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No. If OBS is the encoder sending your playlist to YouTube, closing OBS stops that video feed. A scheduled broadcast or YouTube’s auto-start setting cannot replace the encoder. To keep a prerecorded playlist live while your computer is off, another encoder—such as a cloud playout service—must keep sending the feed.
Why closing OBS stops the live stream
OBS sends video from your computer to YouTube; it does not hand YouTube a playlist that YouTube can continue playing on its own. The OBS Project explains that “the connection goes directly from your computer to the streaming service.” YouTube’s encoder instructions likewise say: “To end the stream, stop sending content from your encoder.” OBS Project Help · YouTube: Create a live stream with an encoder
A viewer-facing YouTube video playlist and a live broadcast are different things. The playlist groups videos for viewers to watch; a live broadcast needs an active source continuously sending its video. If OBS is the only source, its feed ends when OBS stops.
What scheduling and auto-start settings do—and do not do
YouTube lets you schedule a live event so viewers can find it in advance, share its URL, and request notifications. At broadcast time, however, the encoder still has to connect and send the video. YouTube’s auto-start and auto-stop settings govern how an encoder-based event starts or ends; they do not turn YouTube into a server-side player for your playlist. YouTube: Schedule a live stream · YouTube: Manage live stream settings
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Switching the ingestion protocol from RTMP to HLS does not remove that requirement. HLS describes how an encoder sends media to YouTube, not how YouTube supplies the media after the encoder has stopped. YouTube: Use HLS for live streaming
Ways to keep a playlist on YouTube Live
Keep the local OBS setup running
If you want to use OBS, keep the computer powered on, connected to the internet, and OBS open with the playlist source playing or looping as intended. Start the encoder, wait for the preview in YouTube’s Live Control Room, and monitor stream health. When the broadcast is over, end it using YouTube’s live controls and stop the encoder feed as directed. YouTube recommends setting up in advance, starting the encoder at least 15 minutes before a scheduled event, checking the preview, and monitoring quality. YouTube: Live streaming tips
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Use another encoder that stays online
If the local computer must be off, move playout to another machine that remains powered and connected, or use a cloud service that sends prerecorded video to YouTube Live. YouTube’s encoder directory lists cloud services for continuous prerecorded-video streaming, including Gyre and Upstream. Those are examples listed by YouTube, not endorsements; verify each provider’s current features, supported formats, file limits, pricing, rights requirements, and reliability terms before choosing. YouTube’s encoder directory and setup guidance
Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo keeps uploaded videos or a playlist streaming to YouTube from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Each slot streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; it also includes 10 GB storage per slot (pooled across active slots), 24/7 looping and playlists, automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream, and support from the StreamNeo team. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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Plan for archive limits and content rights
YouTube says encoder-based streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That guidance is not a guarantee that a longer continuous stream will be preserved as one replay, nor does it establish that a 24/7 broadcast can run indefinitely. If you need a replay, check current archive behavior and plan how to preserve the recording before relying on a long broadcast. YouTube: Create a live stream with an encoder
Whatever encoder you use, you need the rights to stream the video and audio. Follow YouTube’s platform policies and content requirements; a playlist being prerecorded does not exempt it from copyright or other rules. YouTube: Create a live stream with an encoder
Quick Recap
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Troubleshooting: the live event stops or has no picture
- The stream ends when OBS closes: OBS was the active encoder. Reopen it and restart the feed, or move playout to an encoder that stays online.
- The scheduled event is waiting, but viewers see no video: Scheduling creates the event, not its video feed. Connect and start the encoder, then confirm the preview in Live Control Room.
- Auto-start is enabled, but the playlist does not continue: Auto-start affects encoder start behavior; it does not play media after the encoder stops. Keep an encoder sending the feed.
- You changed to HLS but the computer still has to stay on: HLS is an ingestion method. The encoder still needs to send the video.
- A long stream is missing or incomplete in the archive: YouTube’s automatic archive guidance covers streams under 12 hours. For longer broadcasts, verify current behavior and arrange a separate way to retain the source recording.
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