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To stream a folder of local videos to YouTube Live from Windows, add the files to OBS’s VLC Video source, connect OBS to a YouTube encoder stream with its server URL and stream key, then check the preview before you make the broadcast live. VLC Video plays a playlist; OBS’s built-in Media Source is the simpler choice for one video at a time.
Before you start: check channel access and install the software
Make sure your channel can go live
YouTube requires a verified channel with no live-streaming restriction in the previous 90 days. Enabling live streaming for the first time can take up to 24 hours, so do this in advance. Check the current requirements in YouTube’s live-streaming help.
Install OBS and VLC
OBS lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 in its system requirements. A PC that meets the operating-system requirements may still struggle with a particular resolution, frame rate, encoder, or scene; use OBS’s Auto-Configuration Wizard as a starting point. See the OBS system requirements and Quick Start Guide.
Install VLC as well as OBS if you want a playlist. OBS’s VLC Video source appears only when VLC is installed, and the architectures must match: 64-bit OBS needs 64-bit VLC. OBS documents this and its media-source options in Media Sources.
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Choose the right OBS source
| Source | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video | A folder-like queue of multiple files | Supports a playlist, shuffle control, and playlist looping; requires VLC installed with matching architecture. |
| Media Source | One local video file at a time | Built into OBS and includes per-file loop and playback settings. |
OBS lists common supported containers such as MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. A filename extension does not guarantee that every codec inside a file will decode on every Windows installation, so test the exact files you plan to stream.
Build and configure the video playlist
- Create or select a scene. In OBS, use the Scenes dock to select an existing scene or create one for the broadcast.
- Add the playlist source. In the Sources dock, click +, choose VLC Video, and add the video files you want to play. Arrange the playlist in the intended order.
- Set playback behavior. Turn Shuffle Playlist off for a fixed sequence. Enable Loop Playlist if playback should start again after the last file; leave it off if the playlist should finish. Check Visibility Behaviour: a source set to stop when hidden will not keep playing in the background.
- Fit the source to the canvas. Make sure the source is visible and positioned as intended in the OBS preview. Use the source’s transform options or drag its bounds to fill or fit the canvas.
- Check audio. Play a representative file and watch the OBS Audio Mixer meters. Confirm that the intended audio is present and not muted. Check the scene and source audio settings if the meters do not move.
For a single file instead, click + in Sources, choose Media Source, select the local file, and set its loop and visibility options. The playback controls and source guidance are in OBS’s Media Sources documentation.
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Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and the Live Control Room. Create an encoder stream or select the scheduled stream you intend to use. Choose the desired privacy setting: public, unlisted, or private.
- Copy the stream URL and key. In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Select YouTube if available, or configure the service and server URL shown by YouTube; paste the stream key into the key field. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions explain where to find these details.
- Protect the key. Treat it like a password: do not share it or show it on screen. If it is exposed, reset it in the Live Control Room before streaming again. For a secure ingest connection, YouTube recommends RTMPS when the encoder supports it; see its live-streaming tips.
- Start sending the feed from OBS. Click Start Streaming and wait for the incoming preview in YouTube Studio. For a scheduled stream, sending the feed from OBS and making the broadcast available to viewers are separate actions: click Go live in YouTube when the preview is ready. Follow the controls displayed for the selected stream, since YouTube’s interface can change.
See YouTube’s encoder-stream guide and live-stream settings help for the current setup and stream controls.
Test the full stream before sharing it
Before a public broadcast, run a private or unlisted test when appropriate. Use the same files, scene, audio, and connection you plan to use for the real stream. Confirm that the first file is correct, the order and loop behavior work, audio is audible, and YouTube’s preview and stream-health indicators show no problem. OBS recommends testing before an event, and YouTube advises testing with representative audio and motion and monitoring stream health; see the OBS Quick Start Guide and YouTube live-streaming tips.
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There is no universal bitrate that fits every Windows PC, upload connection, resolution, and frame rate. Start with OBS’s Auto-Configuration Wizard, check your available upload capacity, and use YouTube’s encoder settings and bitrate guidance for the output you intend to send. Watch YouTube’s stream-health feedback during the test rather than assuming a setting is suitable.
Rights and YouTube policy
Only stream video and audio you own or are authorized to use. YouTube’s encoder setup guidance warns creators to ensure their content follows platform rules. Whether a particular file is legally cleared depends on the rights and permissions for that material; a file playing successfully in OBS does not establish permission to broadcast it.
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Troubleshoot common problems
- VLC Video is missing: Install VLC and check that its architecture matches OBS (for example, 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS).
- A file is missing, black, or will not decode: Test that specific file on the same PC and try a known-compatible file. Supported container extensions do not guarantee support for every codec combination.
- The playlist stops after one item or does not restart: Check Loop Playlist and confirm the files are in the intended order. If the source is hidden, inspect Visibility Behaviour for a stop-on-hide setting.
- YouTube shows no incoming signal: Check that OBS is using the correct YouTube server URL and stream key, then inspect the Live Control Room preview. Reset the key if it may have been exposed.
- The channel cannot start a live stream: Check channel verification and any live-streaming restrictions. If this is the first activation, allow up to 24 hours for access to become available.
- Video quality drops or the connection is unstable: Run OBS’s Auto-Configuration Wizard, test upload capacity, and check YouTube’s stream-health status. Adjust output settings to the connection and target output; do not rely on a one-size-fits-all bitrate.
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When the event is over, end the broadcast in the Live Control Room as applicable and stop streaming in OBS. YouTube says encoder streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived; see YouTube’s encoder-stream guide.
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