Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSometimes—but OBS and YouTube documentation do not guarantee that a stream will keep rendering on every locked Windows PC. OBS can play and loop a local video through a Media Source, and YouTube accepts encoder-based live streams. A locked screen is not the same as sleep, signing out, or switching Windows users, so test the exact setup before relying on it unattended.
What “locked” means for an OBS stream
Locking Windows normally leaves you signed in, with the desktop hidden behind the sign-in screen. That is different from putting the PC to sleep or hibernating it, signing out, or switching to another Windows account. Those other states can interrupt the OBS session or its rendering. Community reports describe freezes after switching Windows users, but they do not prove that every same-session screen lock stops a stream—or that every locked PC will keep working.
The OBS Project’s official Media Sources documentation covers adding and playing local media, not a universal guarantee about rendering while Windows is locked. YouTube’s encoder guide explains encoder-based streaming but does not promise that OBS will continue through every Windows, graphics-driver, and power configuration.
Set up a prerecorded video in OBS
- Add the video: In OBS, select the scene where you want the video, then use Sources > + > Media Source. Choose a name, select the local file, and confirm the path is correct. OBS documents support for common formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, and WebM.
- Choose playback behavior: Enable Loop if the video should repeat when it reaches the end. Check the Media Source options for restart-on-activation and what should happen when playback ends; set them to match whether you want a continuous loop or a single play.
- Connect OBS to YouTube: Set up an encoder-based live stream in YouTube using YouTube’s current instructions, and connect OBS with the stream key for that broadcast. Keep the stream key private. Start OBS while signed in to the Windows account that owns the running OBS session.
- Check the live output: Before locking the PC, confirm in YouTube Studio that it is receiving a moving picture and the expected audio. Do not rely only on OBS’s local preview.
Test whether your PC keeps streaming when locked
- Keep OBS open in the same Windows session. Lock the workstation without signing out or switching users.
- From a separate device, check the YouTube stream or YouTube Studio. Confirm that the picture continues moving and that audio remains present.
- Leave it running long enough to cover the period you intend to stream. A brief check can miss a later sleep, network, or playback interruption.
- If the feed freezes, unlock the PC and investigate whether it slept, changed user sessions, lost network or power, or encountered an OBS source or graphics issue. Change one factor at a time and repeat the test.
This is a verification procedure, not a guarantee: the outcome depends on the specific PC and its Windows, power, graphics, and OBS behavior.
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Keep Windows awake and the stream connected
- Prevent sleep and hibernation: Set Windows power options so the computer does not sleep during the planned stream. A monitor turning off is not necessarily the same as the PC sleeping; check the sleep behavior itself.
- Stay on power: Use reliable power and, where relevant, make sure closing a laptop lid will not trigger sleep.
- Maintain network access: Keep the PC connected to a stable network. A screen lock does not protect against a dropped connection.
- Keep the OBS session intact: Do not sign out, switch Windows users, or close OBS. A 2021 OBS forum thread reports freezing after switching away from the Windows user running OBS; that community report is a warning about a distinct session change, not proof about every locked screen.
- Retest after changes: Windows, driver, OBS, and power-setting changes can alter behavior. Verify again on the machine you plan to use.
When OBS on a locked PC is the wrong fit
If the stream must continue without depending on an interactive PC session, use an approach designed to remove that dependency. YouTube’s encoder guide names standalone encoder hardware, including the AJA HELO Plus and PlayToStream, as options for scheduling prerecorded media without a computer. These devices involve separate hardware and a different setup workflow; check current availability, pricing, and scheduling requirements before choosing one.
For a cloud-based YouTube workflow, StreamNeo keeps uploaded videos looping without requiring your computer to stay on. It is an alternative to running OBS on a locked home PC, not a way to stream a live camera feed.
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Or let it run in the cloud
With StreamNeo, upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The service loops the uploaded video from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. Videos stream as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; automatic recovery can resume the stream if YouTube drops it. The first day is free with no card required. Monthly: $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or start your free day.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does OBS keep streaming if I switch to another Windows user?
That is not the same as locking the current session. An OBS forum thread reports freezing after switching users, so do not assume the stream will continue; test your configuration or use a workflow that does not depend on that session.
Rank #3
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Can I use a Media Source to loop a documentary?
Yes. Add the local file as an OBS Media Source and enable Loop if you want it to repeat after playback ends.
Quick Recap
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