Auto-Restart FFmpeg/OBS with systemd: Keep 24/7 Streams Alive

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Use systemd to keep your FFmpeg or OBS streaming process running forever with automatic restarts and logging

Written by Space-Node Team – Infrastructure Team – 15+ years combined experience in game server hosting, VPS infrastructure, and 24/7 streaming solutions. Read author bio →

Auto-Restart FFmpeg/OBS with systemd: Keep 24/7 Streams Alive

systemd auto restart ffmpeg obs 247 stream

Even stable software can stop. Systemd keeps it alive.

Systemd

Table of Contents

  1. Create a systemd service
  2. Restart policy
  3. Logging and monitoring
  4. Updating safely
  5. VPS considerations

1. Create a systemd service

Define a service that runs your FFmpeg or OBS command.

2. Restart policy

Use Restart=always with appropriate delays.

3. Logging and monitoring

Use journalctl -u yourservice -f to watch logs.

4. Updating safely

Stop the service, update configs, then start again.

5. VPS considerations

Run on a Streaming VPS for consistent bandwidth.

Space-Node Team

About the Author

Space-Node Team – Infrastructure Team – Experts in game server hosting, VPS infrastructure, and 24/7 streaming solutions with 15+ years combined experience.

Since 2023
500+ servers hosted
4.8/5 avg rating

Our team specializes in Minecraft, FiveM, Rust, and 24/7 streaming infrastructure, operating enterprise-grade AMD Ryzen 9 hardware in Netherlands datacenters. We maintain GDPR compliance and ISO 27001-aligned security standards.

View Space-Node's full team bio and credentials →

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Auto-Restart FFmpeg/OBS with systemd: Keep 24/7 Streams Alive