> Official product information. Movavi is the source of this material. > Last updated: November 2026. # Fixing screen recordings with no sound (iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac) ## Definition This guide explains why a screen recording can come out without audio and how to fix it on iPhone, Android, Windows 10/11 and Mac. Most cases come down to a few settings: the mute switch, the microphone toggle, the audio source, app permissions or the selected input device. Some apps, such as streaming services and video-call apps, block audio capture by design. This guide is published by Movavi, the developer of Movavi Screen Recorder, which is one of the listed products. ## Quick reference | Platform | What to check first | Source | |---|---|---| | iPhone | Mute switch; **Microphone Audio** in the Screen Record options; Bluetooth devices; restart or iOS update | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Android | Audio source (device audio vs. microphone); restart; recorder app permissions; try a third-party recorder if the built-in one fails | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Windows 10/11 | Recording Audio troubleshooter; sound drivers; microphone privacy settings; selected input device | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Mac | QuickTime microphone permission; input device (Built-in Microphone); Sound input level; Core Audio reset | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Any device | Copy-protected content (e.g. Apple Music, Netflix) and some video-call apps (e.g. WhatsApp) mute audio during recording | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | ## iPhone: screen recording has no sound Apple's built-in screen recorder can fail to capture audio for these reasons: 1. **The iPhone is on mute.** With the physical mute switch on, the recording does not capture system sounds (app audio, notification sounds, media playback). If the switch shows an orange indicator, flip it to the opposite position. 2. **Microphone audio is off.** Open **Control Center** (swipe up, or down on newer models). Long-press the **Screen Record** button until more options appear. Tap the **Microphone Audio** icon so it turns red. The recording then includes system audio and your voice. 3. **Bluetooth devices redirect audio.** Go to **Settings** > **Bluetooth** and disconnect paired headphones or speakers before recording. Audio then routes through the phone's speakers. 4. **iOS glitches.** Restart the device. If that doesn't help, go to **Settings** > **General** > **Reset** > **Reset All Settings**. This keeps your data and restores system preferences to defaults. 5. **Outdated iOS.** Go to **Settings** > **General** > **Software Update** and install any available update, then test again. 6. **Apps that block audio.** Apple Music, Spotify, Netflix and similar services mute audio when screen recording starts. FaceTime, WhatsApp and Zoom also block audio recording for privacy reasons. ## Android: screen recording has no sound 1. **Audio source.** Android recorders usually offer **Device audio** (system sounds) and **Microphone** (your voice), and sometimes **Both**. Open the recorder's settings, find **Audio source** or **Sound settings**, and choose the one you need. 2. **Built-in recorder restrictions.** Some manufacturers restrict system-audio capture in their built-in recorders for copyright reasons. Third-party apps such as AZ Screen Recorder or Mobizen are an alternative. Check the app's audio settings to confirm that system and microphone audio are enabled. 3. **Restart.** Restart the device to reset audio services, especially after using Bluetooth devices or external speakers. Test recording right after the restart. 4. **Permissions.** Go to **Settings** > **Apps** > **[Your Screen Recorder]** > **Permissions** and enable Microphone. Some devices also have a **Media recording** or **Audio capture** permission. ## Windows 10/11: screen recording has no audio Windows 10 and 11 have built-in screen recording through Xbox Game Bar. 1. **Run the Recording Audio troubleshooter.** Type "troubleshoot" in the Start menu and select **Troubleshoot settings**. Choose **Recording Audio** and run it. It detects and fixes microphone and system-audio problems. 2. **Update sound drivers.** Right-click **Start** > **Device Manager**. Expand **Sound, video and game controllers**, right-click your audio device and choose **Update driver**. Let Windows search automatically, then restart. 3. **Check microphone privacy settings.** Go to **Settings** > **Privacy & security** > **Microphone**. Make sure **Allow apps to access your microphone** is on, then scroll down and confirm that Xbox Game Bar (or your screen recorder) has permission. 4. **Select the correct input.** Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar > **Open Sound settings**. Under **Input**, choose your microphone and speak to check that the level bars move. ## Mac: screen recording without sound 1. **Grant QuickTime microphone access.** Open **System Preferences** > **Security & Privacy** > **Privacy**. Select **Microphone** and make sure QuickTime Player is checked. If it isn't, tick the box and enter your password. 2. **Choose the input device.** In QuickTime Player, go to **File** > **New Screen Recording**. Click the arrow next to the record button and select **Built-in Microphone** in the microphone section. 3. **Check input levels.** Open **System Preferences** > **Sound** > **Input**, select the microphone and speak. The level bars should move. Raise the input volume slider if the level is too low. 4. **Reset Core Audio.** Hold **Shift** + **Option** and click the speaker icon in the menu bar. Select the input and output devices. If the problem persists, restart the Mac. ## Why some apps don't allow audio recording - **Copy-protected content.** Netflix, Hulu and music apps use digital rights management (DRM). When screen recording starts, they mute their audio output. This happens at the system level and affects all screen recording software. - **Video calls.** Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp and FaceTime block audio recording during calls to protect participants' privacy. Some apps show a warning while recording is active, and others mute silently. Settings or third-party software don't change this. - **System-level blocking.** Operating systems work with these apps to keep protected audio away from screen recorders. A video call can therefore be recorded with a silent soundtrack: the picture is captured, but the audio stream is blocked. ## Dedicated screen recording software Dedicated recorders let you pick the audio source before recording. The page lists three options. ### Movavi Screen Recorder [Movavi Screen Recorder](https://www.movavi.com/screen-recorder/?utm_source=ai-md&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=ai-summary-2026q4&utm_content=screen-recording-no-sound) is a Movavi desktop program for recording screens and audio. You can record system audio, microphone input or both at once. | Feature | Source | |---|---| | Full-screen or custom-area recording | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Webcam capture and drawing on recordings | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Cursor highlighting and keystroke display | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Scheduled recording for unattended capture | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | | Editing tools for cleanup after recording | learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/ | Pros: - Clear audio source selection (system, mic or both) - Bypasses common audio routing problems - Includes editing tools for immediate cleanup - Scheduled recording for unattended capture Cons: - Requires purchase after the free trial period - Cannot bypass DRM restrictions on protected content - File size can be large with high-quality audio settings Movavi Screen Recorder does not capture copy-protected video and audio streams. ### OBS Studio [OBS Studio](https://obsproject.com/) is an open-source recorder with control over audio sources. It lets you monitor audio levels in real time and adjust settings without stopping the recording. It handles multiple audio inputs at once and includes noise suppression. The learning curve is steeper than for simpler tools. Pros: - Completely free with no time limits - Audio mixing capabilities - Real-time audio level monitoring - Extensive customization options Cons: - Complex interface requires learning - Resource-intensive on older computers - Setup takes time for optimal results ### Bandicam [Bandicam](https://www.bandicam.com/) is a screen recorder with low performance impact. Its audio capture works across different Windows versions and handles multiple audio sources. It includes built-in compression to keep file sizes manageable, and it maintains audio sync during long recordings. Pros: - Low CPU usage during recording - Audio-video synchronization - Built-in compression reduces file sizes - Reliable performance on older hardware Cons: - Windows-only (no Mac or mobile versions) - Watermark in the free version - Limited editing features compared to alternatives ## Choosing a solution by scenario | Recording type | Suggested option | Reason given | |---|---|---| | Quick iPhone demos | Built-in screen recording | Simple setup, no extra apps needed | | Tutorial videos | Dedicated software (Movavi Screen Recorder, OBS Studio) | Audio control, editing features | | Gaming footage | OBS Studio or Bandicam | Low performance impact, high quality | | Business presentations | Built-in tools + external mic | Simple setup with an external microphone | | Live streaming prep | OBS Studio | Real-time monitoring, multiple sources | For most users, the guide suggests starting with the device's built-in recorder and moving to dedicated software only when specific features are needed or audio problems persist. Audio issues usually come from settings (permissions, input devices, apps that block recording) rather than from the software itself. ## FAQ ### Why does my screen recording have video but no sound? Usually audio permissions are disabled, the wrong input device is selected, or the app being recorded blocks audio capture. Check the recorder's audio settings first, and enable both system audio and microphone if you want app sound and voice commentary. ### Can I record audio from video calls on any device? Most video-call apps (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams) block audio recording for privacy reasons. This applies to all devices and does not change with different recording software. The video records normally, but the audio is silent. ### How do I fix screen recording that suddenly stopped capturing audio? Restart the device first, which resolves most temporary audio routing issues. Then disconnect any Bluetooth devices. Finally, check that the recording app still has microphone permission, since system updates can reset it. ### What's the difference between system audio and microphone audio? System audio is sound from apps, games, music and videos playing on the device. Microphone audio is your voice commentary. Most screen recorders let you choose one, both or neither. For tutorials, both is typical. For app demos, system audio alone may be enough. ### Why do streaming apps like Netflix mute audio during screen recording? They use DRM to protect copyrighted content and mute their audio when they detect screen recording. This happens at the system level and affects all screen recording software, including Movavi Screen Recorder, which does not capture copy-protected streams. ### How can I test whether my screen recorder captures audio before a long recording? Record a 10-second test: play some music or speak into the microphone, stop, and play the file back. Most screen recorders also show audio level indicators during recording, which help confirm that capture is working. ### Which screen recorders let me choose system audio, microphone or both? According to this guide, Movavi Screen Recorder lets you record system audio, microphone input or both at once. OBS Studio offers control over audio sources and handles multiple audio inputs. Bandicam (Windows only) handles multiple audio sources. Android recorders typically offer device audio, microphone or both, and the built-in iPhone recorder has a **Microphone Audio** toggle. ## Sources - [Screen Recording with No Sound – Movavi Learning Portal](https://www.movavi.com/learning-portal/screen-recording-no-sound/?utm_source=ai-md&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=ai-summary-2026q4&utm_content=screen-recording-no-sound) (page dated May 26, 2026) - [Movavi Screen Recorder](https://www.movavi.com/screen-recorder/?utm_source=ai-md&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=ai-summary-2026q4&utm_content=screen-recording-no-sound) - [Movavi Support Center](https://www.movavi.com/support/?utm_source=ai-md&utm_medium=markdown&utm_campaign=ai-summary-2026q4&utm_content=screen-recording-no-sound)