On Windows, you can launch OBS at sign-in by placing an OBS shortcut in the Startup folder, or use Task Scheduler for more control. Add OBS’s --startstreaming launch argument to have OBS begin sending video when it opens. For a scheduled YouTube broadcast to go live automatically, enable Auto-start for that broadcast in YouTube Studio too: OBS starting its encoder and YouTube making the event live are separate steps.
Before you automate OBS
First, verify the normal setup manually. In OBS, select the intended scene and profile, then configure the YouTube connection with the Live server URL and stream key. YouTube’s encoder setup explains where to find those connection details: YouTube encoder setup. Treat the stream key like a password: do not share or publish it.
Confirm that OBS can send video to the intended YouTube broadcast and that the correct scene appears before configuring unattended startup. The launch argument starts streaming from OBS; it does not create a YouTube event or choose one for you.
Option 1: Start OBS when you sign in to Windows
- Open the Startup folder. Press
Windows+R, entershell:startup, and press Enter. This opens the Startup folder for the currently signed-in Windows user. - Add an OBS shortcut. Create or copy a shortcut to OBS into that folder. To locate the OBS executable, use the shortcut you already use to start OBS and inspect its target, or locate
obs64.exein your OBS installation folder. - Add the streaming argument. Open the shortcut’s Properties. In the Target field, retain the executable path and append
--startstreamingafter it, outside the closing quotation mark. For example:"C:PathToobs64.exe" --startstreaming. Use the actual path on your PC. - Save and test at sign-in. Apply the change, sign out or restart Windows, sign back in, and check that OBS opens and begins transmitting. Confirm the YouTube broadcast state as well.
This method runs when the Windows user signs in. It is not the same as starting OBS as soon as the PC powers on; if no one signs in, a Startup-folder shortcut may not run.
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Option 2: Use Task Scheduler
Task Scheduler is an alternative when you need a scheduled launch or more control over how OBS starts. The available OBS guidance does not establish every Task Scheduler option for every Windows configuration, so choose a trigger and login behavior that match your setup rather than assuming one setting fits all.
- Create a task that launches OBS. In Task Scheduler, configure a task to run the OBS executable at the intended time or sign-in event.
- Set the program and argument separately. Use the full path to
obs64.exeas the program and enter--startstreamingas an argument. - Set the working directory. Set the task’s “Start in” or working-directory field to the folder containing
obs64.exe. OBS specifically calls out this requirement for scheduled or other automated launches in its launch-parameters documentation. - Test the task under the intended conditions. Run it and confirm OBS starts, connects, and sends the right scene to YouTube. Then test the relevant reboot and sign-in sequence.
Set YouTube Auto-start for a scheduled broadcast
If you use a scheduled YouTube event, Auto-start is a separate YouTube Studio setting. Enable it for the event if you want YouTube to make the broadcast live when OBS begins sending video. If Auto-start is off, OBS can transmit while the event still requires someone to click Go Live in YouTube Studio. YouTube’s scheduled-stream guidance describes this distinction: Schedule a live stream.
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For a regular Live Control Room workflow, do not assume that --startstreaming creates or selects a broadcast. The OBS parameter means OBS starts streaming; it does not promise that YouTube will create an event or make a particular event live.
Test recovery after a reboot
Before relying on this unattended, test the entire chain on your own PC: Windows startup or sign-in, OBS launch, network availability, encoder connection, and the YouTube event’s live state. A restart test is especially important if the stream supports a scheduled viewing or broadcast commitment.
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After a power failure, the PC may return before the modem or router has reconnected. An OBS launch at sign-in can therefore encounter a network connection failure. OBS community discussions describe delaying or restarting OBS after network access returns as a possible workaround, but behavior depends on the particular PC and network: OBS community discussion of restarting after a power failure.
Troubleshooting
- OBS opens, but does not start streaming: Check that
--startstreamingis in the shortcut target or Task Scheduler arguments, after the executable path. Confirm that OBS is configured with the intended YouTube server URL and stream key. - OBS sends video, but the scheduled event is not live: Check Auto-start for that scheduled broadcast. If it is disabled, a person must use Go Live in YouTube Studio.
- The task launches OBS unreliably or with unexpected behavior: Verify that the task’s working directory points to the folder containing
obs64.exe, as OBS requires for automated launches. - OBS starts before internet access is available: Check whether networking equipment is still reconnecting after reboot. Depending on the setup, delaying the launch or restarting OBS after internet access returns may help; test the approach rather than assuming it will recover automatically.
- The PC boots but OBS does not open: If you used the Startup folder, confirm that the intended Windows user actually signed in. That folder is a sign-in startup method, not a guarantee of launch before login.
- The wrong event or scene appears: Verify the scene and profile loaded by OBS and confirm the intended YouTube broadcast is selected. The launch parameter does not select a YouTube event for you.
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