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OBS Studio is the best documented Windows starting point if you want to loop prerecorded video into a YouTube Live stream and can keep the PC, internet connection and encoder running. Use its built-in Media Source for one video, or VLC Video for a playlist with loop and shuffle controls. If the channel must keep streaming while your computer is off, use a cloud service instead: StreamNeo is #1 for that use case because it runs continuously from the cloud, supports uploaded video up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, and offers a free first day.
Which Windows option fits your 24/7 stream?
| Option | Best for | Loop or playlist controls | What must remain available |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio Media Source | Looping one local video file | Loop a single file | Windows PC, source file, network connection and OBS |
| OBS Studio VLC Video | Looping multiple local videos | Playlist loop and optional shuffle | Windows PC, source files, matching VLC installation, network connection and OBS |
| StreamNeo | Keeping uploaded prerecorded video live without relying on a dedicated PC | 24/7 looping and playlists | StreamNeo account, uploaded media and YouTube connection |
| Gyre or Upstream | Cloud-based 24/7 prerecorded streaming | Cloud service workflow; check current controls with the provider | Account, uploaded media, service availability and YouTube connection |
OBS is an encoder: YouTube describes an encoder as software or equipment that converts video into a digital format for streaming (YouTube’s encoder setup guide). OBS sends the live feed; it does not make a local setup independent of the machine and network running it.
Set up OBS to loop a video or playlist
Before you start
- Enable live streaming on your YouTube channel in advance. YouTube says first-time activation may take up to 24 hours (YouTube Help).
- Install OBS Studio from the OBS Project.
- For a playlist, install VLC as well. OBS requires VLC for the VLC Video source; a 64-bit OBS installation needs 64-bit VLC (OBS Media Sources documentation).
- Keep video files accessible on the PC for the whole broadcast. An external drive is optional if existing storage is sufficient.
Loop one video with Media Source
- Open OBS and select or create the scene you want to broadcast.
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose Media Source. Create a new source and browse to the video file.
- Enable the source’s Loop option, then select OK. OBS documents support for local files including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF and WebM (OBS Media Sources).
- Check that the video appears and plays in the OBS preview. Arrange and scale it in the canvas as needed.
Loop a playlist with VLC Video
- In the Sources panel, select + and choose VLC Video. If the option is missing, install VLC and restart OBS; ensure the VLC and OBS architectures match.
- Create a playlist source and use the playlist controls to add the local video files in the order you want.
- Enable Loop Playlist. Enable Shuffle Playlist only if you want a randomized order rather than a fixed sequence.
- Verify playback in the preview and confirm that every file in the playlist is available to the PC.
Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and enter the Live Control Room. Create or select the stream and copy its server URL and stream key.
- In OBS, open Settings > Stream, select YouTube if offered, and enter the stream URL and key. Keep the key private; anyone with it may be able to send a feed to your channel.
- In OBS, start streaming. Check the incoming preview in YouTube’s Live Control Room before selecting YouTube’s Go live control when prompted by the setup flow.
- Monitor the PC, OBS and network connection while live. A loop setting repeats media; it does not guarantee an uninterrupted broadcast or automatic recovery after a computer, connection or encoder failure.
Plan around YouTube’s live-stream and archive rules
YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. Its guidance does not promise automatic archiving for streams exceeding that threshold, so do not assume an uninterrupted 24/7 broadcast will be saved as a complete replay (YouTube Help). Plan separate recordings or shorter scheduled streams if retaining footage matters.
Looping a file does not grant rights to its contents. Before streaming, confirm you have permission to use the video, music and other material, and review YouTube’s applicable copyright policies. Repeating a video also does not itself establish that a channel meets YouTube’s monetization requirements; assess the channel and content against YouTube’s current policies rather than treating continuous playback as a shortcut.
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Other cloud services listed by YouTube for 24/7 prerecorded streaming include Gyre and Upstream (YouTube’s encoder list). Their current plans, limits and pricing should be checked with each provider; they are alternatives to a local Windows encoder, not Windows looping software.
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Troubleshoot common failures
- VLC Video is not listed: install VLC, then restart OBS. Check that 64-bit OBS has 64-bit VLC.
- Video will not load or appears black: check that the file path is valid and the file is accessible; try a supported format such as MP4, MOV or MKV, then verify playback in the OBS preview.
- Playlist stops after one pass: reopen the VLC Video source properties and confirm Loop Playlist is enabled. Check each file path in the playlist.
- Playback order changes: disable Shuffle Playlist if you need the videos to play in a fixed sequence.
- YouTube receives no feed: confirm OBS is streaming, the server URL and stream key match the selected YouTube stream, and the network is connected. If the key may have been exposed, replace it in YouTube Studio and update OBS.
- Channel cannot go live yet: first-time live-stream activation can take up to 24 hours, according to YouTube. Enable the feature before the planned broadcast.
- The local stream stops when the PC or internet fails: OBS depends on the running computer and network. Restore them and restart the feed, or move playback to a cloud service if it must continue while the PC is off.
Choose by operating model, not just loop controls
For a single local file or playlist on a Windows PC that will stay online, OBS provides the documented loop controls needed to build the stream. For unattended operation that must continue when the home computer is off, choose a cloud service and check its current service limits and terms. In either case, keep control of the stream key, verify content rights, and plan separately for archiving and recovery.
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