To loop several MP4 files in OBS, add a VLC Video Source, put the files in its playlist in the order you want, and leave Loop Playlist enabled. VLC must be installed separately, and its architecture must match OBS; for 64-bit OBS, OBS specifies 64-bit VLC.
For one file on repeat, use OBS’s Media Source instead. The playlist controls govern playback inside OBS, not whether YouTube stays live: you still need to configure the stream connection and test the complete setup.
Choose VLC Video Source for a playlist
A VLC Video Source is the right choice when you want a sequence such as an opening prayer, a set of bhajans, and a closing track to repeat from the beginning. Add the files as a playlist, arrange them in the desired order, and use the source’s playlist controls. OBS documents the Loop Playlist setting as enabled by default; check it rather than relying on a default, especially if you are opening an existing scene or profile.
The distinction between a playlist and a single media file matters. A VLC Video Source can handle a list and offers controls for looping or shuffling that list. Media Source has a loop control for repeating an individual file; it is not the documented way to loop a set of MP4s one after another. OBS explains the available media source controls in its documentation.
This workflow suits a fixed sequence: for example, a small business could rotate a welcome video, product information, and a location clip, then start again. If you want viewers to choose a track, or want a list to behave as a YouTube playlist rather than as one live broadcast, that is a different publishing choice. The blog’s comparison of a YouTube playlist and a 24/7 live stream can help you decide which format fits the way people will watch.
Before you build the scene, decide whether the list should always play in the same order. For a devotional sequence or a news loop, predictable order is often useful; shuffle can make a transition or announcement arrive at an unexpected point. If a source is hidden, its visibility behaviour also affects playback. That is a source-level behaviour, not a command to stop or continue the YouTube broadcast.
Install VLC with matching architecture
OBS does not include VLC as part of the VLC Video Source feature. If the source type is missing, install VLC and restart OBS before looking for a scene-setting problem. OBS’s guidance says that 64-bit OBS requires 64-bit VLC. Installing a mismatched version can leave the source unavailable even though VLC appears to be installed on the computer.
First check which OBS build you use, then install the corresponding VLC build from the official VLC download page. Follow the installer’s current instructions for your operating system. The relevant match is architecture, not whether the VLC and OBS version numbers look alike. OBS documents VLC as a dependency for this source type and lists its availability across Windows, macOS, and Linux; consult the OBS media sources documentation if your platform or installation differs.
After installation, close and reopen OBS. Then check the Sources dock’s add menu. If VLC Video Source still does not appear, confirm the architecture match and that VLC finished installing; do not assume that installing a video player automatically added the OBS source. On a shared or managed computer, you may need permission to install software. If you cannot install VLC, use Media Source for one file, or choose another workflow that your system supports rather than treating Media Source as a multi-file playlist substitute.
Keep the media files in a stable folder before you add them. Moving or renaming files after making a playlist can leave OBS pointing at old locations. A tidy folder with descriptive filenames makes it easier to confirm the order and spot a missing item later. If you are working on Linux and see access errors rather than a missing source, the separate FFmpeg permission troubleshooting guide addresses a different workflow; do not assume its FFmpeg-specific fix applies to VLC Video Source.
Add the VLC Video Source to an OBS scene
Open the scene that should carry the loop. In the Sources dock, select +, choose VLC Video Source, and create a new source or select an existing one if you intend to reuse it. Give it a descriptive name such as “Main playlist” rather than leaving several sources with indistinguishable names. OBS describes scenes as arrangements of sources, so the source needs to be in the scene that is active for the broadcast. Its sources guide explains how sources fit into a scene.
In the source properties, find the playlist area and add the MP4 files you prepared. The exact appearance can vary by OBS version and operating system, so use the setting labels in your installed version rather than expecting every button to be in the same place as a screenshot. Arrange the entries in your intended sequence. A filename list is not a substitute for checking the actual order: alphabetic order may not match a programme sequence.
Make sure the source appears in the preview and is not covered by another visual source. If it is behind a full-screen image or hidden by the scene layout, the playlist may be playing without being visible. Resize and position it to fit the canvas as needed. Check that the scene you are previewing is the scene you intend to send to YouTube, particularly if your OBS profile contains several scenes for different programmes.
The VLC source also has behaviour for when it is not visible. OBS documents a default that stops playback when the source is hidden and restarts it when visible. Choose the behaviour that matches your scene: if the source will be hidden during a transition and should resume from the beginning when shown, the default may fit; if you expect playback to continue off-screen, adjust that setting. It controls the source’s media playback when hidden, not the visibility of the OBS application window and not the YouTube stream itself.
Add MP4 files to the playlist
Add each file to the VLC Video Source playlist, then review the list top to bottom. Use the order you want viewers to see. For instance, if your local news loop has a station introduction, the main bulletin, and a community notice, put them in that sequence rather than relying on file names to sort themselves. Remove test clips and duplicate entries before you send the scene live.
If the source provides a shuffle option, keep Shuffle Playlist off when the order matters. OBS says shuffle is off by default; when it is off, files play in the list order. For a music or ambience station where variation is welcome, shuffle may be appropriate, but listen to the result and consider whether abrupt changes in mood or loudness are acceptable. A sequence designed around a spoken introduction may not work well if the following item changes randomly.
Check that the files are accessible from the computer running OBS. A file on a removable drive or network location can become unavailable if that location is disconnected or remounted differently. Keeping source files in a known local folder reduces that particular dependency, though it does not remove the need to test playback. If you later reorganise the folder, open the source properties and confirm each playlist entry still resolves.
Think about transitions as well as the list itself. The files may differ in aspect ratio, audio level, or the amount of silence at their ends. A landscape clip followed by a portrait MP4 may leave unused canvas area; a quiet recording after a loud one can be hard to hear. Correct the content or scene layout where necessary, and preview the junction between files instead of judging each clip only on its own.
Enable Loop Playlist
In the VLC Video Source properties, confirm Loop Playlist is on. OBS documents it as on by default, but verifying the checkbox is a better safeguard than assuming the source kept its original setting. With playlist looping enabled, playback starts again after the source reaches the end of its media list. That is different from looping each MP4 individually before moving on.
Keep shuffle settings separate in your mind. Looping determines what happens after the last entry; shuffle determines whether the entries follow their listed order. If you want the same sequence on every pass, leave shuffle off and check the order. If the list contains a short holding slide or a test clip, it will repeat too unless you remove it.
Also confirm the source’s visibility behaviour against the scene plan. If the source becomes hidden, a stop-and-restart setting can cause playback to begin again when it becomes visible. That may be useful when you want every appearance to begin at the first file, but undesirable if you briefly switch away and want the playlist to continue. Neither choice is a YouTube reconnect setting.
The loop is a playback instruction, not a broadcast continuity guarantee. OBS can play the playlist while the stream connection has a problem, and a working YouTube connection cannot fix a missing media file. Treat media playback, the OBS encoder output, and the network connection as separate parts to check.
Test transitions and audio
Run a local check before relying on the scene overnight or during an event. Watch at least one file change into the next and, if practical, the end of the list returning to the start. The purpose is to confirm the files open in the expected order, the image fits, the audio is present, and Loop Playlist behaves as intended. OBS’s quick start guide recommends checking settings and testing before a stream; YouTube likewise recommends testing the setup before an event.
Listen to the joins with the speakers or headphones you will use for monitoring. Look for unexpected silence, clipped beginnings, or a large difference in loudness. A playlist can advance correctly while the audience still hears an uncomfortable jump between files. Fix issues in the media or adjust the scene’s audio treatment, then run the transition check again. Do not infer that a file is suitable just because it plays in a desktop media player.
Next, check the complete YouTube path. In YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room, retrieve the stream URL and key for the broadcast, enter them in OBS’s stream settings, and inspect the preview before going live. YouTube’s encoder setup instructions describe the server URL and stream key workflow. Treat the stream key as private; do not put it in a screenshot, public post, or shared scene notes.
Check your outgoing connection separately from the playlist. YouTube advises using a reliable connection and allowing upload bandwidth beyond the bitrate being sent. A home connection that works for ordinary browsing may still be affected by other uploads, wireless changes, or local outages. A wired Ethernet connection can be worth considering if your equipment supports it and your problem is wireless reliability, but it is not a guarantee against interruptions. YouTube’s live encoder settings guidance is the place to check current recommendations for the stream you are configuring.
If the stream is part of a longer-running operation, consider who will notice a dropped broadcast and what the recovery plan is. OBS looping handles files in the source; it does not itself restart a disconnected YouTube broadcast. For that separate concern, see the guide to restarting a YouTube live stream after a disconnect. For a single computer running for long periods, power and connection planning are also distinct from playlist configuration.
A cloud-based route can remove the need to leave your own computer running for a file-based channel: StreamNeo takes an uploaded video and runs it as a YouTube live stream, which addresses the specific burden of keeping a home computer switched on. It is YouTube-only, so this is not a replacement if your workflow depends on OBS scenes, a live camera, or another platform. You still need to prepare the content and channel appropriately.
Use Media Source for a single looping file
If the programme is one MP4 repeated from beginning to end, use Media Source rather than creating a VLC playlist with one item. Add Media Source from the Sources dock and select the file. Its own Loop control repeats that individual file after playback completes. OBS supports common formats including MP4; check playback in your installed version and scene before going live.
This is a simpler fit for a study timer, a single ambience video, or a fixed visual announcement. It avoids the VLC dependency when you only need one file, but it does not provide the multi-file playlist workflow described above. Do not add several Media Sources and expect their individual Loop boxes to turn them into a sequential playlist; that is not what the control means.
For a set of several files, return to VLC Video Source and verify playlist order, Loop Playlist, and shuffle. For one file, use Media Source’s Loop setting. That small decision at the start prevents a common setup detour: troubleshooting why a one-file loop works while a collection of files does not advance as expected.
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
Does OBS include VLC Video Source by default?
The VLC Video Source depends on VLC being installed; VLC is not built into OBS. Install VLC that matches the OBS architecture, then reopen OBS and check the Sources add menu. For 64-bit OBS, OBS specifies 64-bit VLC.
Will Media Source loop several MP4 files in sequence?
No. Media Source’s Loop control repeats an individual file. Use VLC Video Source for a multi-file playlist, arrange the entries, and check Loop Playlist.
Does Loop Playlist keep YouTube live if the internet disconnects?
No. Loop Playlist controls the playback of the media list in OBS, not the connection to YouTube. Check the encoder preview and network separately, and plan how you will respond if the broadcast drops.
Why does playback restart when I switch scenes?
The VLC source’s visibility behaviour can stop playback when it is hidden and restart it when it becomes visible, depending on the selected setting. Review that option in the source properties and choose whether the playlist should continue, pause, or stop while hidden. This affects the media source, not whether YouTube is live.