First, find out where the black screen starts: watch OBS’s preview when one video ends, then compare it with a short local recording and YouTube’s Live Control Room preview. If OBS also goes black, check the source type, playlist, playback-end settings and visibility. If OBS output and the recording look right but YouTube does not, investigate the encoder and connection instead.
Diagnose where the black screen appears
A black interval at a video boundary does not, by itself, reveal the cause. Observe the OBS preview at the transition and, if possible, record a short test that includes it. Compare those results with YouTube playback.
- OBS preview and local recording both go black: Start with the media source, playlist and scene or source visibility.
- OBS output and recording look correct, but YouTube appears black: Check the encoder output, YouTube’s stream status and outbound connection.
- Only one viewer reports the issue: Their local playback or network may be involved. Reports from viewers on different connections can point toward an encoder issue, according to YouTube’s troubleshooting guidance.
This comparison helps narrow the investigation; it does not prove a single cause for every preview mismatch.
Choose the OBS source that matches your videos
| Setup | Best fit | Settings and requirements to check |
|---|---|---|
| One local file | One clip, including a file you want to repeat | Use Media Source; check Loop, “Show nothing when playback ends,” and source visibility. |
| Several local files | A multi-file playlist | Use VLC Video; check VLC installation, playlist contents and order, Loop Playlist, and Visibility Behaviour. |
| OBS looks healthy but YouTube does not | A problem appearing in delivery rather than local playback | Inspect encoder output, dashboard errors, CPU load and outbound internet connectivity. |
Fix a single file that goes black at the end
OBS Media Source plays local audio and video files. Its supported formats include MP4, MOV, MKV, MP3, AAC and WAV. Consult the OBS Media Sources guide for the documented options and format details.
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- Select the Media Source: In the OBS scene, select the source for the file you want to play.
- Check Loop: Turn it on if the same file should repeat.
- Review “Show nothing when playback ends”: This option is on by default and hides the source when the file finishes. If the file is meant to end and another source or scene should take over, check what is visible at that point. This setting is documented for playback end behavior; it is not a universal fix for gaps between playlist items.
- Test the ending: Record a short local test and watch the OBS preview as the file reaches its end.
Fix a multi-file playlist
For a sequence of local files, OBS documents VLC Video as the playlist-capable source. VLC must be installed. If you use 64-bit OBS, OBS specifies that you need 64-bit VLC. See the OBS Media Sources guide for source settings.
- Check the playlist: Confirm that it contains the intended files in the intended order.
- Check Loop Playlist: Enable it if the list should begin again after its final item.
- Review Visibility Behaviour: The source can continue, pause or stop when hidden. The default is to stop when it is not visible and restart when visible. Choose the behavior that fits your scene changes.
- Check the transition itself: Record or preview a test that runs through an actual handoff between files. OBS documents source and playback options but does not guarantee that every playlist will transition without a gap.
When OBS is fine but YouTube playback is not
If OBS output and the local archive look healthy while YouTube playback does not, investigate the delivery path rather than assuming the playlist is at fault. YouTube’s encoder troubleshooting guidance recommends checking the stream in the encoder and local archive, reviewing encoder errors and CPU load, and testing the outbound internet connection when encoder output appears healthy.
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- Check whether the encoder’s own output shows the black interval.
- Review errors or warnings in the YouTube stream dashboard and check CPU load.
- If the encoder picture is healthy, test outbound internet connectivity.
- Consider whether reports come from one viewer or multiple viewers on different connections; audience reports can help distinguish local playback trouble from a possible encoder issue.
Test the fix before a broadcast
Run a test long enough to include at least one real playlist boundary. Check the OBS preview or output, make a local recording, and inspect YouTube’s Live Control Room preview. YouTube recommends checking the preview before starting and testing a live stream; its live-streaming tips also advise monitoring audio and video quality during an event. A test is a way to verify your setup, not a guarantee that every future transition will be gapless.
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