A Windows restart stops OBS and interrupts its YouTube stream because the encoder runs on your PC. Before going live, check for a pending restart, set Windows active hours to cover the broadcast, and schedule updates for afterward. For a one-off event, you can temporarily pause updates. OBS’s automatic reconnect may help with some connection drops, but it cannot keep streaming through a PC reboot.
How to stop Windows from restarting while you’re streaming
- Check for a pending restart. In Windows 11, open Settings → Windows Update. If Windows says a restart is required, schedule it for after the broadcast rather than starting the stream with a restart already pending.
- Set active hours for the whole broadcast. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Active hours and choose hours that cover the expected stream from setup through wrap-up. Active hours tell Windows when the device is in use and reduce the chance of an automatic post-update restart during that period. They do not prevent updates or block every restart scenario.
- For a high-stakes, one-time event, pause updates temporarily. Use the pause control in Windows Update settings, then resume updates and install them after the event. The pause is a postponement, not a permanent shutoff; Microsoft currently documents a maximum pause of up to 35 days, and the exact interface depends on Windows version. Do not treat that maximum as a recommended delay for security updates.
- Test before the stream. Confirm OBS is sending video and audio, then check YouTube Live Control Room for stream health and messages. YouTube recommends testing before going live and monitoring stream health during the broadcast.
Active hours are a recurring scheduling control; a pause is a temporary measure for a specific event. Neither is a guarantee against restarts in every situation. Managed devices, organizational policies, update deadlines, and Windows-version behavior can affect what happens. If your PC is managed by work or school, ask its administrator rather than changing policy or registry settings yourself.
Microsoft lists 8 AM to 5 PM as the default active-hours period in its device-restart guidance; users can change it. Later Windows versions allow an active-hours range of up to 18 hours, while Windows 10 version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 support 12 hours. Those limits are version-specific, so check the settings available on your device.
Will OBS reconnect after my PC restarts?
No. OBS automatic reconnect can retry an output connection while OBS remains running, if that output supports reconnect. A Windows reboot closes OBS and stops the encoder, so it cannot send frames during startup. Reconnect is for supported connection interruptions, not recovery through a system restart.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- 425VA/260W Standby Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Uses simulated sine wave output to provide battery backup power and to safeguard home office, home entertainment including computers, gaming consoles, and broadband routers
- 8 NEMA 5-15R OUTLETS: Four battery backup & surge protected outlets; Four surge protected outlets; INPUT: NEMA 5-15P right angle, 45 degree offset plug with five foot power cord
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES: LED status light indicates Power-On and Wiring Fault, transformer-spaced outlets
- GREENPOWER UPS HIGH EFFICIENCY DESIGN: Reduces power consumption by utilizing a compact charger and power inverter to create an ultra-efficient backup power system for home and office use
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY – INCLUDING THE BATTERY; 75K USD Connected Equipment Guarantee; UL SAFETY CERTIFIED: Product has been tested in a UL certified lab and listed with UL as meeting or exceeding safety standards
Check OBS automatic reconnect
In OBS, open Settings → Advanced → Automatically Reconnect. Exact labels can vary by OBS release. Set a retry delay and retry limit appropriate to your connection. This can help with brief output disconnections, but it does not remove the need to restart the encoder after Windows restarts.
If the issue is dropped frames or an unstable connection rather than a reboot, OBS recommends investigating connection stability, bitrate, dropped frames, and the route to the ingest server. YouTube’s stream health messages can help distinguish an encoder connection issue from a PC restart.
Rank #2
- 1500VA/1000W PFC Sinewave Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Uses sine wave output to provide battery backup power for Active PFC & conventional power supplies; Safeguards computers, workstations, network devices, and telecom equipment
- 12 NEMA 5-15R OUTLETS: 6 battery backup & surge protected outlets, 6 surge protected outlets; INPUT: NEMA 5-15P right angle, 45 degree offset plug with 5 foot power cord; 2 USB charge ports (1 Type-A, 1 Type-C) quickly charge phones and tablets
- MULTIFUNCTION, COLOR LCD PANEL: Displays immediate, detailed information on battery and power conditions; Color display alerts users to potential issues before they can affect critical equipment and cause downtime; Screen tilts up to 22 degrees
- AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATION (AVR): Corrects minor power fluctuations without switching to battery power; UL SAFETY CERTIFIED: Product has been tested in a UL certified lab and listed with UL as meeting or exceeding safety standards
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY – INCLUDING THE BATTERY; $500,000 Connected Equipment Guarantee; FREE PowerPanel Management Software (Download)
What to do after Windows has already restarted
- Once Windows has started, open OBS and check whether it is streaming. If it is not, start the encoder again.
- Open the scheduled stream in YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. Confirm YouTube is receiving encoder data and check whether the broadcast is live or still waiting for a go-live action.
- Check that the scheduled stream has the intended auto-start and auto-stop settings. YouTube can start or stop a broadcast in response to encoder actions when those options are enabled; do not assume every interrupted event will resume automatically.
- Monitor stream health and, after the event, verify the archive. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived, but that does not guarantee that segments interrupted by an encoder restart will join seamlessly or that the event will resume in the same state.
YouTube’s encoder workflow uses a server URL and stream key, and returning streamers may be able to load prior stream settings. Treat the stream key as a credential: use the key associated with the intended event and do not publish or share it. If OBS is sending data but YouTube is not showing the expected live state, check the Live Control Room status and the scheduled event’s settings rather than repeatedly changing keys without a reason.
Windows 10 users: account for the end of support
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft says that after that date it no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. The Windows 11 path above is the current settings path; menus and pause behavior may differ on older Windows releases. A pause remains a short-term scheduling tool, not a substitute for supported, up-to-date software.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- 1500VA / 900W RELIABLE BACKUP POWER: The highest VA capacity available for home use; delivers short-term battery power to keep essential devices powered during blackouts, surges, and unexpected power interruptions
- TEN PROTECTED OUTLETS: Power your entire setup with 5 battery backup outlets for essential devices, and 5 surge-only outlets for peripherals. Plus built-in coaxial and Ethernet surge protection for added peace of mind
- AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATION (AVR): Corrects low voltage brownouts (88V+) and surges (+/-13%) without draining battery. Boosts or trims to stable 120V. Extends runtime for blackouts; Active PFC compatible for gaming PCs
- REPLACEABLE BATTERY & ENERGY STAR UPS: User-replaceable battery (APCRBC124, sold separately) for zero-downtime swaps. ENERGY STAR certified for 92%+ efficiency, cutting energy costs vs standard UPS units
- LCD DISPLAY PANEL: Features an intuitive LCD screen that displays real-time status information including battery charge level, estimated runtime, load capacity, and input voltage for easy monitoring of your power protection system
Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is to keep uploaded video playing on a YouTube channel without leaving a home PC on, StreamNeo runs the stream from the cloud. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops uploaded videos; it does not stream from a camera or send to platforms other than YouTube.
- Nothing has to stay on at home: the stream continues from the cloud with your computer off.
- Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, with one free day per account. The monthly option is $9.99 per month.
To try it, start with StreamNeo’s free day.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does setting active hours stop Windows from installing updates?
No. Active hours reduce automatic restart risk during the chosen period; updates remain enabled.
Rank #4
- 1500VA/900W Intelligent LCD Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): Uses simulated sine wave technology to provide battery backup power to safeguard workstations, networking devices, and home entertainment equipment
- 12 NEMA 5-15R OUTLETS: Six battery backup & surge protected outlets; six surge protected outlets; INPUT: NEMA 5-15P plug with 6-foot power cord; USB charge ports (1 Type-A, 1 Type-C) quickly charge mobile phones and tablets
- MULTIFUNCTION, COLOR LCD PANEL: Displays immediate, detailed information on battery and power conditions; Color display alerts users to potential issues before they can affect critical equipment and cause downtime
- AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE REGULATION (AVR): Corrects minor power fluctuations without switching to battery power; UL SAFETY CERTIFIED: Product has been tested in a UL certified lab and listed with UL as meeting or exceeding safety standards
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY – INCLUDING THE BATTERY; 500,000 Connected Equipment Guarantee; FREE PowerPanel Personal Software (Download)
Can a YouTube stream that was interrupted by a restart always be recovered as one archive?
No such guarantee is established. Verify the live state after restarting OBS and check the archive after the event.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 12 NEMA 5-15R OUTLETS: Six battery backup & surge protected outlets; Six surge protected outlets (Three ECO controlled); INPUT: NEMA 5-15P right angle, 45 degree offset plug with five foot power cord
- MULTIFUNCTION LCD PANEL: Displays immediate, detailed information on battery and power conditions
- ECO MODE: When the UPS detects a computer is off or in sleep mode, it will automatically turn off power to computer peripherals connected to ECO mode outlets, reducing power usage and lowering energy costs
- 3-YEAR WARRANTY – INCLUDING THE BATTERY; $100,000 Connected Equipment Guarantee and FREE PowerPanel Personal Edition Management Software (Download)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
