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Media playlists

Fix an OBS VLC Playlist That Stops After a File Path Changes

Repair outdated VLC Video Source playlist paths in OBS, then check loop and visibility settings to find why playback stops.

By DocumentaryTube Team 4 min read
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If an OBS VLC Video Source playlist stops after you move or rename media, open the source’s properties and repair any playlist entries that still point to the old location. Then check whether Loop Playlist is enabled and whether Visibility Behaviour is stopping the source when it is hidden. These settings address different causes: a valid path makes a file reachable, while loop and visibility settings control playback behavior.

First confirm which OBS source you are using

This fix applies to OBS Studio’s built-in VLC Video Source, which supports playlists using VLC libraries. It is not the same as a standard Media Source or the separate Media Playlist Source plugin. OBS says VLC must be installed for VLC Video Source to appear; for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Project’s Media Sources guide.

Repair playlist entries that point to old paths

  1. Open the source properties. In OBS, select the scene containing the VLC Video Source, then open that source’s properties.
  2. Inspect every playlist row. Look for files or folders that were moved or renamed, a drive letter that changed, a removable or network drive that is no longer mounted, or a network location that has changed.
  3. Replace each outdated entry with the file’s current location. Use the source’s file-selection control to locate the existing media file, then confirm the updated entry appears in the playlist.
  4. Check that the location is reachable. Make sure the drive or network share is available to the computer running OBS and that the selected file can be accessed there.
  5. Test the playlist. Play the affected item, then observe whether playback advances to the next item. If it stops at the end of the entire list, check the loop setting below.

OBS’s VLC source implementation builds its file list from the source settings and supports handling a missing file by updating its entry to a replacement path or removing it if no replacement is supplied. That behavior makes the saved playlist entry worth checking; it does not, on its own, establish the cause of a particular stoppage. See the OBS VLC Video Source implementation.

Check whether the playlist should loop

In the VLC Video Source properties, enable Loop Playlist if you want playback to restart after OBS reaches the end of the playlist. This setting controls what happens when the list runs out of media; it does not repair an item whose saved path is invalid. OBS also documents Shuffle Playlist, which changes playback order rather than fixing file locations.

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Check whether a scene change is hiding the source

If playback stops or restarts when you switch scenes, inspect Visibility Behaviour in the VLC Video Source properties. OBS documents the default as Stop when not visible, restart when visible. A source hidden by a scene change can therefore stop independently of whether its playlist paths are valid. Choose the behavior that suits your scene setup, then test by switching away from and back to the scene.

If the VLC Video Source is missing from OBS

  • Install VLC so OBS can show the VLC Video Source.
  • If your OBS installation is 64-bit, install 64-bit VLC, as specified by OBS.
  • Reopen OBS and check the available source types again.

When to consider Media Playlist Source instead

If every playlist path is valid and playback still fails to advance, a separate plugin, Media Playlist Source, may be worth evaluating. The plugin listing describes it as an alternative that uses Media Source internally and says playlists can be edited during playback, including when items are reordered. It is not the built-in VLC Video Source, and its fixes should not be treated as a general remedy for stale file paths.

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The plugin’s 0.1.3 release notes, dated April 13, 2025, list fixes for a playlist not continuing after a transition and not continuing when the next item has the same video path. Those are plugin-specific fixes, not confirmation that the built-in VLC source has the same problem. Before installing, check the plugin’s requirements against your OBS version and operating system; release history documents version requirements and changes to Windows installation layout. See the Media Playlist Source listing and its release history.

Troubleshoot by symptom

What you see What to check What to do
An item stops working after a move or rename Its saved playlist path may refer to the old location. Replace the entry with the file’s current path and confirm the location is accessible.
Playback ends after the last playlist item Loop Playlist may be off. Enable it if the list should restart at the end.
Playback stops when you switch scenes Visibility Behaviour may be set to stop when the source is hidden. Choose the appropriate visibility behavior and test a scene change.
VLC Video Source is not available as a source type VLC may not be installed, or its architecture may not match 64-bit OBS. Install VLC; use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS.
Paths are valid but playback still does not advance reliably The issue may involve playlist continuation rather than a stale path. Check whether Media Playlist Source is compatible with your OBS version and platform before trying it.
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