Keep OBS Yoga Nidra Stream Running After Windows Restart

This guide shows you how to keep your OBS Studio yoga nidra stream alive across a Windows restart, so you don’t have to manually start everything again after a power outage, update, or scheduled reboot. You’ll set up OBS to launch at login, auto-start the stream, and configure Windows to sign in automatically—then test the whole flow to make sure it works. No third-party software is required, just OBS Studio and a few Windows settings.

What You’ll Need

OBS Studio installed (version 28 or newer recommended, but most steps work on older versions too)
Your yoga nidra stream scene and sources already configured in OBS
Your streaming platform (YouTube, Twitch, etc.) stream key and URL
Windows 10 or 11 with administrator access
A stable internet connection

Step-by-Step

Set up OBS to auto-start streaming on launch. Open OBS Studio. Go to Tools → Auto Start/Stop Streaming. If you don’t see this option, it’s because the feature is built into OBS’s command-line options instead. In the Auto Start/Stop window, check Enable Auto Start and choose Start streaming automatically when OBS starts. Set a delay if you want (e.g., 10 seconds) to give OBS time to load all sources. Click OK.
Create a shortcut to launch OBS with auto-start. If the Auto Start/Stop plugin isn’t available (it’s bundled with OBS 28+), you can use a command-line switch. Right-click your OBS shortcut (or create a new one) and select Properties. In the Target field, add --startstreaming at the end of the path. For example: "C:\Program Files\obs-studio\bin\64bit\obs64.exe" --startstreaming. Click Apply then OK.
Place the shortcut in the Windows Startup folder. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter. Copy your OBS shortcut (the one with the --startstreaming flag) into this folder. This makes OBS launch automatically when you log in.
Enable automatic sign-in on Windows. If your PC requires a password at login, OBS won’t start until you sign in. To bypass this, press Win + R, type netplwiz, and press Enter. Select your user account, uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer, click Apply, and enter your password twice. On Windows 11, this option may be hidden; instead, go to Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options, and under Additional settings, turn off For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts (if present), then restart and use the netplwiz method. If you’re on a Microsoft account, you may need to switch to a local account temporarily or use the registry method (see Troubleshooting).
Prevent OBS from closing on shutdown. By default, Windows will close OBS during shutdown, which stops the stream. To keep it running until the last moment, you can set OBS to not be killed immediately. Go to Settings → System → Power & sleep → Additional power settings → Choose what the power buttons do → Change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (this can interfere with auto-start). This doesn’t fully prevent OBS from closing, but it reduces issues. For a true “restart-proof� setup, you’d need a separate service, but for most restart scenarios (like after updates), OBS will close gracefully—so the auto-start on next login is what matters.
Test the auto-start flow. First, make sure your stream key is saved in OBS (Settings → Stream). Then restart your PC. After Windows logs in, OBS should launch automatically and begin streaming after the delay you set. Watch the OBS window to confirm the stream starts. If it doesn’t, check the OBS log (Help → Log Files → Show Logs) for errors.
Set up a scheduled restart (optional). If you want to restart daily to refresh the system, use Task Scheduler. Open Task Scheduler, create a basic task that triggers at your desired time, action = Restart the computer. Combine this with the auto-start above, and your stream will come back automatically.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the --startstreaming flag: Simply placing OBS in the startup folder without the flag will launch OBS but not start the stream.
Wrong shortcut in Startup folder: If you copy the original OBS shortcut (without the flag), the stream won’t auto-start. Double-check the shortcut’s Target field.
Password prompt blocking startup: If you haven’t disabled the login password, OBS won’t launch until you manually sign in.
Stream key not saved: If OBS opens but can’t stream, it might be because the stream key is missing or expired. Always verify your stream settings.
Multiple OBS instances: If you have OBS already running (e.g., from a previous session), the new instance won’t start streaming—it will just open the existing one. Ensure OBS is fully closed before testing.

Tips

Use a delay of 10-15 seconds in the auto-start setting to give OBS time to load video capture devices and audio sources.
Set OBS to “Minimize to tray� (Settings → General → System Tray) so it doesn’t clutter your taskbar.
Enable “Reconnect� in OBS stream settings (Settings → Stream → Reconnect) with a retry delay of 5-10 seconds, so temporary network drops don’t kill the stream.
Keep your stream key in a safe place—if you ever need to re-enter it, you won’t have to dig through emails.
Test the auto-start after any OBS update, as updates sometimes reset settings.

Troubleshooting

OBS doesn’t launch after restart. Check if the shortcut is in the Startup folder. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and verify. Also check Task Manager → Startup tab to see if OBS is enabled. If it’s disabled, enable it.

OBS launches but doesn’t start streaming. Confirm the --startstreaming flag is in the shortcut’s Target. Also check OBS’s Auto Start/Stop settings (Tools menu) if you used that method. If you’re using the command-line switch, make sure there’s a space before the two hyphens.

Windows still asks for a password. On Windows 11, the netplwiz checkbox may be missing. Try this: open Registry Editor (regedit) and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device. Set the value of DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion to 0, then restart and try netplwiz again. (Always back up the registry before editing.)

Stream starts but drops immediately. Check your internet connection and the stream key. Also try lowering the bitrate in OBS Settings → Output.

OBS starts but the stream is black. Your video capture device may not be ready. Increase the auto-start delay to 30 seconds, or use a “Startup Scene� that only shows static images until your sources are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this work if my PC restarts due to a Windows update?
A: Yes, as long as Windows logs you in automatically and OBS is in the Startup folder, it will launch and start streaming after the restart. The stream will be down for the duration of the restart.

Q: Can I use this method with a laptop that goes to sleep?
A: Yes, but you need to prevent sleep. Go to Settings → System → Power & sleep and set both “On battery� and “Plugged in� to “Never�. Also adjust the lid close action to “Do nothing� if you close the lid.

Q: Do I need to keep the OBS window open?
A: No, you can minimize OBS to the tray. The stream continues as long as OBS is running.

Q: What if I use a different streaming software?
A: This guide is specific to OBS Studio. Other software may have similar auto-start features, but the steps differ.

Q: Is it safe to disable the Windows login password?
A: It reduces security because anyone with physical access can turn on your PC and access your files. Only do this on a trusted, private machine.

Q: Can I set OBS to start streaming only on weekdays?
A: Yes, use Task Scheduler to run OBS with the --startstreaming flag on specific days, instead of the Startup folder. Create a task that triggers at logon or at a specific time, and set the conditions to only run on certain days.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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