select the video file.
- Enable Loop in that source’s properties.
- Confirm the source is visible in the scene used for the broadcast, then check that playback starts again when the file reaches its end.
OBS documents Media Source Loop as repeating the file after playback completes. This is the simpler choice when the broadcast should cycle through one file rather than a list. See OBS media sources.
Loop a playlist with VLC Video
For multiple files, add a VLC Video source and choose the media files or playlist. OBS documents Loop Playlist as on by default and Shuffle Playlist as off by default; change shuffle according to whether you want a fixed sequence or randomized playback.
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- Install VLC if it is not already available. The OBS VLC Video source requires VLC, and 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC.
- Add a VLC Video source and populate its playlist with the files you want to play.
- Check Loop Playlist. Leave it enabled to restart at the end of the list.
- Choose whether to enable Shuffle Playlist. With shuffle off, files follow the listed order; with it on, playback order is randomized.
- Review the source’s visibility behavior. OBS lists “Stop when not visible, restart when visible” as the default behavior; adjust it if your scene changes could hide the source and interrupt playback.
Use this source when the stream needs to cycle through several videos. Its playlist and visibility controls are independent of Replay Buffer, which is for saving recent local footage.
Start OBS with the stream or Replay Buffer
OBS documents the launch parameters --startreplaybuffer and --startstreaming for starting those functions when OBS launches. For a scheduled or automated launch, OBS says to set the working directory to the folder containing OBS; on Windows, this is the “Start in” field for the shortcut or scheduled task. See OBS launch parameters.
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These options can simplify startup, but they do not promise that OBS will remain running, restart after a crash, or recover every YouTube event interruption. The available OBS guidance does not establish the current YouTube Studio steps for scheduling or operating a continuous event, so check YouTube’s current controls for your own broadcast rather than relying on launch flags to configure the event.
What viewers can rewind on a long live stream
YouTube DVR lets viewers pause and rewind during a live stream. YouTube warns that DVR capabilities may be limited or unavailable when a stream exceeds 12 hours. That matters for an always-on broadcast: do not promise viewers a complete rewind window or assume a long live stream behaves like an ordinary archived video. See YouTube Help: Turn on DVR on live streams.
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YouTube’s repeat controls for videos and playlists are viewer-side playback controls. For a broadcast that cycles through files from your computer, configure the Media Source or VLC Video source in OBS instead. YouTube’s instructions for viewer playback are at YouTube Help: Loop videos or playlists on YouTube.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common playback and replay problems
- The video does not repeat: For one file, check the Media Source’s Loop option. For multiple files, check Loop Playlist in the VLC Video source.
- The VLC Video source is missing or unavailable: Install VLC and match its architecture to OBS. In particular, 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC.
- The playlist stops after changing scenes: Review the VLC source’s visibility behavior. The documented default stops playback when the source is hidden and restarts it when visible.
- A replay clip was not saved: Confirm Replay Buffer is enabled and running, and that a save hotkey is assigned and was pressed. Enabling the buffer and setting the hotkey are separate steps.
- Viewers cannot rewind far back: YouTube DVR may be limited or unavailable on a stream longer than 12 hours; a looping OBS source does not change that viewer-side limitation.
- OBS starts but the broadcast does not recover after a failure: The launch parameters start OBS functions; they are not a guarantee of persistent uptime or automatic recovery. Check OBS and YouTube’s current state and restore the broadcast as needed.
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