Why is there no audio in my screen recording?

Check That Audio Input is Enabled

The most common reason for no audio in a screen recording is that the audio input device has not been enabled. Most screen recording software like OBS Studio, Bandicam, and Camtasia require you to specifically enable audio input in the settings.

To fix this:

1. Open your screen recorder’s settings or preferences menu.
2. Look for an “Audio” or “Microphone” section.
3. Make sure the audio input device you want to record from is selected and enabled.
4. For example, check the box next to “Record Microphone Audio” or select your microphone from the “Microphone” drop down menu.

Confirm that audio levels are registering properly when you speak into your microphone. If you see the audio input levels responding, then audio should record when you start your screen capture.

According to TechSmith’s blog, selecting the “Record Microphone” option in your screen recorder’s settings is required to capture your voice audio (source).

Audio Permission Issues

One common reason for no audio in screen recordings is that the recording app may not have permission to capture system audio. On platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, apps need explicit access to record system audio due to privacy concerns. If the screen recording app does not have this permission, it will be unable to record any audio from your computer or device.

To fix this, you need to grant microphone/audio permissions to the screen recording app in your system settings. The process varies by operating system:

• On Windows 10 and 11, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and enable microphone access for the screen recorder app.
• On Mac, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Microphone and check the box next to the screen recorder app to allow microphone access.
• On iOS, go to Settings > Screen Recording and toggle on Microphone Audio.
• On Android, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions > Microphone and allow microphone access for the screen recorder.

Once you have granted the necessary audio permissions, the screen recording app should be able to capture your microphone and system audio. If you are still having issues, you may need to troubleshoot other potential causes.

Audio Device Conflicts

Other apps may have exclusive control of the audio device in a manner that blocks the screen recording from accessing the microphone. Virtual assistants, video conferencing apps, and stereo mixer utilities often take priority audio access which prevents recording software from capturing any audio.

To resolve this, close any apps that may be using the microphone or adjust their permissions in Windows Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Alternatively, a software audio mixer can be used to combine multiple audio sources into a single output that can be captured instead.[1]

Virtual audio cables or internal audio routing may also cause conflicts if not configured properly for screen recording software. Check that cables are connected to the correct input/output devices and any loopback or listen settings do not create an audio feedback loop.[2]

Microphone Troubleshooting

One of the most common reasons for no audio in screen recordings is an issue with the microphone settings, connections or permissions. Here are some steps to troubleshoot microphone problems:

First, check that the microphone is properly plugged into the computer and that mic connections are not loose or damaged. Make sure the microphone is the selected input device in your audio or recording settings. Sometimes the wrong input gets selected accidentally.

Next, check microphone permissions and privacy settings. Many operating systems require you to specifically grant permission for apps to access the microphone. Make sure the screen recording app has permission to use the mic. On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and enable access. On Windows 10, go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone and check Allow apps to access your microphone.

Additionally, some third party anti-virus or firewall programs can block microphone access. Try disabling or configuring these programs to allow the screen recorder to utilize the microphone. Checking these basic microphone settings often resolves screen recording audio issues.

For more help, see this Apple discussion thread on fixing microphone problems with screen recording.

Increase Microphone Gain

If you notice that the audio level is too low in your recording, you may need to increase the microphone gain. The microphone gain controls how much amplification is applied to the incoming audio signal before it is recorded. A low gain level can result in audio that is very faint, even if you speak directly into the microphone.

To boost the microphone gain in Windows 10:

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings > System > Sound.
2. Under Input, find your microphone and select Device Properties.
3. On the Levels tab, drag the Microphone Boost slider to the right to increase the gain.
4. Try speaking into your mic again in the screen recorder to check if the volume level has increased.

Increasing the gain too much can introduce background noise or distortion. Adjust the slider gradually until you reach an optimal level. If the volume is still too low, you may need to troubleshoot the microphone itself or try a different input device.

Some screen recording apps like OBS Studio have their own microphone gain controls within the software settings. Consult your recorder’s documentation if the system-wide gain change does not resolve quiet microphone input.

Reduce Background Noise

Unwanted background noise can ruin an otherwise great screen recording. Here are some tips for reducing background noise in your screen recordings:

First, enable noise suppression or audio filters in your screen recording software if available. Many programs like EaseUS Recorder have built-in noise reduction features that can help filter out ambient sounds.

Second, record your audio separately from the screen capture using a microphone close to your mouth. This prevents background noises from being picked up. You can then combine the clean audio with the video in editing.

Finally, create a quiet environment for recording. Turn off any fans, music, or other noises. Close windows and doors to prevent outside sounds. The less ambient noise, the better your audio quality will be.

With some planning and noise reduction techniques, you can achieve great audio clarity in your screen recordings.

Audio Codec Compatibility

One common cause of no audio in screen recordings is an audio codec incompatibility issue. Most screen recording software like OBS Studio, Bandicam, and ScreenFlow rely on audio codecs like AAC, MP3, or PCM to encode the audio [1]. However, certain codecs may not properly record or render audio due to codec conflicts.

For example, the H.264 video codec does not natively support audio encoding and requires a separate compatible audio codec like AAC or MP3 to record sound [2]. Using an incompatible or unsupported audio codec can result in no audio being captured during recording sessions.

To fix this, try changing the audio codec in your screen recorder’s settings to a more widely compatible codec like AAC or MP3. You can also install the required audio codec if missing. Checking your audio drivers are up-to-date can help resolve codec conflicts as well.

Corrupt Audio Drivers

One common reason screen recordings may lack audio is due to corrupt audio drivers on your computer. Audio drivers are software that allow your operating system to communicate with the audio components like your microphone or speakers. Over time, these drivers can become damaged or outdated resulting in audio issues.

If you suspect a driver problem, first try updating your audio drivers to the latest available version. You can usually find driver updates through your computer manufacturer’s website or using a free driver update utility. Be sure to download drivers directly from the manufacturer, not third party sites which may contain malware.

If updating does not fix the problem, you may need to uninstall and reinstall your audio drivers. On Windows, open the Device Manager, expand the Sound, video and game controllers list, right-click on your audio device and select Uninstall. Then restart your PC and Windows should automatically reinstall the driver. On Mac, you can remove audio drivers through the Audio MIDI Setup utility.

Reinstalling the audio drivers will overwrite any damaged files and should resolve corrupt driver issues blocking sound in screen recordings. If you continue to have no audio after driver reinstallation, there may be a different problem at play.

Sources:

https://www.movavi.com/learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound.html

https://democreator.wondershare.com/screen-recorder/screen-record-no-sound.html

Reinstall Screen Recorder App

If issues with screen recording persist after trying other troubleshooting methods, it may be helpful to completely remove and reinstall the screen recorder app. This will delete any corrupt files associated with the app and revert to a fresh installation. According to movavi.com, “reinstalling the screen recording program also restores any default settings that may have been altered, often fixing problems in the process”. Follow the app uninstall and reinstall process for your device to wipe the existing app data and start fresh. Test a new screen recording after reinstalling the app to check if audio issues are resolved.

Reinstalling the screen recorder app can eliminate bugs, glitches, and corrupted data that may be interfering with audio capture. It resets the app to factory default settings which can override any problematic customizations. This straightforward troubleshooting step is quick and easy to perform, costs nothing, and commonly resolves “no sound” problems during screen recording sessions. Before trying more complex fixes, rebooting the screen recording app through uninstall and reinstall is recommended.

Contact Tech Support

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing no audio in your screen recordings, it may be time to reach out to the developer’s technical support team for assistance. Many screen recording apps like Techsmith and Flashback offer customer support options to help resolve issues.

Most companies offer email, live chat, or phone support. Be prepared to provide details about your setup like the app name and version, operating system, microphone model, and steps you’ve already tried. Tech support can investigate further and provide specialized troubleshooting tips or determine if it’s a software bug. As the developer of the app, their team is best equipped to resolve elusive technical issues.

With hands-on assistance from customer support, you’re much more likely to pinpoint the cause and get your screen recordings working properly again. Don’t spend hours pulling your hair out – reach out for help if needed. Customer-focused companies want your app experience to be smooth and seamless.