Microphone vs system audio: what’s the difference?
Most “my recording has no sound” problems come from mixing these two up. Every recorder treats them as separate switches.
- Microphone audio is what your mic hears: your voice, and anything else in the room. You need it for walkthroughs, tutorials and feedback videos.
- System audio (also called device audio, PC audio or internal audio) is the sound your computer plays: a video, a call, app alerts. You need it when the sound on screen is part of what you’re showing.
- Both lets you talk over a video or demo while its sound plays. Keep the system volume a little lower than your voice.
Screen recording with audio: what each device supports
| Device and tool | Microphone | System audio | Where to turn it on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11: Snipping Tool | Yes | Yes | Before you start, or in Snipping Tool settings |
| Windows 11 and 10: Xbox Game Bar | Yes | Yes | Win+G > Settings > Capturing; Win+Alt+M for the mic |
| Mac: Screenshot app | Yes | macOS 27 or later | Shift+Command+5 > Options |
| Chromebook: Screen capture | Yes | Yes (Device audio) | Gear icon > Audio |
| Chrome: tab | Through the site | Yes, that tab only | Audio switch in the share dialog |
| Chrome: entire screen | Through the site | Windows and ChromeOS; newer Macs | Audio switch in the share dialog |
How to record your screen with audio on Windows
Snipping Tool (Windows 11). Press Win+Shift+R, select the area, then turn your microphone and PC audio on or off before you select Start. Microsoft added both options to Snipping Tool in 2023, and the app’s settings let you choose the defaults for new recordings. Update Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store if you don’t see them.
Xbox Game Bar (Windows 11 and 10). Press Win+G, open Settings, go to Capturing and choose which sounds to include: game only, all system sound, or with your mic. Then press Win+Alt+R in the app you want to record. Win+Alt+M mutes or unmutes your mic mid-recording. Game Bar records one app at a time, not the desktop.
Full steps, shortcuts and save locations are in our Windows screen recording guide.
How to record your screen with audio on a Mac
Press Shift+Command+5, open Options and choose a microphone to record your voice. Apple’s help page says Macs on macOS 27 or later also show an Include System Audio option there. On earlier versions, the built-in recorder captures the mic only.
Mac audio has enough quirks to need its own page. See how to screen record on a Mac with audio for each macOS version and the workarounds.
How to record your screen with audio on a Chromebook
- Open Screen capture
Press Shift+Ctrl+Show windows, then select Screen record.
- Pick your audio
Select the gear icon. Under Audio, choose Microphone, Device audio, or Device audio and microphone.
- Record
Choose full screen, partial screen or a window, and start. Press Search+Shift+X to stop.
GIF recordings never include sound, so choose Record video. More detail is in our Chromebook screen recording guide.
How to record your screen with audio in Chrome
Browser recorders, extensions and video call apps all use Chrome’s screen sharing dialog. That dialog has three tabs (a Chrome tab, a window or your entire screen), and what audio you can share depends on the tab and your computer:
- A Chrome tab: turn on the audio switch to share that tab’s sound. This works on Windows, Mac, ChromeOS and Linux. Only that tab’s audio is captured.
- Your entire screen on Windows or ChromeOS: an audio switch shares all the sound your computer plays.
- Your entire screen or a window on a Mac: Google says sharing device audio this way needs macOS 14.2 or later and an up-to-date Chrome. macOS asks for permission the first time.
Your microphone is separate. The site or extension asks for mic access on its own, and Chrome shows a prompt. If you blocked it earlier, go to Chrome’s Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Microphone and allow the site.
Want to compare recorder extensions? Read our guide to the screen recorder Chrome extension.
Why does my screen recording have no sound?
Run through this list in order. Most fixes take seconds.
- Check you turned on the right source. Voice needs the microphone. Video or app sound needs system audio. Each has its own switch.
- Check the right mic is selected. If you have a headset, webcam and laptop mic, the recorder may be listening to the wrong one.
- Check operating system permissions. On Windows 11: Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone, and turn on access for apps and desktop apps. On a Chromebook: Settings > Privacy and security > Privacy controls > Microphone access. On a Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone, and Screen & System Audio Recording for screen capture.
- Check browser permissions. In Chrome, a blocked mic stays blocked until you allow it under Site settings.
- In Chrome, look for the audio switch. If the share dialog doesn’t show one for your choice, share a tab instead. Tab audio works on every computer.
- Check the volume. Muted system sound or a muted app records as silence.
- Do a 5-second test. Record, play it back, then do the real take.
Where Clipfold fits
We’re building Clipfold, a browser screen recorder (website plus Chrome extension) that records your screen, a window or a tab with optional camera and mic. It uses the same Chrome sharing dialog described above, so the audio rules are the same. When you stop, the share link is ready and a transcript is included, so people can read along or skim. Clipfold is launching soon with a free plan. Join the waitlist to try it first.