YOUTUBE LIVE GUIDE
How to stream on YouTube Live without OBS
"I want to stream on YouTube Live, but OBS was too complicated and I gave up." "I'd rather not leave my PC running the whole time I'm live." These are common frustrations. The good news is there are several ways to start streaming on YouTube Live without touching OBS at all.
On this page we lay out three ways to go live on YouTube without OBS, along with what each one can and can't do. We'll also cover the option that fits best when you want to loop BGM, a music video, or a course video for hours on end.
Where people who want to skip OBS usually get stuck
- Not wanting to leave a PC running for the entire stream (power bills, heat, fan noise)
- OBS scenes, sources, and audio settings feel complicated, with no obvious place to start
- Preparing a video for long streams — or swapping it out midway — is a hassle
- Wanting to loop work BGM, a music video, or ambient sound without any gaps
- The strain of babysitting the stream to make sure it hasn't dropped
Three ways to stream on YouTube Live without OBS
Pick based on the balance between how easy it is and what you actually want to do.
Method 1: Stream with YouTube Studio alone
EasiestUse the streaming feature built into YouTube Studio in your browser (webcam streaming). No software to install.
What it does
- No software needed — start right now from the browser alone
- Fine for simple streams like a webcam plus screen sharing
- Few settings to configure, so it's hard to get lost
Limitations
- Not suited to playing an MP4 or other video file as your stream content
- You have to keep the PC and browser open the whole time you're live
- Not a good fit for long unattended loop streams or elaborate visuals
If you just want to talk to the camera a bit or explain something while showing your screen, this is the easiest option.
Method 2: Use streaming software like OBS
Most flexibleThe option we're trying to avoid this time, but included for comparison. OBS is the free, full-featured standard for streaming software.
What it does
- Fine-tune scenes, layouts, and audio in detail
- Freely composite video files, images, and multiple sources
- Handle almost any streaming style
Limitations
- Steep learning curve for the initial setup (scenes, sources, audio, encoding settings)
- It ties up your PC while live and assumes you leave it running
- If the PC or OBS crashes, the stream stops too — long unattended runs need supervision
It offers the most flexibility, but that's the opposite direction from the goal here: getting by without OBS.
Method 3: Turn an MP4 into a live stream directly with Relaymo
RecommendedJust upload the MP4 you've prepared and connect it to YouTube. From there, Relaymo keeps a 24/7 loop stream running in the cloud. No OBS, no leaving your PC on.
Upload an MP4
Upload the video file you want to stream to Relaymo. Work BGM, a music video, a course video, ambient sound — any MP4 you have becomes your stream content as-is.
Build a playlist
Arrange your videos in the order you want them to play into a playlist. Even a short video can be looped automatically up to the length you specify.
Connect YouTube
Link the YouTube channel you're streaming to and set the title, thumbnail, and visibility.
Start the live stream
Just press start. From there the stream keeps running on the cloud, so it won't stop even if you close your PC or shut it off.
What it does
- No OBS, no always-on PC — a 24/7 stream keeps running in the cloud
- Just upload an MP4 — even short videos loop automatically into a long stream
- Automatically reconnects if the stream drops — strong for long, unattended runs
A good fit for streams where you want to keep the same footage running for hours: work BGM, sleep BGM, music videos, course videos, and the like.
If you want to turn an MP4 straight into a YouTube Live stream, you can run a free test stream with Relaymo.
Run a free test streamStreams Relaymo is a good fit for
It's a tool that pairs well with long, looping, unattended streams like these.
Work and focus BGM
For streaming lo-fi or work BGM 24/7 without any gaps.
Sleep and ambient sound
Loop sleep music or ambient sound like rain and crackling fire, even while you sleep.
AI-generated music and covers
For a channel that loops generated BGM and AI covers together.
Course and tutorial videos
When you want to keep course or lesson videos live around the clock to widen your reach.
BGM for shops and waiting areas
Run BGM visuals for a shop or waiting area as an always-on live stream.
So which should you choose?
If you just want to talk to the camera a little or show your screen, Method 1: YouTube Studio is the easiest. If you truly need elaborate visuals or compositing multiple sources, it comes down to Method 2: OBS — but you can't get around leaving the PC on and the setup work.
On the other hand, if what you want is to loop an MP4 for hours, avoid leaving your PC on, and run it unattended 24/7, then Method 3, Relaymo, is the most direct route. As long as you have the source MP4, all that's left is to upload it, connect, and the stream begins.
Frequently asked questions
Can I stream on YouTube Live without OBS?
Yes. Using YouTube Studio's in-browser streaming feature, you can stream without any software. And if you want to upload an MP4 and loop it 24/7, Relaymo lets you do it without OBS or an always-on PC.
Can I stream without leaving my PC on?
With a cloud-based streaming tool like Relaymo, the stream keeps running on the server side, so it won't stop even if you close your PC or shut it off.
Can I stream an MP4 file directly?
Yes. With Relaymo you can upload the MP4 you've prepared, arrange it in a playlist, and stream it as YouTube Live. Even short videos loop automatically up to the length you specify.
I'm worried the stream might stop partway through.
Relaymo automatically reconnects up to the number of times you set if the stream drops, and it cleans up orphaned processes that can't be stopped. It's designed for long, unattended streaming.
Is there a cost?
You can start for free. Run a free test stream first, then upgrade to a paid plan once you need more channels, simultaneous streams, or storage.