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gaming streams

OBS Media Source Settings for a Continuous YouTube Gaming Rerun Stream

Enable Loop on an OBS Media Source for one gaming video, or Loop Playlist in VLC Video Source for multiple files. Learn the YouTube archive and rights limits too.

By DocumentaryTube Team 5 min read
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To loop one prerecorded gaming video in OBS, add a Media Source, select the local file, and turn on Loop. For a set of videos, use VLC Video Source and enable Loop Playlist. Keep the source visible in the scene you send to YouTube; looping and restarting when a source becomes active are separate settings.

Loop one gaming video in OBS

  1. Add the source: In the scene you plan to stream, select Sources → + → Media Source. Name it, then choose OK.
  2. Select the file: In the source properties, enable Local File and browse to your video. OBS documents support for video containers including MP4, TS, MOV, FLV, MKV, AVI, GIF, and WebM, and audio formats including MP3, AAC, OGG, and WAV. The exact files that play successfully can depend on your system and installed codecs.
  3. Enable looping: Turn on Loop. OBS documents this as replaying the file after playback completes; the default is off.
  4. Check visibility: Confirm the Media Source is visible in the scene that is live. A hidden source is not what viewers see.
  5. Test the ending: Preview the scene and let the file reach its end. Confirm it starts again before relying on the setup for a live broadcast.

Looping is not the same as restarting when visible

Loop controls what happens at the end of the file. Restart playback when source becomes active controls whether playback starts over when the source becomes active and visible. OBS documents the latter as on by default, while Loop is off by default. If you switch scenes or hide and show the source, decide whether you want playback to restart or preserve its position; check the setting and test those transitions in your installed OBS version.

Two other properties can affect what you see. Show nothing when playback ends hides the source at the end; with Loop enabled, it should not normally reach an unlooped end. Close file when inactive unloads the file when the source is hidden, which can add a short delay when it loads again.

Use a playlist for multiple gaming videos

  1. Install VLC before adding the source. In OBS, choose Sources → + → VLC Video Source. OBS requires VLC to be installed for this source to appear. For 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC.
  2. Add the video files to the playlist in the order you want them to play.
  3. Enable Loop Playlist so playback returns to the beginning after the list ends. OBS documents this option as on by default.
  4. Review Shuffle Playlist if order matters, and review Visibility Behaviour if the playlist may be hidden during scene changes. Preview the transitions before going live.

For a single supported local file, Media Source avoids the extra VLC dependency. VLC Video Source is the more suitable choice when you need a list of files or its extended media support.

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Send the scene to YouTube

OBS plays the local media; YouTube receives the live output from OBS as an encoder stream. You need a channel eligible to stream: YouTube’s current help page says the channel must be verified and must not have live-streaming restrictions in the prior 90 days. Follow YouTube’s current encoder setup flow to connect OBS to the intended live event and start streaming; interface labels and availability can change.

Before starting, check that the correct scene is selected, the video is visible, and audio is present at the expected level. A successful local preview does not itself mean the YouTube broadcast has started: confirm the live event is receiving the encoder feed.

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Archive, copyright, and monetization limits

A long live stream may not become a complete archive

YouTube says it can automatically archive live streams under 12 hours, but a stream exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. If preserving the full rerun matters, make a local recording as a backup rather than relying on YouTube’s archive. See YouTube’s Archive live streams guidance.

Confirm rights to everything in the stream

YouTube’s Live Stream Terms and Conditions put responsibility on the provider to hold the rights needed for the live content, including relevant music rights. Check permissions for game footage, soundtrack music, overlays, and other third-party material; the fact that a game can be played or a video file can be looped does not establish streaming rights.

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Looping does not establish monetization eligibility

YouTube’s monetization policy update dated July 15, 2025 clarifies that monetized content is expected to be original and authentic, not mass-produced, generic, or repetitive. Repetitive material with little variation and minimal educational, narrative, or commentary value may not be eligible. Whether a particular gaming rerun or channel qualifies depends on the content and YouTube’s review, not on an OBS setting. YouTube also says ad slots are not guaranteed to serve, so a continuous stream does not guarantee revenue. Read the current YouTube channel monetization policies and manage live stream monetization guidance.

Troubleshoot a rerun that will not loop or play

  • The video stops at the end: Open Media Source properties and enable Loop. For a playlist, enable Loop Playlist.
  • The source is missing from the live output: Check that it is visible in the active scene and that the intended scene is the one being sent to YouTube.
  • The video starts over after a scene change: Review Restart playback when source becomes active. It controls activation behavior, not end-of-file looping.
  • The file pauses or reloads when hidden: Review Close file when inactive and the VLC source’s visibility behavior. Test the transition; reloading can cause a short delay.
  • VLC Video Source is unavailable: Install VLC and restart or reopen OBS if needed. Ensure VLC and OBS are both 64-bit when using 64-bit OBS.
  • YouTube has no archive of the whole broadcast: Streams longer than 12 hours may not be captured. Make a local recording if you need a dependable copy.
  • The broadcast is interrupted or content is claimed: Check YouTube’s live-stream status and review rights for all video, music, and other third-party elements. Loop settings cannot resolve a restriction or rights issue.
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