Screen recording has no sound: what to check
Find out why a screen recording is silent, check tab or system audio and microphone capture, then fix browser, macOS, Windows, or playback settings.
Your screen recording shows everything correctly, but when you play it back there is no sound. The cause may be the audio source you chose, a microphone permission, or simply the playback device.
Use the Screen Recorder to make a short test clip. It can record a tab, window, or screen with sound, and can also record your microphone. Testing each source separately helps you find where the audio disappears.
Check sound in a short recording
- Open the Screen Recorder and choose whether to record a browser tab, a window, or the screen. The available audio options can depend on what you select.
- For sound from a browser tab, choose that tab in the browser's sharing dialog and enable its audio-sharing option if one appears. For sound from other apps, choose a screen or window and enable system audio if your browser and device offer it.
- If you need your voice, enable microphone recording in the tool and allow microphone access when the browser asks. Speak a few words while recording a short clip.
- Play the clip in the recorder or open the saved recording. Turn up the computer's volume and check that sound is coming from the speakers or headphones you are actually using.
Use a simple sound source for the test, such as a video or audio clip playing in a browser tab. Keep the test brief. You only need enough recording to tell whether tab audio, system audio, or your voice is present.
What the result means
Your voice is audible, but app or video sound is missing
The microphone is being captured, but the audio playing on the computer is not. Check the browser's sharing dialog for an audio option and confirm you selected the source that is playing the sound. A tab recording may capture that tab's audio, while a screen or window recording may offer a separate system-audio option.
App sound is audible, but your voice is missing
The recording source is working, but the microphone was not included or the browser could not access it. Check that microphone recording is enabled in the tool, that the correct microphone is selected in your computer's sound settings, and that microphone permission is allowed.
The clip is silent, but sound plays on your computer
The browser may not have been told to share audio, or the selected capture type may not support the sound you expect. Try recording a browser tab with its audio option enabled. If you need to record sound from another app, check whether the browser's screen-sharing dialog offers system audio on your device.
The clip has sound on another device, but not on this one
The recording likely contains audio, and the problem is playback. Choose the right output device, disconnect any unwanted Bluetooth audio device, and raise the volume in the player and the computer. A video editor or media player may also have its own mute or volume control.
How to fix it
- Check the source's volume. Make sure the tab or app you are recording is playing sound and is not muted. On Windows 11, check Settings › System › Sound › Volume mixer for the app's volume. On macOS, check System Settings › Sound › Output and the app's own volume controls.
- Choose an audio-sharing option. When the browser asks what to share, look for an audio checkbox or toggle. For a tab, enable tab audio. For a screen or window, select system audio if that option is available. The wording and options vary by browser and operating system.
- Turn on microphone capture if you need narration. The microphone is separate from the sound playing on your computer. Allow it in the browser's site permissions, then check the input device and input level in system sound settings.
- Allow microphone access in the operating system. On Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone and enable Microphone access and Let desktop apps access your microphone. On a Mac, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Microphone and allow your browser.
- Allow screen and system-audio capture on macOS. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Screen & System Audio Recording and allow your browser if it is listed. Close and reopen the browser after changing this permission, then test again.
- Try a different capture type. If tab audio is missing from a screen recording, record the tab directly and enable tab audio. If you need sound from a separate app, try a screen or window capture and check for a system-audio option. Browser capture support differs by device.
- Close and reopen the browser. A browser may keep an old permission or capture session after you change settings. End the current recording, reopen the page, and make a fresh short test.
Know what browser recording can capture
Browser recording does not capture every sound on every computer. Audio choices depend on the browser, operating system, capture type, and permissions. Some devices can share audio from a selected tab but not all system sounds. Protected content may also prevent capture. If a specific app's audio is unavailable, test a tab or another unprotected sound source to see whether recording works at all.
The Screen Recorder works on computers, not phones. Recordings stay on your device, and nothing you record is uploaded.
