To bring a containerized YouTube playlist encoder back after a server reboot, set a Docker Compose restart policy—usually unless-stopped—on its service, and make sure Docker Engine starts at boot. Then use docker compose up -d from the project directory. This restores the container process; it does not by itself prove that YouTube is receiving video or that the same viewer-facing live event has resumed.
Set a restart policy on the streaming service
Add the policy to the service that runs your existing playlist encoder in compose.yaml:
services:
streamer:
image: your-streamer-image
restart: unless-stopped
# Keep the existing command, stream configuration, and media mounts here.This example shows where the policy belongs, not a complete or tested encoder configuration. Keep your existing image, command, stream settings, and media mounts. The service name streamer is illustrative; substitute your Compose service name in later commands.
unless-stopped is a practical default when an intentional operator stop should remain in effect after Docker restarts. Use always instead if a container manually stopped before a reboot should be brought back when Docker restarts. Do not choose on-failure for reboot recovery alone: it responds to non-zero exits, not simply to a Docker daemon restart. Docker describes restart policies as controlling whether containers start automatically when they exit or when Docker restarts.
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Choose the policy that matches your stop behavior
| Policy | After daemon or host reboot | After a deliberate manual stop | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
unless-stopped |
Returns if it was not deliberately stopped | Stays stopped across a daemon restart | Operator stops should persist |
always |
Returns | Returns after a daemon restart | The container should return even if previously stopped |
on-failure |
Does not restart solely because of a daemon restart | Does not restart after a clean exit | Restart after failures, not for this reboot requirement |
Docker documents that restart-policy monitoring begins only after a container has run successfully for at least 10 seconds. It also notes that a manual stop suppresses restarts until the daemon restarts or the container is manually restarted. Factor those behaviors into your choice and operating procedure.
Make Docker and Compose apply the configuration
- Enable Docker Engine at host boot. A container policy cannot help if Docker itself is not running after the server starts. Confirm the boot-time service setting for your operating system and Docker installation.
- Save the Compose change. Make sure the policy is under the correct service in the Compose file used by this project.
- From the project directory, run
docker compose up -d. Compose uses the file to create or update services and run them in the background. Use this command when you have changed the Compose configuration. - Check the service with
docker compose ps. Confirm that the expected service exists and is running.
Do not use docker compose restart to apply a changed Compose definition: it restarts existing containers but does not apply configuration changes, including changed environment values. docker compose start only starts previously created, stopped containers; it does not create or update the service from a changed definition.
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Verify recovery after a reboot
- Check Docker and the container: from the Compose project directory, run
docker compose ps. If the service is absent or stopped, first check that Docker started and that you are in the correct project directory. - Read the encoder output: run
docker compose logs --tail=100 streamer, replacingstreamerwith the service name in your file. Look for startup errors, missing media, invalid configuration, or connection failures. - Verify mounted files and paths: confirm the playlist and any configuration files exist on the host and are mounted at the paths the encoder expects inside the container. A restart policy cannot repair a missing file, invalid command, expired credentials, or changed host path.
- Check YouTube Live separately: confirm that YouTube is receiving the encoder feed and inspect the status of the viewer-facing event. A running container shows only that the local service is running; it does not establish that YouTube’s incoming stream is active.
Understand the two YouTube resources
YouTube distinguishes the incoming liveStream, which represents the encoder feed, from the liveBroadcast, which represents the viewer-facing event. YouTube’s API documentation says an active stream status indicates its servers are receiving encoder data. Check the feed and the broadcast state independently rather than treating a healthy container as proof that viewers can see the event.
A restart policy recovers the container lifecycle, not every part of the live production. Docker and YouTube’s documentation do not guarantee that every third-party playlist encoder will resume at its previous playback position or that the same broadcast will continue seamlessly after a reboot. Check your encoder’s own documentation and test its behavior with your event setup.
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Troubleshoot a stream that does not return
- The container never appears: confirm Docker Engine starts at boot, then run
docker compose psfrom the directory containing the intended Compose project. If you changed the file, apply it withdocker compose up -d. - The container exits repeatedly: inspect
docker compose logs --tail=100 streamerfor the encoder’s specific error. The restart policy can relaunch an eligible container, but it cannot correct a bad command, invalid configuration, missing media, expired credentials, or an incorrect host mount. - The container is running but YouTube is not receiving video: check the encoder output and YouTube’s incoming stream status. Container state and YouTube ingest status are separate checks.
- The encoder feed is active but the event is unavailable or different: inspect the viewer-facing broadcast state separately. The incoming feed and the broadcast are distinct YouTube resources, and a container restart alone does not guarantee continuity of the same event.
- A manual stop was not respected as expected: review the policy.
alwayscan bring the container back after a daemon restart;unless-stoppedretains an intentional stop across that restart.
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