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To show true closed captions during an OBS stream, the captions must reach YouTube through a supported live-caption route; having an SRT or VTT file on your computer, or displaying text over the picture, does not by itself create a selectable caption track. For a prerecorded cartoon playlist, treat the cartoon playback and caption delivery as separate jobs: prepare the OBS program, configure YouTube’s caption source, then verify the viewer can turn captions on and that they match the audio.
What “closed captions” means for an OBS live stream
YouTube defines closed captions as a visual display of a program’s audio and says captions must be sent to YouTube for a live stream. A text source or subtitle graphic placed over the video in OBS may be visible, but it is burned into the picture; viewers cannot toggle it as a closed-caption track. The YouTube live-caption guidance describes three relevant delivery routes: YouTube-generated automatic captions, captions embedded in the stream as EIA 608/CEA 708, and supported caption software sending captions over HTTP.
A caption file associated with an uploaded video is a separate workflow. YouTube’s list of upload caption formats includes SCC, but file-format support for an upload does not establish that OBS can send that file as live captions.
Choose a caption route before setting up the playlist
| Route | How it reaches YouTube | Important limits |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube automatic live captions | YouTube generates captions from the stream’s audio. | The documented option is English-only, applies to normal-latency streams when professional captions are unavailable, and must be selected for each stream. Live-generated captions do not remain on the archived stream. |
| Embedded EIA 608/CEA 708 | A compatible encoder embeds captions in the outgoing stream. | Enable “Embedded 608/708” in YouTube Live Control Room and configure the encoder to output EIA 608/CEA 708. YouTube currently supports one caption track for this route. |
| Caption software over HTTP | Supported caption software sends captions separately to YouTube. | YouTube describes a single caption feed for each stream entry point. Confirm the software, connection method, and timing requirements for your own workflow. |
| Caption file for an uploaded video | A file is attached to a YouTube upload. | This can be relevant to the replay, but it is not a demonstrated live-caption transport method for OBS. |
Set up YouTube Live captions
For YouTube automatic captions
- In YouTube Live Control Room, create or open the live stream’s settings.
- Inspect the stream’s “Closed captions” setting and choose “Automatic captions” as the source if it is offered and fits your stream. YouTube documents this option for English-language captions on normal-latency streams when professional captions are unavailable.
- Save the stream settings. Because the choice is per stream, check it whenever you configure a new broadcast.
- After going live, check the viewer experience: turn captions on in the player and confirm that words appear in time with the cartoon’s dialogue and other relevant audio.
Automatic recognition depends on the audio YouTube receives. Music, sound effects, overlapping voices, unusual names, and unclear dialogue can affect what appears. Do not treat automatic captions as a checked transcript when accuracy matters.
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For prepared or professional captions embedded in the stream
- In YouTube Live Control Room, open the stream’s “Closed captions” settings, choose “Embedded 608/708,” and save.
- Configure the encoder to output EIA 608 or CEA 708 captions as part of the stream. Selecting the option in YouTube alone does not generate or embed captions.
- Confirm the source captions are synchronized with the cartoon audio and that your encoder’s actual output uses the supported caption format. YouTube documents one caption track for this embedded route.
- Start a test broadcast and check the YouTube player for a toggleable caption track and correct timing before relying on it for a public stream.
For a separate captioning service
YouTube also documents supported caption software that sends captions through HTTP. The service must send captions to the correct stream entry point; a caption file simply loaded into OBS is not evidence that this connection exists. YouTube’s live-caption help lists Total Eclipse/AccuCap, Case CATalyst, CaptionMaker, and StreamText.Net as tools associated with its live-caption workflows. Check the current software requirements and compatibility directly before choosing one; a listing does not establish a particular OBS setup.
YouTube’s separate caption-ingestion-URL event workflow specifies a 30-second or 60-second broadcast delay. Those figures apply to that workflow, not to every live-caption route. The same help page lists AccuCap 6.0.0.5 or greater, Case CATalyst BCS version 14.52 or greater, and CaptionMaker version 5.22 or later; these version requirements can change, so verify them with YouTube and the software provider before setup.
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Prepare the prerecorded cartoon playlist in OBS
Configure OBS to provide the video and audio program, and configure caption delivery separately using one of the supported routes above. The YouTube caption guidance does not establish the current OBS controls for loading, ordering, or looping media items, nor does it document SRT/VTT integration with OBS as a live-caption transport. For that reason, use the current OBS documentation for playlist playback and repeat behavior rather than assuming a particular menu label or that adding a subtitle file will send closed captions to YouTube.
- Check that every cartoon item in the playlist has the intended audio and plays in the intended order.
- Confirm repeat behavior in the current OBS workflow if the playlist must continue after its final item.
- Make sure the captions you plan to send cover the actual program audio and remain synchronized across item changes and any repeats.
- Test the stream in YouTube itself. A visible text overlay is not proof that the player has a selectable caption track.
Check captions on the live stream and replay
- Start with a private or otherwise controlled test stream if you need to verify the setup before a public broadcast.
- Open the YouTube viewer player, enable captions, and confirm that a caption track is available and that dialogue timing is acceptable.
- Check transitions between cartoons and playlist repeats; mismatched timing or missing captions can occur when the caption feed does not follow the program audio.
- After the broadcast, inspect the archived video separately. YouTube says live automatic captions do not persist on the archive; it creates separate VOD captions afterward, and those may differ from the live captions.
- If the replay needs accurate captions, review the processed VOD captions or add an appropriate caption track to the archived upload. Do not assume the live track has carried over.
Common caption problems and fixes
- Captions are visible in OBS but cannot be turned on in YouTube: the text may be an on-screen graphic rather than a delivered caption track. Use a supported YouTube caption route and verify it in the player.
- An SRT or VTT file is loaded, but the live player has no captions: a local file alone does not establish live delivery. Configure automatic captions, embedded 608/708 output, or supported caption software over HTTP.
- YouTube has no embedded captions: confirm both sides of the setup—the stream is set to “Embedded 608/708” in Live Control Room and the encoder actually outputs EIA 608/CEA 708 captions.
- Automatic captions are unavailable: check the stream’s latency and whether professional captions are being used. YouTube documents its automatic option for normal latency when professional captions are unavailable, and the documented setup is English-only.
- Automatic captions are inaccurate or late: inspect the audio reaching YouTube, especially dialogue clarity, competing music or effects, and timing. Use prepared captions through a supported route when recognition is not adequate.
- Captions work live but are absent from the replay: this is expected for live-generated captions; check the VOD after processing and handle replay captions separately.
- The caption software connects but text does not appear: verify that it is a YouTube-supported workflow, is sending to the correct stream entry point, and meets current software and timing requirements. Do not assume OBS playlist playback supplies this connection.
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