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How to Keep a Restream YouTube Stream Running When Your Computer Is Off

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Yes—Restream can broadcast a scheduled prerecorded video or playlist to YouTube while your computer is off. Upload the media to Restream, create a prerecorded livestream event, choose YouTube, and set its date and time. Restream says the event starts automatically while you are offline. This does not apply to a live OBS or RTMP feed: an encoder must be running and sending video for that kind of event.

Schedule a prerecorded YouTube livestream in Restream

  1. Open the prerecorded workflow. In Restream, choose New Stream → Pre-recorded livestream → Video, or select Playlist if you want to combine several files.
  2. Add your media. Choose a recording already uploaded to Restream or upload a source video. For a playlist, arrange the files in the intended order and preview the assembled stream.
  3. Set up the event. Enter its title, description, date, and time. Select your connected YouTube channel, then create the event. Restream also offers an option to publish an announcement post on YouTube during event creation.
  4. Check channel eligibility and file requirements. Confirm that YouTube live streaming is enabled for your channel and that the media meets Restream’s upload requirements below.
  5. Let Restream run it. The scheduled prerecorded event starts automatically; your computer does not need to stay on. You may monitor the event and chat in Restream while it is live, but monitoring is optional.

Choose prerecorded playback or a live encoder

Workflow Source Must your computer stay on? Best fit
Prerecorded video or playlist Media uploaded to Restream No. Restream stores the media and starts the broadcast on schedule. An unattended scheduled broadcast of a recording or playlist.
Encoder/RTMP event A live feed from OBS or another encoder Yes. The encoder computer must be active and sending the feed. A genuinely live broadcast that needs an encoder.

If you need a genuinely live feed

Schedule the event, copy the RTMP URL and stream key shown on that specific event card into OBS or your other encoder, and start sending the feed at the event time. Use that event’s key: an outdated or different key may create a separate stream instead of joining the scheduled event. Turning off the encoder computer stops its contribution to the live broadcast.

Prepare the video and check YouTube

Restream file requirements

Restream’s prerecorded upload guidance lists MP4, MOV, M4V, and MKV containers, H.264 video, AAC audio, and a 2-second keyframe interval as mandatory. It recommends Full HD 1080p at 30 or 60 FPS and constant bitrate (CBR). Restream also recommends adding 15–20 seconds at the beginning and end so platform processing does not cut off important content.

YouTube live eligibility and stream settings

Restream’s YouTube guidance says live streaming must be enabled on the channel. For a first stream, it says YouTube requires phone verification followed by a 24-hour wait. Check your channel’s current live-streaming status and settings before scheduling. Restream lists H.264, CBR, a 2-second keyframe interval, and AAC or MP3 audio among YouTube’s recommendations.

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Duration and archives

Restream says its playlists can run for up to 24 hours. Its YouTube guidance says streams under 12 hours are archived; that archive threshold is not a stated maximum live-stream duration. If the broadcast needs to run longer, check how YouTube will handle the archive and confirm Restream’s current event limits before scheduling.

Check Restream plan limits before committing

Restream’s prerecorded-event help says the feature is available to all users, while video-library capacity and storage depend on the add-on tier. Its listed examples are mutable plan details, so verify the limits shown for your account before relying on a particular duration, resolution, or loop count.

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Restream tier named in its help Listed video-library capacity Listed maximum resolution Looping
Premier 2 hours Up to 1080p Not listed for this tier in the cited event guide.
Marathon 4 hours Up to 1080p Available.
Media 12 hours Up to 4K Available.

Restream’s event guide says a video can be looped up to 10 times. It also says free users’ event thumbnails carry Restream branding. Confirm current account-specific limits and branding before creating an event.

Troubleshoot a scheduled stream that does not start as expected

  • The stream does not start while your computer is off: Check whether you created a prerecorded event or an encoder/RTMP event. Only the uploaded-media workflow starts without an active encoder; an RTMP event needs OBS or another encoder to send its feed.
  • The broadcast appears as a separate stream instead of the scheduled event: For an encoder event, verify that OBS uses the RTMP URL and stream key on that event’s card, not an older or different key.
  • You cannot schedule a first YouTube livestream: Check that live streaming is enabled and complete YouTube’s phone verification and activation wait if this is the channel’s first stream. Restream describes a 24-hour wait for first-time activation.
  • The upload is rejected or plays incorrectly: Check the container, H.264 video, AAC audio, and 2-second keyframe interval against Restream’s mandatory upload requirements. Also verify the media’s duration and resolution against your account’s current limits.
  • Important opening or closing content is missing: Restream recommends adding 15–20 seconds of extra video at both ends to allow for platform processing.
  • The playlist or loop will not fit the plan: Check the current video-library capacity, resolution allowance, and whether looping is included for your account. Restream’s guide lists playlists up to 24 hours and video looping up to 10 times, but these details should be confirmed against current event limits.
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Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is a YouTube channel that stays live with uploaded videos, StreamNeo is another cloud option: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It loops the uploaded media from the cloud, so nothing has to stay on at home. StreamNeo supports the uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers, and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. In India, UPI works; cards are accepted worldwide. StreamNeo is for YouTube streams of uploaded videos, not camera-based live broadcasts. Learn about StreamNeo or start your free first day.

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