Screen recording with audio on Windows isn’t rocket science, but it definitely has its quirks—especially when you’re trying to get everything just right. Maybe you’ve tried using the Xbox Game Bar and noticed that sometimes the audio doesn’t record, or maybe it defaults to microphone only, which is kind of annoying if you want system sounds included. On other setups, everything works like a charm, but then for no reason, it suddenly doesn’t. Of course, Windows has to make it harder than it should be. The good news is, with a few tweaks, it’s possible to make it more reliable, or at least understand what’s going on behind the scenes so you don’t end up frustrated every time you hit record.
How to Screen Record with Audio on Windows
Open Xbox Game Bar and Check Settings
First thing, press Windows + G to bring up the Xbox Game Bar. If you see that overlay, great. If not, make sure it’s enabled in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar (because, of course, Windows has to keep it hidden somewhere).Sometimes, on fresh installs or after Windows updates, this toggle gets turned off, so double-check it. Once it’s open, you’ll see a bunch of widgets, including the Capture widget. But here’s the kicker: for audio, you need to ensure your settings are right.
Under Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone, make sure Allow apps to access your microphone is turned on. Also, verify in Privacy > Microphone that Xbox and Game Bar have permission to access your microphone. Sounds obvious, but sometimes these pesky permissions get reset after updates.
Now, in the Xbox Game Bar overlay, click the microphone icon or the gear to check your audio sources. For system sounds, you want All system sounds to be captured—otherwise, you’re only getting your mic input. On some setups, it defaults to mic only, so you might need to go into your sound settings.
To confirm, right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar, then choose Open Sound settings. Scroll down to Advanced sound options and check which output device is active, plus the properties of your recording device if you’re using an external mic. If using system audio, make sure your app (like your browser or game) is set to output sound to the same device that Windows is recording from.
Configure Audio Recording in Xbox Game Bar
Next, in the Captures widget (or via Settings > Gaming > Captures), set your preferred save location, bitrate, and frame rate. Here’s a neat trick: try turning on Record audio when I record a game—it just makes sure system sounds get captured. Some users report that on certain hardware, enabling Record game audio only or Include system sounds makes a difference. It’s kind of weird, but worth a shot.
Also, if you want to record your microphone along with system sounds, ensure the slider for Record microphone in the overlay is enabled, and the correct microphone device is selected in Windows sound settings. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, you need to toggle these manually every time—the app doesn’t always remember.
Start and Stop Recording
Once everything’s set, hit Windows + Alt + R to start recording. You should see a timer or small overlay indicating it’s recording. To stop, hit the same shortcut again. The video will be saved to your default Videos > Captures folder, unless you changed it manually. Expect your file to be in MP4 format, ready to share or edit.
Be aware that on some machines, the first few recordings might not capture audio properly until you restart the app or sometimes even the whole PC. If that happens, close Xbox Game Bar completely, restart it, or try logging out and back in to your Windows profile.
Alternative: Using OBS Studio for More Control
Another approach that’s worth mentioning—because sometimes Xbox Game Bar just isn’t enough—is using OBS Studio. It’s free and more flexible. With OBS, you can create customized scenes, capture specific window areas, and precisely select your audio sources—be it system sounds, microphone, or both. Plus, it’s less finicky once you set it up right. If you’re recording tutorials, gameplay, or anything demanding better control, OBS is the way to go. Just make sure your audio devices are properly configured in Settings > Audio.
Tips for Better Screen Recordings with Audio
- Use headphones: Helps prevent echo or feedback if you’re capturing microphone input while recording audio from the system.
- Test your levels: Do a quick test recording with the volume settings you plan to use—better to fix it beforehand than after.
- Close unnecessary apps: Keeps notifications or background sounds from sneaking in and ruining your shot.
- Hotkeys matter: Customize shortcuts in Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar for quick starts and stops. Sometimes default shortcuts don’t work smoothly, especially if you’re using other software that conflicts.
- Lighting isn’t just for webcams: If you’re recording yourself, decent lighting makes a difference. Plus, a quiet, clutter-free background helps viewers focus on your content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the deal with audio only recordings?
If you just want audio, Xbox Game Bar isn’t the tool—you’ll need dedicated software like Voicemeeter or Audacity. Xbox is primarily for video capture, after all.
Can I record specific parts of my screen?
Xbox captures the entire screen or full windows, but if you want specific areas, OBS Studio or dedicated apps like ShareX are better choices. Sometimes, on one setup it works, on another… not so much.
Is there a performance hit?
Xbox Game Bar is lightweight, but some games or apps might see a slight dip in performance when recording. For lightweight recordings, it’s usually fine—just test beforehand if possible.
Summary
- Check your permissions and sound settings.
- Configure Xbox Game Bar properly—especially audio sources.
- Use hotkeys (Windows + Alt + R) to start/stop.
- Review your saved videos for quality and audio sync.
Wrap-up
Getting reliable audio in your Windows screen recordings can be a bit of trial and error, especially with all the permission and sound settings involved. But once everything’s dialed in, it’s actually pretty straightforward. If the Xbox Game Bar doesn’t cut it, then OBS Studio is definitely worth exploring for more control. Either way, knowing how to tweak these settings can save a lot of frustration down the line. Fingers crossed this helps—worked for me on multiple setups, so hopefully it does for you too.