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To restart an EC2-hosted YouTube stream after a reboot, configure two separate things: the instance’s startup mechanism must run your launch command on every boot, and OBS must be launched with its streaming option enabled. AWS user data is generally first-boot-only unless you configure recurring execution; OBS’s --startstreaming parameter starts streaming when OBS launches. Neither setting proves that YouTube will resume the same live session after a disconnect.
What this setup does—and what it cannot guarantee
The automation has two layers. First, EC2’s operating system startup agent runs a command after the instance boots. Second, that command launches OBS so it can start streaming. Configure both layers for the OS and launch agent actually installed on your instance.
These documented mechanisms can automate startup and tell OBS to start streaming. They do not establish that the correct OBS profile or stream key loaded, that the network was ready, or that YouTube resumed the same live event. Check the startup output, OBS logs, and YouTube Live Control Room before treating a reboot recovery as successful. The sources cited here do not verify YouTube’s reconnect window or session-resumption behavior.
Before configuring startup
- Identify whether your EC2 instance runs Windows or Linux.
- On Windows, identify the installed launch agent: EC2Launch v2, EC2Launch v1, or the older EC2Config service. Persistence settings differ; do not apply one agent’s syntax to another.
- Confirm which OS account and session can access the OBS installation and its intended profile. A process running as a service or System account may not behave like OBS launched in an interactive desktop session.
- Keep your YouTube stream key out of scripts, logs, screenshots, and publicly visible user data.
Configure recurring startup on Windows EC2
AWS documents several recurring user-data options, depending on the launch agent. Choose the one that matches your instance rather than combining them.
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| Launch agent or format | Recurring option documented by AWS |
|---|---|
| EC2Launch v2 YAML | Set the task frequency to always. |
| Windows XML user-data script | Include <persist>true</persist>. |
| EC2Launch v1 | Use the -SchedulePerBoot option. |
| Older EC2Config service | Do not assume the v1 or v2 settings apply; identify the installed service and consult its applicable AWS guidance. |
Configure the recurring startup task to launch OBS with the desired profile and arguments. AWS notes that Windows user-data execution may run as Local Administrator or System depending on password-generation conditions. Match the task’s account and session to the OBS installation and profile you intend to use; an interactive desktop dependency can make a background startup task behave differently.
Configure recurring startup on Linux EC2
By default, Linux user-data scripts and cloud-init directives run only during the initial launch. AWS says subsequent-boot behavior must be configured separately. Linux user-data scripts execute as root and do not accept interactive input, so plan for a non-interactive startup process and ensure it can access the required OBS configuration.
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An operating-system service is another possible startup mechanism, but the AWS and OBS documentation cited here do not provide a service-unit recipe. Do not treat a first-boot user-data script as a reboot scheduler unless you have explicitly configured recurring execution.
Tell OBS to start streaming when launched
OBS documents --startstreaming as a launch parameter that automatically starts streaming. This is the encoder-start step; it does not schedule OBS to launch when EC2 boots.
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- Use your Windows or Linux startup mechanism to launch the intended OBS installation and profile.
- Include
--startstreamingin the OBS launch command or shortcut arguments. - On Windows, set the automated launch’s working directory to the folder containing
obs64.exe, as OBS recommends for scheduled or automated launches. - Confirm the profile has the intended stream configuration without exposing the stream key in the startup command or logs.
OBS’s launch parameter only describes OBS behavior. It does not confirm that the EC2 task ran, that the right profile loaded, that connectivity was available, or that YouTube restored an existing live event.
Verify the reboot recovery
- Reboot the instance and confirm that it completes startup.
- Check the relevant startup-agent output log for errors or evidence that the recurring task ran.
- Check OBS logs and the desktop or process environment for evidence that OBS launched with the expected profile and streaming parameter.
- Check YouTube Live Control Room to determine whether a stream is actually active and whether it is associated with the intended live event.
Useful AWS startup logs include:
- Linux:
/var/log/cloud-init-output.log - Windows with EC2Launch v2:
C:ProgramDataAmazonEC2Launchlogagent.log - Windows with EC2Launch v1:
C:ProgramDataAmazonEC2-WindowsLaunchLogUserdataExecution.log
Troubleshoot common failures
| Symptom | Likely issue to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| OBS starts after the first launch but not after a reboot. | User data may still be configured for first boot only, or the wrong launch-agent persistence option may have been used. | Identify the Windows launch agent or review the Linux cloud-init configuration; check its startup output log. |
| The startup task runs, but OBS does not appear or cannot use its profile. | The task may run under a different account or session from the intended OBS installation. | Match the task’s account and session to the profile and installation, and inspect startup-agent and OBS logs. |
| OBS opens but does not start streaming. | The launch parameter may be missing, or the intended profile/configuration may not have loaded. | Verify the launch includes --startstreaming and review OBS logs and the loaded profile. |
| OBS reports streaming, but YouTube does not show the expected live event. | OBS startup alone does not establish YouTube session continuity or event association. | Check YouTube Live Control Room. The documented startup settings do not answer whether YouTube will resume the same session. |
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Documentation
- AWS: Run commands on your Windows instance at launch
- AWS: User data and cloud-init
- OBS Project: Launch Parameters
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