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You can stream a looping playlist stored on a USB drive to YouTube Live by connecting the drive to a computer, playing its files through OBS, and sending OBS’s output to YouTube with a stream URL and key from Live Control Room. The drive stores the videos; the computer must stay on, read and play them, and transmit the stream.
Before you start
- A computer with OBS installed and an internet connection suitable for your broadcast.
- A USB drive containing video files the computer can read. Keep the drive connected and available throughout the stream; this is practical guidance for using local files, not a guarantee of USB-drive reliability.
- A verified YouTube channel that meets YouTube’s current live-stream eligibility requirements. YouTube Help says channels must have no live-stream restrictions in the past 90 days; first-time live streaming may take up to 24 hours to become available. Check YouTube’s live-streaming eligibility and setup instructions before the planned broadcast, since requirements can change.
- Permission to broadcast every video and audio track in the playlist. Prerecorded content is subject to copyright rules too.
Choose how OBS should loop the files
| What you want to play | OBS source | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| One video repeatedly | Media Source | Enable Loop. |
| Several videos in sequence, repeating the sequence | VLC Video source | Enable Loop Playlist. VLC must be installed; for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. |
These are the options documented in the OBS media sources guide. The documentation does not provide a tested performance or reliability comparison between them.
Set up a single repeating video
- Connect the USB drive to the computer that will run OBS. Open the drive and confirm the video plays and can be read. Do not disconnect or eject it while OBS is using the file.
- In OBS, select the scene for the broadcast. Under Sources, select + and add a Media Source. Give it a recognizable name and select OK.
- In the Media Source properties, select Browse and choose the video file on the USB drive. Enable Loop, then select OK.
- Check the OBS preview. Make sure the video fits the canvas as intended and that audio is present at a usable level. If the picture is cropped or has borders, adjust the source in the preview rather than assuming the file itself has changed.
Set up a playlist that repeats
- Install VLC before configuring OBS. The VLC Video source will not appear in OBS unless VLC is installed. Match the architecture: 64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS.
- In OBS, select the scene, then under Sources select + and choose VLC Video Source. If it is not listed, verify VLC is installed and that its architecture matches OBS.
- In the source properties, add the USB-drive video files in the order you want them played. Enable Loop Playlist, then select OK.
- Preview the scene and verify the order, transitions between files, and audio. Keep the USB drive connected and its files in place while the source is playing.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Create > Go live to open Live Control Room. Create or select the stream and retrieve its stream URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder streaming instructions explain the connection workflow.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream. Choose YouTube as the service and enter the stream URL and key as required by the selected connection method. Treat the key like a password: do not show it in a recording, screenshot, or public post.
- Return to the main OBS window and select Start Streaming. Wait for the stream to appear in Live Control Room, check its preview and status, and start the YouTube broadcast when the control room indicates it is ready.
- Check the public watch page from a separate device or browser session. Confirm that the expected video and audio are playing, then keep an eye on OBS and Live Control Room while the broadcast runs.
Test before an important broadcast. YouTube recommends monitoring stream quality during the event; the USB workflow depends on the computer continuing to read the local files as well as on the encoder connection staying active.
Copyright and channel-policy checks
YouTube scans live streams for third-party content. A broadcast can be interrupted or terminated when copyrighted material is identified. Having a license does not necessarily prevent a Content ID interruption: the rights owner may also need to allowlist your channel. See YouTube’s guidance on copyrighted content in live streams and its Terms of Service.
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#1 Best Overall
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Before going live, confirm that you have the necessary rights for every video, music track, and other audio element, and resolve any required Content ID allowlisting with the rights owner. YouTube’s reused-content and monetization rules are separate from copyright permission: permission to broadcast material does not by itself guarantee that a channel or video qualifies for monetization. Review YouTube’s current policies before relying on a loop as a monetized format.
Troubleshooting
| What you see | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video source is missing | VLC is not installed, or its architecture does not match OBS. | Install VLC and match its architecture to OBS; for 64-bit OBS, use 64-bit VLC. |
| The video stops or goes offline | The USB drive may have disconnected or become unavailable, or OBS may have lost access to the file. | Check the drive connection and confirm the file remains readable. Reopen the source if necessary and verify playback in the preview. |
| OBS streams but YouTube does not show the expected picture or sound | The wrong scene or source may be active, or playback/audio may not be working in OBS. | Check the OBS preview, selected scene, source visibility, and audio meters before restarting the stream. |
| YouTube does not receive the encoder | The stream URL or key may be incorrect, or the stream setup may not be ready. | Recheck the URL and key in Live Control Room and OBS. If this is the channel’s first live stream, allow for YouTube’s stated enablement window of up to 24 hours. |
| The stream is interrupted after it starts | YouTube may have detected third-party content or the encoder connection may have dropped. | Check Live Control Room for a notice. For a rights claim, contact the rights owner about authorization and Content ID allowlisting; for a connection issue, restore the encoder connection and confirm the preview returns. |
Or let it run in the cloud
With OBS and a USB playlist, the computer and drive must remain available at home. StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams the upload as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or estimate upload time before moving files from the USB drive to the cloud.
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