How To Capture Screen with Audio on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions

Recording your screen with audio on Windows 11 sounds simple — it should be, right? But sometimes, you run into weird issues. Maybe the mic isn’t working, or the recording is silent even though you see the timer ticking. Or maybe you’re just not sure if Windows is actually capturing your microphone or system sounds correctly. The good news is that the built-in Xbox Game Bar makes it kinda straightforward, but there are some hidden spots where settings can trip you up. Fixes aren’t always foolproof, but with a few tweaks, you can usually get it working without a ton of headaches.

How to Record Screen with Audio in Windows 11

Here’s how to get your screen plus audio recorded the right way, and hopefully avoid some common pitfalls like no audio or poor sound quality. By making sure your settings are right and knowing where everything lives, you’ll be capturing decent videos in no time.

Method 1: Make sure your mic and system sounds are enabled in Xbox Game Bar

This is kind of obvious, but you’d be surprised how often people forget to check the audio input settings inside the Game Bar. If your mic isn’t working, maybe Windows or the app itself is muted or set incorrectly.

Press Windows key + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
Look for the “Capture” widget — if it’s not there, click on the “Overlay Menu” (the little button that looks like a square with a pencil) and choose “Capture” to enable it.
In the Capture widget, see the microphone icon. Click to toggle it on if it’s off. Also, ensure the “Sound” icon (which toggles system sounds) is enabled.
Check your sound settings: go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and make sure apps have permission to access your mic. Windows can sometimes block apps by default.

When you do this, you’re telling Windows and the Game Bar to actually grab audio from your mic and system sounds. On some setups, the microphone volume might be super low, so crank that up in Settings > Sound > Input. If your system sounds aren’t captured, double-check the volume mixer and ensure the system sounds aren’t muted or turned down low.

Method 2: Select the right audio sources before recording

This is optional but can make a big difference especially if you have multiple microphones or audio outputs. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar and open Sound Settings.

Under Input, select the microphone you want to use.
Under Output, make sure the correct speakers or headphones are set as default.
In the Xbox Game Bar’s Capture widget, verify that the correct mic is selected (some versions let you choose which mic to record from).

By selecting the right input device here, you reduce the chance of Windows grabbing the wrong mic or none at all.

Method 3: Confirm recording location and file settings

This might seem basic, but a lot of people forget where recordings actually end up, which leads to frustration. Check the default save location: Settings > Gaming > Captures. Make sure it’s a folder you can find easily.

Also, if using third-party tools or Windows updates messing with defaults, you might want to pick a custom folder for your recordings. This way, they don’t get lost in some random Windows directory.

Method 4: Test and restart if needed

On some setups, it’s kind of weird, but after changing settings or updating Windows, the microphone or system sounds may not get picked up instantly. Try restarting the Xbox Game Bar, or even better, reboot the PC. Sometimes re-log into your audio devices or disconnect/reconnect your mic — it’s a little hack that often does the trick.

If nothing’s working, disable then re-enable the microphone in Device Manager — find your mic under Audio Inputs and Outputs. Right-click and select Disable device, then enable it again.

Tips for Better Screen + Audio Recording in Windows 11

Check your mic levels beforehand — too low, and nobody will hear you. Too high, and it clips or distorts.
Use headphones if recording game audio or system sounds — it helps make sure you’re capturing what you hear, not just what your mic picks up.
Identify background noise — mute unnecessary apps, and consider popping in a dedicated microphone if narrating long videos.
Keep an eye on your system’s audio mixer (right-click the speaker icon and choose Open Volume Mixer) to see if anything gets muted or lowered during recording.
Test recording for a minute first — listen back to ensure audio is crystal clear and synchronized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record my screen without using the Xbox Game Bar?

Yeah, absolutely. You can use third-party apps like OBS Studio, which gives you more control over audio sources and overlays, but they’re a bit more complicated to set up. Windows’ built-in tools are fine for quick captures, but OBS lets you fine-tune everything if you need better audio setup or higher quality.

What if my microphone isn’t detected?

Check the device in Device Manager. If it’s greyed out, update drivers or try unplugging and plugging it back in. Sometimes Windows just gets stubborn — turning off and on the mic in the sound settings can jolt it into detection. And of course, permissions matter, so double-check app permissions for microphone access.

Why is the audio desynced or choppy?

This can happen if your system is under heavy load or if your recording settings are set to too high a quality. Dial down the frame rate or resolution in the Xbox Game Bar’s options, and make sure no other programs are hogging CPU/GPU resources during recording.

Where are the recordings stored?

By default, in your Videos > Captures folder. You can change this in Settings under Gaming > Captures if you’d rather have them somewhere else.

Wrap-up

Getting your Windows 11 screen recordings to include audio isn’t exactly rocket science, but it’s easy to overlook the small settings. Checking your mic permissions, ensuring the right input is selected, and tweaking the capture options usually does the trick. It’s a bit of trial and error at times — because Windows has to keep making stuff more complicated than it needs to be — but persistence pays off. Once it’s dialed in, you’ll be able to share tutorials, gameplay, or meetings with audio that sounds decent enough for most purposes. Just keep an eye on those settings, and don’t be afraid to re-boot or fiddle around a bit. Sometimes, that’s all it takes for it to work smoothly.