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To loop a pre-recorded video on YouTube Live with OBS, add it as a looping Media Source, choose an NVENC encoder in OBS, and set the output to match YouTube’s codec, resolution, frame-rate, and bitrate guidance. For multiple videos, use OBS’s VLC Video source with a looped playlist. “Nonstop” still depends on the computer, network, and stream remaining healthy, so test and monitor the broadcast.
1. Check that OBS can use NVENC
NVENC is NVIDIA’s hardware video encoder. OBS documents support on Windows and Linux, and its compatibility guide lists GeForce 750 Ti and 900-series or newer hardware. The guide dates to 2022; drivers and system support also matter, and older encoders may deliver lower image quality at the same bitrate. Confirm the installed encoder options before building the workflow around NVENC: in OBS, open Settings → Output and check the Encoder list. If no NVIDIA NVENC option appears, update the graphics driver and check that the GPU, operating system, and OBS installation support it. OBS hardware encoding compatibility.
2. Add the video and make it loop
One video file
- In OBS, select or create the scene you want to broadcast.
- In Sources, select + and choose Media Source.
- Name the source, then select OK.
- In the Media Source properties, enable Local File, browse to the video, and select it.
- Enable Loop, then select OK.
- Check the preview for framing and confirm that the video and its audio play as intended.
OBS Media Source supports formats including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM. If a file does not play, try a supported format and verify playback in the preview. OBS Media Sources guide.
Several videos
For a sequence, add a VLC Video source rather than stacking individual Media Sources. Add the files to its playlist and leave Loop Playlist enabled. VLC must be installed; 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Check the playlist order and preview transitions before going live. OBS Media Sources guide.
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3. Choose codec, resolution, frame rate, and bitrate
In OBS, open Settings → Output, set Output Mode to Advanced if needed to expose streaming options, and select the available NVIDIA NVENC encoder. Choose a codec supported by YouTube for the ingestion protocol you will use. YouTube’s current general guidance lists H.264, HEVC/H.265, and AV1 for RTMP/RTMPS and recommends RTMPS. Encoder availability varies by GPU and OBS installation, so use an option actually present in the encoder list.
Set the resolution and frame rate in OBS under Settings → Video, then choose the matching codec and resolution/frame-rate row in YouTube’s bitrate guidance. The figures below are YouTube recommendations, not guaranteed minimum upload speeds; allow network headroom and test at the intended quality.
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| Target | AV1 or HEVC/H.265 recommended bitrate | H.264 recommended bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p at 30 fps | 10 Mbps | 14 Mbps |
| 1080p at 60 fps | 12 Mbps | 17 Mbps |
For other targets, consult YouTube’s full table rather than extrapolating from these examples. YouTube recommends a constant bitrate (CBR) and a keyframe interval of 2 seconds; do not exceed 4 seconds. It also specifies progressive scan, two B-frames, AAC or MP3 audio, stereo audio at a recommended 128 Kbps, and Rec. 709 for SDR. Follow the table and instructions for your chosen codec and resolution. YouTube encoder settings, bitrates, and resolutions.
Do not copy OBS’s recording-quality settings into streaming output without checking the difference: the OBS advanced recording guide’s Constant QP 16–23 baseline is for recording, not a universal YouTube streaming setting. Its Advanced NVENC Options page is specific to OBS 31.0 and describes features whose availability depends on OBS version, codec, and GPU. OBS advanced recording settings guide · OBS Advanced NVENC Options.
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4. Connect OBS to the YouTube live event
- In YouTube Studio, open Create → Go live to enter the Live Control Room, then create or select the event.
- Copy the event’s stream URL and stream key from the stream settings.
- In OBS, open Settings → Stream, select YouTube or the appropriate service entry, and enter the server/stream URL and stream key. If using a service sign-in flow instead, follow the prompts and confirm the intended channel.
- Select Apply and OK. Treat the stream key like a password: anyone with it may be able to send video to your event. Do not publish or share it.
- Start streaming from OBS, then check the Live Control Room preview and status before starting the public event. Confirm moving video and audible sound arrive correctly.
Labels can vary with OBS and YouTube interface updates. Use the stream URL and key shown for the selected YouTube event; do not assume an old key or server address is still appropriate. YouTube Live Control Room stream settings · OBS streaming setup.
5. Test and monitor the broadcast
- Test the real workload: YouTube recommends testing before going live. Include representative motion and audio; a still image or silent test may not expose issues that occur in the actual programme.
- Check stream health and messages: watch the Live Control Room for warnings and confirm the incoming feed remains healthy.
- Monitor both ends: check OBS for encoder or dropped-frame warnings and YouTube for ingestion or playback problems. If the stream matters, prepare and test a backup encoder or recovery plan.
- Protect local files: if recording an archive locally, confirm the file is growing during the broadcast and verify it afterward.
- Plan for interruptions: a looping source repeats the video while OBS is running; it does not guarantee that the computer, OBS, internet connection, or YouTube ingest will remain uninterrupted indefinitely.
YouTube’s encoder guidance and streaming tips recommend monitoring stream quality and testing in advance.
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6. Understand the replay limit
YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. Its stated automatic-archive rule does not establish that a longer nonstop broadcast will produce one complete replay. If a complete replay matters and the planned event may exceed 12 hours, plan shorter segments and separately verify your archive needs. YouTube live stream archiving.
7. Common problems and fixes
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No NVENC option in OBS | GPU, driver, OS, or OBS build does not expose a supported encoder. | Check the GPU and driver support, update the driver, restart OBS, and recheck Settings → Output. |
| Video plays once and stops | Loop is not enabled on the Media Source. | Open the source properties and enable Loop. |
| Playlist ends instead of repeating | Playlist looping is disabled, or VLC dependency is missing or mismatched. | Enable Loop Playlist; install VLC matching OBS architecture (64-bit VLC for 64-bit OBS). |
| YouTube reports unstable or poor stream health | Upload capacity may not sustain the selected bitrate, or the output settings may not match YouTube’s recommendation. | Run a speed test, leave capacity margin, check the codec-specific bitrate row, and test again at the intended quality. |
| Black video, no audio, or wrong event preview | Source playback, audio routing, or the selected stream key/event may be wrong. | Check OBS’s preview and audio meters, verify the correct source and scene, then confirm the URL and key belong to the intended event. |
Or let it run in the cloud
If you want the pre-recorded stream to continue without leaving a home computer on, StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. The cloud loops the video; your computer and home connection do not have to stay on.
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- Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, looping and playlists, and support from the StreamNeo team.
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