Windows 11’s built-in Xbox Game Bar makes screen recording pretty straightforward — if it actually works, that is. Sometimes, you hit Win + G, all the widgets pop up, and you click “Start Recording,” only to find the video didn’t save or the recording just doesn’t seem to work. It’s a bit of a pain because, honestly, it should be dead easy, but Windows can be a bit fussy about this stuff. If you’ve tried the usual tricks and still can’t get it happening, don’t stress — there are some fixes to troubleshoot and get it working smoothly. Follow these steps, and you should be able to record your screen without needing some dodgy third-party app every time.
How to Screen Record on Windows 11
Method 1: Make sure the Game Bar is Enabled and Set Up Properly
This is the first thing to check. If the Xbox Game Bar isn’t turned on, no wonder it’s not recording. Here’s how to check:
- Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
- Go to Gaming → Xbox Game Bar.
- Ensure Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller is toggled on.
- Also, check that Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Xbox Game Bar is turned on.
- Sometimes, Windows updates turn these off by default, so flick them back on if needed.
This step is key because if the feature isn’t enabled in settings, pressing Win + G won’t do bugger all. After turning it on, shortcuts and recording should work fine. On some setups, this alone sorts the issue, but if it doesn’t, keep going.
Method 2: Check Recording Permissions and Save Folder
When it’s working, your recordings should end up in Videos\Captures automatically. If that folder’s missing or you’re not seeing any files, it could be a permissions thing or the save path might be off.
- Head to Settings → Gaming → Captures.
- Double-check the Saving location — make sure it points to a real folder. You can change it by clicking the browse button if needed.
- Make sure your user account has the rights to write to that folder. Sometimes, Windows gets a bit funny about folder permissions.
Checking this stuff is handy because if Windows isn’t allowed to save to the folder you’ve got in mind, the files just vanish into thin air. I’ve had a mate’s machine default to another drive, and I didn’t even notice at first.
Method 3: Restart the Xbox Game Bar and Recording Services
If everything looks alright but recordings still won’t start or save, try killing the related processes. It’s a bit of a workaround, but sometimes the service just stalls.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Find the Windows Game Bar process or Xbox Game Monitoring.
- Right-click and choose End task. Then hit Win + G again to see if it resets properly.
- Sometimes, restarting Windows Explorer (find Windows Explorer in Task Manager, right-click, Restart) can help as well.
This trick can sort out weird bugs where the overlay appears but just won’t record or save videos. I’ve seen it fix issues on a few machines — sometimes a full reboot is needed, but often killing the process does the trick.
Method 4: Check for Windows Updates and Graphics Drivers
If the built-in recorder keeps giving you grief, it might be a driver issue or compatibility hiccup. Make sure Windows is fully up to date; Microsoft tends to roll out patches that tidy up hardware and software stuff.
- Go to Settings → Windows Update.
- Hit Check for updates and install anything pending.
- Also, update your graphics drivers. For Nvidia, AMD, or Intel cards, head to their official website and grab the latest version. Outdated drivers can cause the overlay to glitch or stop working altogether.
In my experience, outdated drivers can throw a spanner in the works, especially on machines with integrated graphics or older GPUs.
Method 5: Use a Different Recorder if All Else Fails
Look, sometimes Windows’ built-in tool just throws a sicky — especially after major updates or on tricky setups. If that happens, give a go to free alternatives like OBS Studio or ScreenRec. They’re often more reliable, with better control over quality and formats.
Because, of course, Windows can make simple stuff a pain. But at least this way, you’ve got a backup plan.
Summary
- Make sure Xbox Game Bar is enabled in Settings.
- Check where recordings are saved and if you’ve got permissions.
- Restart the Game Bar process or do a reboot if needed.
- Update Windows and your graphics drivers.
- If all else fails, try a third-party recorder.
Wrap-up
Getting screen recording working on Windows 11 can be a bit hit and miss sometimes, especially if it’s crashing or videos aren’t saving. Usually, it’s just a matter of fixing permissions, toggling some settings, or killing a process or two. If you’re still having trouble, third-party tools like OBS are a fair dinkum option. Just remember, Windows sometimes makes this simple stuff unnecessarily trickier than it needs to be. Good luck — hopefully this saves you a few headaches.