An encoding system that distributes a live stream to end user devices is provided herein. The encoding system automatically detects failed components and implements a failover action to replace the failed component with a backup component in a manner that reduces live stream interruptions. For example, the encoding system can include a network interface that is coupled to an encoder allocated to a live stream. Instead of providing a contribution encoder that transmits the live stream with a location of the allocated encoder, the encoding system can provide the contribution encoder with a location of the network interface. Thus, the contribution encoder can transmit the live stream to the network interface. The network interface can then forward the live stream to the allocated encoder. If the allocated encoder fails, then the network interface can forward the live stream to a backup encoder.