Before reinstalling OBS or replacing a failed drive, export the active OBS Profile and Scene Collection, then make separate copies of the video and other files those scenes use. Keep the exports and media somewhere outside the computer you are protecting; a backup left only on that machine will not help if its drive fails.
The two OBS exports preserve different parts of a setup, and neither includes the loop video itself. Restore both, reconnect any missing media, and test the picture and sound in YouTube Live Control Room before returning to the schedule.
What to back up before a reinstall or drive failure
Think of the setup as three related but separate things: OBS settings, the scene-and-source arrangement, and the files those sources refer to. Backing up only one part can leave you with a configuration that imports but cannot reproduce the intended broadcast.
An OBS Profile contains most of the settings related to outputs, including stream, video and output settings. A Scene Collection contains scenes, sources and global audio sources. Since OBS offers separate export options for these, save both when you want to rebuild the whole arrangement. The OBS Profiles guide and Scene Collections guide describe the two exports.
Then list the assets your scenes use. For a devotional loop, that might mean the main video, a logo image and a separate audio track. An ambience stream might have several video or sound files, while a local news loop could include a holding slide and programme segments. Include any other referenced media, not just the file currently visible in the preview.
A backup checklist for a typical loop-stream computer is:
| Item | What it preserves | What it does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Profile export | Most output-related settings, including stream, video and output values | Your scenes, source layout and media files |
| Scene Collection export | Scenes, sources and global audio sources | Profile settings and the files referenced by sources |
| Separate media copy | Loop video, audio, images and other referenced assets | OBS configuration and YouTube channel access |
| YouTube access details | The ability to manage the stream and its key | A working OBS setup or a copy of the media |
This distinction also helps you set priorities. If you have only a short window to prepare for maintenance, export the active Profile and Scene Collection, then secure another copy of the irreplaceable video and audio. Follow up with a more complete inventory of overlays, alternate scenes and any special sources.
For a broader continuity plan, consider how the local setup fits with using a backup YouTube ingest server for a continuous stream in India. An ingest fallback can help with a connection or endpoint problem, but it is not a replacement for copies of your OBS settings and media.
Export the OBS Profile
In OBS, open the Profile menu and export the Profile that is currently in use. Give the file a descriptive name that identifies the channel or computer and the date you made the copy. For example, Bhajan-channel-studio-PC-2026-10-04 is easier to identify later than Profile 1.
A Profile export is the settings half of the backup. It can save most output-related settings, but it is not a copy of the entire OBS installation, a guarantee that every device will behave the same after a hardware change, or a substitute for the Scene Collection. Save each Profile you actually rely on, such as a separate one used for testing, if losing it would make recovery harder.
Treat the exported file as sensitive. YouTube describes a stream key as the password and address for a stream. If you store an export where other people can access it, consider that stream credentials may be exposed; avoid posting it publicly or sending it casually. See YouTube's guidance on stream settings and key management. If you suspect the key has been compromised, reset it in Live Control Room and update the encoder before broadcasting.
Do not assume an export is a permanent snapshot of your current setup. If you change output settings, switch to a different Profile or update stream credentials, make a fresh export and replace or clearly label the previous copy. Keeping older versions can be useful, but the filenames should make it obvious which one is current so you do not restore stale settings by mistake.
Export the Scene Collection
Open the Scene Collection menu and export the active collection separately. If you use more than one collection—for example, a main loop and a maintenance scene—export each one you would need to restore. Use names that describe their purpose, not just the order in which they appear in OBS.
The collection records the arrangement of scenes and sources, including global audio sources. It does not make the referenced image, video or audio files part of the export. A collection may therefore open without the expected picture if OBS cannot find the file at the path saved in the source. You still need an independent media copy and a plan for reconnecting it.
You can think of the Profile as the broadcast-related settings and the Scene Collection as the stage arrangement. If you restore one without the other, you may get a partial result: the right scenes with the wrong output configuration, or output settings without the scene layout you expect. Keep both exports together as a labelled pair, while still storing the media files separately.
After exporting, take a moment to check the names and locations of the files. If you are preparing several channels or computers, put the channel identity in each filename or folder. That small bit of labelling makes it less likely that you import a collection from a different stream during a rushed recovery.
Copy loop media and other source files separately
Find the actual files used by each media source and copy them independently of the OBS exports. Include the full loop video, audio tracks, images, logos, overlays and any alternate clips needed for normal operation. If you use a playlist or a sequence of files, account for every item rather than assuming that one export represents the whole programme.
A useful way to do this is to inspect the sources in each scene and note the file location shown for each media item. Copy the files into a clearly named folder structure, such as a channel folder with separate subfolders for video, audio and images. You do not need to reorganise a working installation just to make a backup, but the copy should be understandable enough that you can identify the right assets during restoration.
Keep paths stable where practical. If the original source points to a file on a drive that will not be present after a reinstall, the imported scene may still point to the old location. You can preserve the folder arrangement in the backup and restore it to a known location, then inspect and correct the source paths in OBS. An export that imports successfully is not proof that the media is present or that the scene will play.
OBS Portable Mode is sometimes mistaken for a complete portable backup. OBS documents Portable Mode as a way to keep configuration with an application on Windows, but it does not package the media used by scenes, and OBS does not support this mode on macOS or Linux. Read the OBS Portable Mode documentation before choosing it for a Windows arrangement. It is a deployment choice, not a reason to skip separate media copies or off-computer storage.
For a large library, an external drive can make the media copy easier to carry, but a single drive can itself be lost or damaged. If the video is difficult to replace, consider keeping another copy in a separate location or managed backup destination. The right choice depends on how much content you need to preserve and how quickly you could recreate it; OBS does not require a particular storage device.
Store copies outside the streaming computer
A backup stored only on the computer being protected disappears from reach if that computer's drive fails, is stolen or is erased during a reinstall. Copy the Profile export, Scene Collection export and media folder to a removable drive or a managed backup destination separate from the machine. For content that would be costly to recreate, keep more than one copy if practical, with at least one copy not permanently attached to the streaming computer.
A USB flash drive can be convenient for small exports, but the choice of device is yours; OBS does not require one. For large loop videos, check that your chosen destination has room for the files and can be read by the computer you expect to restore on. Do not make a last-minute format or drive change without confirming that the backup copy remains accessible.
Use labels and a simple inventory. Record the channel or computer, backup date, names of the Profile and Scene Collection exports, and the location of the media copy. If you have a regular schedule, refresh the backup when you make a meaningful change, such as replacing the loop, editing an overlay, adding a scene or changing the stream output configuration.
OBS also offers a way to locate its settings folder through File > Show Settings Folder. A manual copy of local configuration can be an additional recovery aid, but folder locations and contents depend on the installation and platform. Use the in-app Profile and Scene Collection exports as the clear, separate baseline, and do not treat a folder copy as proof that you have all the assets needed to restore the broadcast.
A YouTube replay is not a dependable substitute for keeping the original media. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours can be automatically archived, recommends keeping a local archive, and warns that streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured at all. Check YouTube's archive guidance and retain the source video independently if you need it for future broadcasts.
Restore settings and media paths
On the replacement or reinstalled computer, install OBS from the official source and import the Profile and Scene Collection separately using their respective menu options. Start with the labelled pair you intend to use. If you kept multiple dated versions, confirm that you are selecting the latest one for the channel rather than an older test configuration.
Inspect the Profile after import. Check the stream destination and key, output settings and video values against the intended setup. Do not assume that a restored key is still current or that settings from the old computer suit new hardware. If you changed the stream key in YouTube, update OBS accordingly; if the encoder or capture hardware changed, review the relevant settings rather than carrying them over unexamined.
Next, inspect the Scene Collection. Open the scenes you use in the normal schedule and check each media source. If OBS reports missing files or a source is blank, browse to the restored copy and point the source to the correct path. Confirm that audio devices and other hardware-dependent sources are available. Their names and behaviour may differ after a device or computer change.
Keep the restored copy and the original backup distinct until the new setup is verified. This gives you a way back if you accidentally save over the wrong source path or discover that you imported an outdated collection. Once the channel is running as expected, make a fresh backup of the restored configuration so that its filenames and media locations match the new machine.
For channels with several programmes or languages, write down the intended scene order and audio choices as part of your inventory. That is especially useful if a collection has many similar sources. If subtitles are part of your workflow, the guide to preparing subtitles for a YouTube Live replay can help you think through that separate content requirement; it does not replace checking the OBS sources themselves.
Test the restored setup before resuming
Do not treat an import that completes without an error as a successful recovery. Open the scenes used in the scheduled loop, watch the preview long enough to confirm that the intended video is moving, and listen for the correct audio. Check overlays, transitions and any holding or maintenance scene that viewers may see if the loop is interrupted.
Then confirm that the intended stream is selected and inspect the YouTube Live Control Room preview before making the broadcast public or returning to the usual schedule. YouTube recommends checking the preview and monitoring stream quality. Its live streaming tips are useful when validating the outgoing picture and sound. A saved Profile cannot tell you whether the computer is actually sending the picture you expect.
If possible, test after a meaningful change rather than waiting until the old computer is unavailable. A deliberate restore check can expose a forgotten media path or an obsolete key while you still have access to the working setup. Make a note of anything that required manual correction, then update the backup folder and its inventory.
You may also want a separate continuity plan for interruptions. OBS has automatic reconnect settings, but reconnect behaviour addresses a dropped connection, not the loss of configuration or source files. For an always-on channel, review the wider options for keeping a 24/7 stream playing while your computer sleeps as a distinct operational question. StreamNeo can remove the need to keep this particular loop running from the local computer, but it does not remove the need to retain original media and credentials securely.
Before committing, compare the operating options on the pricing page. When the file and channel are ready, start free — 24-hour trial, no card.
FAQ
Do I need to export both the Profile and Scene Collection?
Yes, if you want to preserve both output-related settings and the scene/source arrangement. They are separate exports and cover different parts of the setup. You still need separate copies of the media files they reference.
Does the Scene Collection include my loop video?
No. The collection saves scenes and sources, but the media file those sources point to must be backed up separately. After importing, check each source path and reconnect files if they have moved.
Is OBS Portable Mode a backup of everything?
No. It can keep OBS configuration alongside the application in a Windows Portable Mode arrangement, but it does not make referenced media portable, and OBS does not support Portable Mode on macOS or Linux. Keep off-computer copies of both configuration exports and the source files you need.
Can I rely on YouTube's replay as the only copy of a long stream?
No. YouTube's archive guidance says streams exceeding 12 hours may not be captured, and recommends a local archive. Keep the original loop media and configuration backups independently of YouTube's replay.