Key takeaways
- Record your computer screen with audio on Windows: pick system sound, microphone or both using Game Bar or OBS, then fix echo and sync problems fast.
To record your computer screen with audio on Windows, decide first which sound you want: what the computer plays (system or game audio), what you say into a microphone, or both. The built-in Xbox Game Bar can capture an app window with sound, and the free OBS Studio can capture the whole screen with separate control over each audio source. This guide, written by the Editorial team from published specifications, manufacturer documentation and general knowledge, explains both routes and the fixes for the most common problems.
Know the two kinds of audio before you record
Most confusion comes from mixing up two separate audio paths. System audio is everything your PC sends to its speakers or headphones: game sound, a video playing in a browser, a voice call from other people. Microphone audio is whatever your mic picks up, usually your own voice. Recorders treat them as different sources, which is why a clip can contain one, both, or neither.
Decide up front what the finished video needs. A tutorial usually wants your voice plus the sounds of the app you are demonstrating. A gameplay clip for friends may want game sound only. A recording of a meeting or call is a special case, and it is worth checking whether everyone involved is aware and comfortable with being recorded before you begin.
Prerequisites and a quick setup check
Before recording, do a thirty-second check so you do not discover a silent file afterward.
- Open Windows sound settings and confirm the output device you actually listen through is the default.
- If you plan to speak, confirm the microphone appears in the input list and that its level bar moves when you talk.
- Close apps that play notification sounds, since those end up in the recording.
- Make sure you have free storage; video files grow quickly.
Keep in mind that menus and exact wording differ between Windows 10 and Windows 11 and between updates, so treat the paths below as a guide and look for similarly named options if yours differ.
Method 1: Record with Xbox Game Bar
Game Bar is built into Windows 10 and 11 and needs no download. The steps are straightforward.
- Open the app or game window you want to capture and click on it so it is active.
- Press Win+G to open Game Bar. If nothing appears, check that Game Bar is enabled in the Gaming section of Windows Settings.
- Open the Capture widget. Use the microphone button to switch your mic on or off.
- Press the record button, or use Win+Alt+R to start and stop without opening the overlay.
- Press Win+Alt+M during recording to toggle the microphone.
In the Game Bar settings under the capturing section, you can usually choose whether to record game audio only, all audio, or none. Choosing the broader option includes other system sounds, so notifications can leak in. Finished clips are commonly saved in a Captures folder inside your Videos folder.
Game Bar has a real limit: it records the active app window, not the whole desktop. It generally will not capture File Explorer or the desktop itself, and switching to another window may stop or change the capture. For those cases, use OBS.
Method 2: Record with OBS Studio
OBS Studio is a free recorder that handles full-screen capture and lets you manage each audio source separately. After installing it from the official project site, add a scene source such as Display Capture for the whole screen or Window Capture for one app.
The Audio Mixer panel then shows the sources it listens to. Desktop Audio is the system sound. Mic/Aux is your microphone. Each has its own meter, mute button and slider. Speak or play a sound, and watch the meters move; if a meter stays flat, that source is not reaching OBS.
If a source is missing, open Settings, then Audio, and pick the correct device under Desktop Audio and Mic/Aux instead of leaving them on Default. Then set the output format and folder under the Output tab and press Start Recording. A short test clip of ten seconds, played back before the real session, catches nearly every audio mistake.
Choosing system audio, microphone or both
| Goal | Game Bar approach | OBS approach |
|---|---|---|
| System sound only | Mic off, audio set to game or all | Mute Mic/Aux, keep Desktop Audio |
| Voice only | Mic on, audio set to none if offered | Mute Desktop Audio, keep Mic/Aux |
| Both | Mic on, audio set to all | Keep both unmuted, balance sliders |
When recording both, keep your voice clearly louder than the background sound. A common starting point is to let the meters peak in the upper-middle part of the green-to-yellow range without touching red, then adjust after a test.
Stereo Mix and why it is hit or miss
Older guides often recommend Stereo Mix, a recording device that loops the system output back as an input. To look for it, open the Sound control panel, go to the Recording tab, right-click empty space and enable showing disabled devices. If Stereo Mix appears, enable it and select it as the input in your recorder.
Whether it exists depends on the audio driver, and many current systems do not offer it. Treat it as a bonus rather than a requirement. If it is absent, you do not need a special workaround; recorders like OBS capture desktop audio without it.
Fixing echo and feedback
If you hear yourself repeated or the recording sounds hollow, your microphone is probably picking up your speakers. The cleanest fix is to wear headphones so no sound leaves the speakers for the mic to hear. If you must use speakers, lower their volume, keep the microphone close to your mouth, and place it away from the speaker cones.
A related problem is the double voice during calls: if you record a call while your own voice also comes back through the call app, you may hear it twice. Mute the call app output to your recorder or record only your mic plus the other participants once. A tidy desk also helps; the guide to cable management covers keeping cables away from microphone stands and desk vibration.
Audio out of sync with the video
Drift happens when the recorder cannot keep up. Signs include dropped frames, a laggy game, or video that runs behind the sound. First lower the recording resolution or frame rate, close heavy background programs, and record to a drive with free space. A system that struggles under load is worth examining separately; checking whether your memory runs in dual channel is one step some builders take when diagnosing general performance.
If the offset is a steady gap rather than a growing one, OBS has a sync offset in milliseconds under Advanced Audio Properties. Bluetooth headsets are a frequent culprit because they add their own delay, so test with a wired headset when the timing looks wrong. Small offsets can also be corrected later in a video editor.
A worked example: recording a tutorial with voice and app sound
Assume you want a five-minute walkthrough of a program, narrated live, on a Windows laptop with a headset. First, plug in the headset and set it as the default output and input. Open OBS, add Display Capture, and confirm both meters move. Set Mic/Aux slightly louder than Desktop Audio. Record ten seconds, say a sentence, click a button that makes a sound, and play the file back. If both are audible and in sync, record the real take. Afterward, check the file plays fully and note where it saved.
When to stop and look elsewhere
If no source ever produces a meter movement, the issue may be a disabled device, a privacy setting blocking microphone access for apps, or a driver fault. Check the microphone privacy toggle in Windows settings, update audio drivers from your system or motherboard manufacturer, and consider a different recorder as a test. If hardware still seems faulty, such as a headset that fails on several computers, consult its manufacturer instructions or support.
Related guides
- Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 Vs Razer Viper V3 Pro
- Motherboard Io Panel And Back Connectors Explained
- Travel Backpack With Laptop Compartment
Frequently asked questions
Why does my screen recording have no sound?
The usual cause is that the recorder is capturing the wrong source. Game Bar may be set to record no audio, OBS may have Desktop Audio or Mic/Aux muted in the mixer, or Windows may be sending sound to a different output device than the one the recorder watches. Check the audio setting inside the recorder first, then confirm the correct playback device is selected in Windows sound settings.
Can I record my screen with sound but without my voice?
Yes. In Xbox Game Bar, turn the microphone off with the mic button in the Capture widget or the Win+Alt+M shortcut while recording. In OBS, mute or remove the Mic/Aux source and leave Desktop Audio active. That captures only what your computer plays, such as game sound or a video, without picking up your voice or the room.
Why do I hear an echo in my recording?
An echo usually means your microphone is hearing your speakers and recording the same sound twice, once directly and once through the air. Wearing headphones is the most reliable fix. Lowering speaker volume, moving the microphone away from the speakers, or using a directional microphone can also reduce the effect, though they are less dependable.
Is Stereo Mix available on every PC?
No. Stereo Mix is a recording device exposed by some audio drivers, and many newer systems either hide it or do not provide it at all. If it does not appear even after showing disabled devices, use a recorder that captures desktop audio directly, such as OBS Studio, instead of relying on that device.
How do I fix audio that drifts out of sync with the video?
Start by closing heavy background programs and checking that the recorder is not dropping frames, since overload often causes drift. If the gap is steady, OBS lets you add a sync offset in milliseconds under Advanced Audio Properties. Bluetooth headsets can add their own delay, so a wired headset is worth trying for a test recording.
