To keep prerecorded videos looping in an OBS stream, add them to an OBS VLC Video source, enable Loop Playlist, and connect OBS to YouTube with your stream URL and stream key. This keeps the local OBS playlist repeating; it does not automatically mirror changes to a playlist on YouTube. For a true 24/7 operation, OBS must keep running and the stream should be monitored.
What “in sync” means in OBS
There are two different playlists involved. An OBS VLC Video source can play a list of media files stored on your computer and loop through them. A YouTube playlist is a separate list on your channel. OBS’s documented VLC playlist controls do not establish automatic importing or mirroring of YouTube playlist changes.
The stream connection is separate, too: the VLC source determines what viewers see, while YouTube’s server URL and stream key connect the encoder to YouTube. If you add, remove, or reorder a file in the OBS source, you are maintaining that local list—not changing a YouTube playlist.
Set up a looping playlist in OBS
- Install VLC. OBS requires VLC to be installed for its VLC Video source to work. Download and install it before configuring the source. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
- Add the source. In the OBS scene you intend to stream, use the Sources panel’s add control and choose VLC Video. Add the video files to the source’s playlist in the order you want them to play.
- Set repeat and order. In the source properties, leave Loop Playlist enabled to restart the list after its final item. Turn off Shuffle Playlist if the files should play in their listed order. OBS documents looping as on and shuffle as off by default, but verify both settings rather than relying on defaults.
- Choose what happens when the source is hidden. OBS documents options to continue, pause, or stop playback when the source is not visible. The documented default is to stop when hidden and restart when visible. If changing scenes hides the source, choose the behavior that matches your intended playback and test it. The OBS Sources Guide explains source visibility behavior.
- Connect OBS to YouTube. In YouTube Live Control Room, obtain the stream URL and stream key, then enter them in OBS’s stream settings. The key is a credential that directs the encoder feed to your YouTube stream; keep it private. If it is compromised, reset it in Live Control Room and update OBS. See YouTube’s guides to creating a live stream with an encoder and managing live stream settings.
- Preview before relying on it. Start the encoder, check the Live Control Room preview, confirm the event is accessible to the intended audience, and monitor picture and sound. If you have a backup encoder, test failover. YouTube recommends these checks in its streaming tips.
Keep the playlist and stream running reliably
Maintain the OBS list separately
When your video selection changes, update the VLC Video source’s local playlist. The documented OBS controls cover playback, looping, shuffle, and visibility; they do not document automatic synchronization with a YouTube playlist. If you need automatic list updates, treat that as a separate workflow requirement and verify any third-party tool’s capabilities before relying on it.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Account for the computer running OBS
With this setup, OBS and the media files run on your computer. Keeping the stream going therefore depends on that computer, OBS, VLC, the network connection, and the source remaining available. A loop setting repeats media but does not itself provide continuous-operation guarantees.
Understand YouTube’s archive note
YouTube’s encoder guide says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. That statement does not establish that one stream can run indefinitely or guarantee uninterrupted playback. Plan to check the live feed rather than treating a looping playlist as proof of a 24/7 connection.
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Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| VLC Video is unavailable or does not play | VLC may not be installed, or the source may not have the intended media files. | Install VLC, reopen the OBS source properties, and confirm the playlist entries. |
| The list stops at its last item | Loop Playlist is off. | Enable the loop option in the VLC Video source properties. |
| Videos play in an unexpected order | Shuffle Playlist is enabled or the list order is not what you intended. | Disable shuffle for listed order and review the file sequence. |
| Playback stops after a scene change | The source is hidden and configured to stop when not visible. | Adjust its visibility behavior or keep it visible in the scenes used for the stream, then test a scene switch. |
| YouTube does not receive the encoder feed | The stream URL or key may be incorrect, outdated, or associated with a different stream. | Check the current URL and key in Live Control Room and OBS. If the key may have been exposed, reset it and replace it in OBS. |
| The stream appears live but viewers cannot access it, or audio/video is wrong | The event’s access settings or the encoder output may not match your intent. | Use the Live Control Room preview, verify event accessibility, and monitor audio and video before leaving the stream unattended. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you do not want OBS and your computer to host the continuous stream, StreamNeo runs uploaded videos or a playlist from the cloud to YouTube. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; your video streams as uploaded at any quality up to 4K 60fps for one flat price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly pricing is $9.99 per month. Start your free day with StreamNeo.
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