Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBack up three things separately: export your active OBS Profile, save the Scene Collection that contains your scenes and sources, and copy the video or audio files used by playlist sources. A Profile does not include scenes, and a Scene Collection does not include output settings; neither backup alone preserves the media files a playlist points to.
What an OBS backup needs to preserve
OBS separates configuration into components, so a dependable recovery copy needs more than one export.
| Backup component | What it preserves | What it does not preserve |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Stream, video, and output settings, including the connected account, according to OBS’s Profiles guide. | Scenes and sources. |
| Scene Collection | Scenes, sources, and Global Audio Sources, according to OBS’s Scene Collections guide. | Output settings. |
| Playlist media files | The actual local video or audio content referenced by the playlist source. | The OBS playlist and scene setup by themselves do not copy or package the referenced media. |
Keep these as distinct backup items: the Profile export, the relevant Scene Collection, and copies of all media used by its playlist sources.
Back up the active Profile
- Identify the Profile currently in use. In OBS, check the Profile menu and confirm it is the one used for the always-on channel; a saved export of another Profile will not preserve the settings you need.
- Export its settings. Use the Profile menu’s Import/Export option to export the Profile settings as a JSON file. OBS documents Profile export and import in its Profiles guide.
- Store the JSON with a clear name and date. Keep it somewhere separate from the computer running OBS, such as an external drive or another backup destination. This is the Profile backup only; export the Scene Collection separately.
Save the Scene Collection
Scene Collections hold the scenes and sources that make up the broadcast, including Global Audio Sources. Save a separate copy of the collection used by the channel and label it so you can distinguish it from test or alternate layouts. OBS explains Scene Collections separately from Profiles in its official guide.
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When preparing a recovery set, record which Profile and Scene Collection belong together. That simple pairing helps avoid restoring valid settings from one setup alongside unrelated scenes from another.
Copy playlist media, not just its source setup
OBS’s VLC Video Source can play playlists and has loop and shuffle options. The source requires VLC to be installed; see OBS’s Media Sources guide. The scene configuration can preserve the source and its playlist details, but the actual local videos or audio files remain separate files. Copy every referenced file into the backup as well.
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- Include every item in the playlist, not only the file currently playing.
- Keep the folder structure or file names organized so you can identify which files belong to the channel.
- Note whether the playlist should loop or shuffle, then verify that behavior after restoring.
- Make sure VLC is installed on the replacement or restored system if the source depends on it.
Moving to another computer or using Portable Mode
Do not assume an OBS Portable Mode folder contains the media referenced by a Scene Collection. OBS states in its Running in Portable Mode guide that files used within the scene collection, including images and media, are not portable even when Portable Mode is used.
After moving a setup, inspect playlist and other media sources for paths that still point to the old computer. OBS notes that a Scene Collection JSON may need manual path edits, or you can use a common path that is available on each device. The correct path depends on your operating system and setup; the cited documentation does not establish one universal directory or restore sequence.
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Restore and test before returning to the live schedule
- Install OBS and any required dependencies. Install VLC if the playlist uses an OBS VLC Video Source.
- Import the Profile. Use the Profile menu’s import option to load the saved Profile JSON, then check that the intended stream, video, and output settings are present.
- Load the intended Scene Collection. Confirm that the correct scenes, sources, and audio configuration appear rather than an unrelated or default collection.
- Reconnect media paths. If files moved, locate the copied media and update source paths as needed. Confirm each playlist item resolves.
- Check playback behavior. Verify the playlist order, loop or shuffle setting, video display, and audio levels. Play enough of the content to confirm it works rather than relying only on a static preview.
- Run a short test before resuming. OBS’s Quick Start Guide recommends testing settings for a few minutes before a first stream or recording. Apply that check after a restore too, before returning to the always-on schedule.
Common backup and recovery problems
- Scenes are missing after importing a Profile: Profiles do not store scenes. Load or restore the matching Scene Collection separately.
- Stream or output settings are missing after loading a Scene Collection: Scene Collections do not store output settings. Import the matching Profile as well.
- A playlist source appears but media will not play: The media files may not have been copied, or the saved paths may point to the old machine. Copy the files and correct the paths.
- A VLC playlist source cannot be used on the restored machine: Confirm VLC is installed, then check the source and its playlist entries.
- Portable Mode works but the videos do not: Portable Mode does not package the referenced media. Keep media files in a separately backed-up location and make their paths usable on the restored device.
- The wrong channel setup appears: Check that you loaded the intended Profile and Scene Collection together, rather than a test or older version.
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