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To stream a pre-recorded playlist with OBS, add the videos to OBS Studio’s VLC Video Source, enable its playlist loop and embedded subtitles, then send the output to a YouTube Live event using that event’s server URL and stream key. This puts subtitles visibly into the video. If you need viewers to be able to turn captions on and off in YouTube, you must also send a separate live-caption feed through a YouTube-supported method; OBS’s rendered subtitles do not automatically become a selectable caption track.
Choose how subtitles should appear
There are two different outcomes that are easy to confuse:
- Subtitles rendered in the picture: OBS displays an embedded subtitle track over the video, and viewers see it as part of the stream image.
- A selectable YouTube live caption track: Caption data is sent separately to YouTube through a supported live-caption workflow, so viewers can use YouTube’s caption controls.
OBS’s documented VLC Video Source supports displaying an embedded subtitle track. YouTube separately says that live captions must be sent to YouTube. The documented OBS subtitle display setting does not establish that rendered subtitles are also delivered as a selectable YouTube caption track. If that distinction matters for accessibility or language choice, plan and test both paths.
Prepare your videos and subtitle files
For subtitles burned into the stream image
Use video files with the subtitle track embedded in the media. The OBS VLC Video Source can select an embedded subtitle track. The cited OBS instructions describe embedded tracks, not how to load a separate SRT sidecar file into the VLC playlist, so do not assume that adding an SRT beside a video is sufficient.
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For selectable live captions
Arrange a separate caption-delivery path using YouTube’s documented options: captions embedded in the encoder output as EIA 608/CEA 708, or YouTube’s captions ingestion URL with supported software. YouTube currently documents one embedded caption track and one caption feed per stream entry point. Confirm the options available in YouTube Studio and compatibility with your caption software before the event.
Set up the playlist in OBS Studio
- Install VLC and OBS. OBS requires VLC to be installed for the VLC Video Source to be available. On 64-bit systems, use VLC and OBS builds with matching architecture.
- Add the source. In OBS, add a VLC Video Source to the scene that will be streamed.
- Add and order the media. Add the local video files in the order you want viewers to see them. Leave shuffle off if sequence matters.
- Set looping. Enable Loop Playlist if the list should begin again after the final item. Check the source configuration for the exact label in your installed OBS version.
- Enable the embedded subtitle track. Turn on Subtitles Enabled and choose the intended Subtitle Track. Preview the scene and confirm that the subtitles are legible and appear at the right times.
- Check audio and transitions. Play through each item in OBS and verify that audio is present, levels are appropriate, and the next file begins as intended.
Create the YouTube Live event and connect OBS
- In YouTube Studio, open Go Live and create a stream, or open the Manage tab to schedule one. Interface labels may change.
- Copy the event’s YouTube Live server URL and stream key into OBS’s stream settings. YouTube’s encoder instructions require both values.
- Treat the stream key like a password. Do not publish it or show it in a recording or screen share. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube Studio and update OBS.
- Start streaming from OBS and check the YouTube Live Control Room preview and stream health. For a scheduled event, YouTube’s instructions say to wait for the preview and then click Go live in Studio.
Send selectable captions separately, if needed
For a YouTube caption track rather than subtitles baked into the image, configure the supported caption workflow in YouTube Live and use compatible caption software to send the feed. YouTube documents embedded EIA 608/CEA 708 captions or a captions ingestion URL; consult its current live-caption instructions for setup details and supported software. Verify the selectable track on the watch page during a private or otherwise appropriate test. Do not rely on the OBS subtitle overlay alone to create it.
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Test before the scheduled stream
- Confirm the playlist order, shuffle setting, and loop behavior.
- Check every video’s picture, audio, and subtitle timing in the OBS preview.
- Check that YouTube receives the encoder stream and that the Control Room preview is correct.
- If you configured separate captions, confirm that the caption track is available and readable on the watch page.
- Monitor stream health during the event. YouTube recommends testing encoder settings and monitoring the stream.
YouTube’s encoder setup guide says streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived. That is not a reason to assume an indefinitely running playlist will produce an archive; plan around YouTube’s stated duration and verify the current archive behavior for your event.
Troubleshooting
The VLC Video Source is missing
Install VLC and check that its architecture matches OBS, especially on a 64-bit system. Restart OBS and check the source list again.
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The playlist does not repeat or plays in the wrong order
Reopen the VLC Video Source properties. Enable Loop Playlist, turn shuffle off when sequence matters, and review the media list’s order.
Subtitles do not appear
Check that the file contains an embedded subtitle track, enable Subtitles Enabled, and select the correct Subtitle Track. A separate sidecar SRT is not covered by the cited playlist instructions; use a supported preparation or caption workflow rather than assuming OBS will load it automatically.
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Viewers cannot turn captions on in YouTube
Subtitles visible in the image are not the same as a selectable caption track. Configure and test a separate YouTube-supported caption feed using compatible software.
YouTube does not show the stream preview
Confirm that OBS has the correct event server URL and stream key, that the encoder is sending, and that the event is open in Live Control Room. Replace an exposed or incorrect key in Studio and update OBS.
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Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo keeps an uploaded playlist looping to YouTube from the cloud. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it plays uploaded videos rather than broadcasting a camera. Subtitles rendered into a video file remain part of that video, but for a selectable YouTube caption track you still need a supported caption-delivery path and should test it separately.
- Any uploaded quality up to 4K 60fps streams as made at one flat price per slot, with no re-encode or quality tiers.
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