OBS Scene Transitions for Switching Looped Videos

Updated 9 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

For switching between looped videos in OBS, set up each video as a Media Source with Loop enabled, then choose a scene transition such as Cut or Fade to control how OBS moves between the scenes. The transition changes the scene, not the playback loop: each video continues or restarts according to its source settings.

How OBS Handles Scenes and Looped Videos

An OBS scene is a collection of sources, such as video files, images, cameras, and audio. To make separate videos easy to select, place each one in its own scene—for example, “Video A” and “Video B”—and add each file as a Media Source. You can also put multiple sources in one scene, but separate scenes make switching and transition timing easier to understand.

A Media Source has playback controls independent of scene transitions. Enabling Loop makes the file repeat when it reaches the end. The scene transition determines what viewers see when you switch from one scene to another. A Fade, for example, blends the outgoing scene into the incoming one; it does not make either file loop more smoothly.

OBS distinguishes between the current scene and the next scene while in Studio Mode. Without Studio Mode, selecting a scene generally switches the program output immediately using the selected transition. With Studio Mode, you can preview the next scene and then use Transition to send it to the output.

Set Up Each Video as a Loop

In the Scenes panel, create a scene for each video you want to switch between.
For a scene, use the Sources panel’s add button and select Media Source. Create a new source, give it a clear name, and select the video file.
In the Media Source properties, enable Loop. Check that the correct file is selected, then confirm the source properties.
Repeat for the other scenes and videos. Make sure each source is visible in its scene and sized or cropped as intended.
Preview the scenes and check that their audio behavior is appropriate. A looping video with sound can repeat its audio too; mute the source or adjust its audio settings if that is not wanted.

In the Media Source properties, Restart playback when source becomes active is a separate option from Loop. If enabled, the video starts from the beginning when its source becomes active. If disabled, it may resume from its previous position, depending on playback state and how the scene is switched. Test the behavior in your own scene arrangement before relying on it during a broadcast or recording.

Choose and Configure a Scene Transition

OBS offers built-in transitions, commonly including Cut and Fade, and it can support other transition types depending on the OBS version and installed resources. The selected transition is used when switching scenes unless you choose a different transition for a particular switch.

Cut: Changes to the new scene immediately. This is usually the clearest choice when a video should replace another at once.
Fade: Blends between scenes over a set duration. A short fade can soften a change; a longer fade makes the switch more noticeable and may briefly show a blend of both scenes.
Other transitions: Some setups offer effects such as wipes or stingers. These are stylistic choices, not requirements for looping videos.

To select a transition, use the transition controls near the scene list or the controls provided by Studio Mode. Choose the transition and, for a transition with a duration, set its time in milliseconds. A duration of 300 ms is 0.3 seconds; 1,000 ms is one second. The appropriate value depends on the footage and the effect you want, so preview it rather than treating one duration as universally correct.

For a specific scene change, OBS can also provide a per-scene transition setting. This lets you use, for example, a Cut when entering a scene but a Fade for other changes, where the available controls and workflow allow it. Confirm which scene or transition control is active before switching; changing the general transition may affect more scene changes than intended.

Make Switching Predictable

Looping and scene switching can interact in ways that look like a transition problem. Decide whether each video should continue playing while hidden or start from the beginning when shown. Then test a full cycle: play the first video through its end, switch to the second, and return to the first. This reveals whether the source loops, resumes, or restarts as configured.

For a clean handoff, check the clip lengths and where their loops begin and end. A scene transition cannot remove a hard cut or blank frame embedded in the video file. If a clip has a visible jump at its loop point, edit or replace the media with a version whose first and last frames match more closely, or use a transition when changing scenes. A fade between scenes is not the same as a crossfade between two clips that are both playing in the same scene.

Also check audio separately. Scene changes can alter which audio sources are active, but a visual Fade does not guarantee a gradual audio crossfade. Listen to the transition in the recording or output you plan to use, and adjust source visibility, mute controls, or audio transition settings as appropriate.

Common Problems and Fixes

The video stops at the end: Reopen the Media Source properties and confirm Loop is enabled on the correct source.
The video starts over after every switch: Check whether Restart playback when source becomes active is enabled. Turn it off if you want the source to continue rather than restart, then test again.
The change is instant despite expecting a Fade: Check the selected transition, its duration, and whether a scene-specific transition is overriding the general selection.
The new scene appears only after pressing Transition: This is expected when using Studio Mode. The preview scene is not the program output until you transition it.
The video is black or missing: Verify the file path and source visibility. If the file was moved or renamed, select its current location in the source properties.
Audio repeats or cuts unexpectedly: Check the Media Source’s audio, mute state, and the active audio sources in both scenes. Preview the change with sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a scene transition make a video loop?
No. Looping is a Media Source playback setting. The transition controls how OBS changes from one scene to another.

Which transition is best for switching looped videos?
A Cut is best when you want an immediate change; a Fade is useful when you want a gradual visual blend. Choose based on the footage and preview the result.

How do I make a video restart when I switch back to its scene?
Check Restart playback when source becomes active in the Media Source properties. Enable it if you want playback to begin at the start when activated, and test the scene behavior.

Can two videos crossfade while switching scenes?
A scene Fade can blend the outgoing and incoming scenes visually, but it is not automatically a seamless video or audio crossfade. For precise overlap and audio mixing, arrange and test the sources accordingly.

Why does OBS show a different scene than the one I selected?
If Studio Mode is on, selecting a scene may update the preview rather than the program output. Press Transition to send the preview to the output.

Do I need a separate scene for every looped video?
No, but separate scenes make switching individual videos straightforward. Multiple Media Sources can also be arranged within one scene when you need a more complex layout.

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