A stream stopping after a few hours does not, by itself, show that Contabo caused the failure. First determine whether FFmpeg exited, its input ended or disconnected, output delivery failed while FFmpeg stayed alive, or a VPS/network condition disrupted the process. Those cases need different fixes.
Preserve evidence before restarting
Before changing flags or rebooting, save the exact command, installed FFmpeg version, complete logs around the failure, input and output protocols, and VPS metrics near the stop time. Record the timestamp and whether the stream was publishing to YouTube or another destination. This helps distinguish a process crash from a source, publishing, or server problem.
- Capture FFmpeg’s final log lines and, if it exited, its exit status.
- Check whether the FFmpeg process is still running.
- Note whether input packets are arriving and whether output writes continue.
- Save CPU, RAM and swap, disk, and network-use data, plus relevant firewall and interface settings.
FFmpeg’s command-line documentation emphasizes that option placement matters: options generally apply to the next input or output, so inspect the actual command rather than copying flags into an arbitrary position. See the FFmpeg command-line documentation.
Identify which part of the stream stopped
FFmpeg exited
If the process is gone, inspect its exit status and the last log lines for an explicit error. A managed service can restart a process after an unexpected exit, but that only restores the process; it does not correct an invalid stream key, an ended source, or a persistent network failure.
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The input ended or disconnected
If FFmpeg is alive but input packets stopped, investigate the source and the input connection. A local file reaching EOF may be expected; a live or network source dropping may require input-side reconnection. Determine whether the source should end naturally or continue indefinitely before treating EOF as an error.
The process remains alive but output delivery failed
If input continues but the destination stops receiving the stream, investigate the publishing connection, destination status, credentials, and output logs. Input reconnect options do not automatically repair a failed publishing output.
The VPS or network disrupted the process
Correlate the failure timestamp with resource pressure, network use, firewall rules, interface configuration, and provider status. A runtime of several hours alone does not identify a timer, throttling event, or provider fault.
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Choose recovery settings for the failed direction
Reconnect an input only when the input protocol and job call for it
FFmpeg documents input-side options including reconnect, reconnect_at_eof, reconnect_on_network_error, reconnect_on_http_error, reconnect_streamed, and retry or delay controls. Their behavior depends on the protocol and the installed build. Check the documentation for the exact input protocol and your FFmpeg version before using them.
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Use output recovery only if the output path supports it
FFmpeg’s FIFO muxer offers recovery settings such as attempt_recovery and recovery_wait_time for supported failure scenarios. These are not a guarantee that every server disconnect can be recovered. Verify that the chosen muxer, output format, protocol, and installed FFmpeg version support the behavior you need.
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Decide whether restarting from the beginning is acceptable
A service restart normally starts the command again. If the input is a media file, that can mean replaying from the beginning rather than resuming at the prior position. Decide whether that is acceptable for the programme and configure the source and command accordingly.
Supervise FFmpeg without mistaking a restart for a fix
Run a long-lived command under a service manager with logs and a deliberate restart policy. This can relaunch FFmpeg after an unexpected exit, but it cannot fix a process that remains alive while output is stalled, an unavailable input, invalid credentials, or an ongoing network outage.
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For background execution, FFmpeg’s FAQ documents -nostdin to prevent it from checking for console input. Use it where appropriate for the way the command is launched; it is not a reconnection or output-recovery option. See the FFmpeg FAQ.
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Check Contabo and the VPS using evidence
Contabo Support lists resource exhaustion as a possible contributor to network timeouts and recommends checking CPU, RAM, and bandwidth use. It also identifies firewall and network configuration as possible causes. Check those items against the failure timestamp before escalating a suspected host-node or routing issue; provide the timestamp and diagnostics rather than attributing the problem to the provider based on runtime alone. See Contabo’s network-timeout guidance.
Contabo’s bandwidth guidance says VPS, VDS, and dedicated servers have no default bandwidth limit, while fair-use measures may apply to exceptionally high or disruptive traffic. It lists VPS/VDS port speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. These are provider-level policy and product statements, not a measurement of your server’s actual throughput or proof that your traffic was throttled. Check your own traffic and account/server status. See Contabo’s bandwidth guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Reboot only after collecting what you can
A reboot can restore service, but it is a recovery or diagnostic action, not a root-cause fix. Preserve logs and metrics first if possible, because rebooting may remove transient evidence. Contabo Support advises: “If you still have access to the operating system on the server, please consider rebooting from the operating system instead.” Its control-panel reboot shuts down and restarts the server. See Contabo’s reboot guidance.
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Common symptoms and next checks
| What you observe | What to check next |
|---|---|
| FFmpeg disappeared | Exit status and final log lines; then configure process supervision if an unexpected exit should trigger a restart. |
| FFmpeg runs, but input packets stop | Input source, protocol, and whether EOF is expected; consider protocol-appropriate input reconnection only after checking version support. |
| Input continues, but publishing stops | Output logs, destination status, credentials, protocol support, and any suitable output-recovery mechanism. |
| Failure coincides with resource or network changes | CPU, RAM/swap, bandwidth, firewall, interface configuration, and provider status at the recorded time. |
| Restart brings the stream back temporarily | Keep the evidence from before restart and continue diagnosing; a successful restart does not establish the cause. |
For a stream that continues from uploaded videos rather than a live camera, there is also a cloud option: StreamNeo runs a YouTube stream from uploaded videos without leaving a computer or home connection on. It does not diagnose or repair an existing FFmpeg job.
Or let it run in the cloud
For a YouTube channel that needs prerecorded videos looped continuously, StreamNeo keeps the stream running from the cloud:
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded video or playlist.
- Your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
- Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot with no re-encode or quality tiers.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free, with no card required.
The monthly option is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start the free day.
Quick Recap
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