In this guide
Open Screen Capture, select Screen record and choose Microphone, Device audio or both in Settings. Record a short test, then play the saved video. Chromebook screen recordings may be WebM; check the format before choosing an audio converter.
To screen record on a Chromebook with audio, press Shift–Ctrl–Show windows, choose Screen record and open Settings. Select Microphone, Device audio, or Device audio and microphone, then choose what part of the screen to record. Stop the recording and play the saved video to check your sound.
Microphone audio captures your voice and nearby sound; device audio is sound played by the Chromebook. Choose both when you need narration and a demonstration's audio, and make a short test before recording the full session.
Record the screen with sound
- Open Screen Capture. Press Shift–Ctrl–Show windows. If an external keyboard has no Show windows key, Google says Ctrl–Shift–F5 is an alternative. Select Screen record in the toolbar.
- Choose the area. Select full screen, partial screen or a window. For a partial recording, choose video rather than GIF when you need sound; Google says GIF captures do not include audio.
- Select the audio source. Open Settings in the capture toolbar and choose Device audio, Microphone, or Device audio and microphone. The available controls can vary by ChromeOS version and device.
- Start and stop. Click the screen, select the area or choose the window as appropriate. To stop, select Stop recording at the bottom right or press Search–Shift–X.
- Find and review the video. Google says recordings save to Downloads by default; the toolbar's Settings can change the folder. Play the saved recording and listen to both the voice and the app sound.
These steps follow Google's screen capture instructions. Record only content you have permission to capture and share; some applications or content may restrict recording.
Choose the audio source
| Goal | Setting to try | Test before a long recording |
|---|---|---|
| Narrate a tutorial | Microphone | Speak a quiet and a normal sentence and play both back. |
| Capture sound from the Chromebook | Device audio | Play the intended app sound and verify it in the file. |
| Explain a video with your voice | Device audio and microphone | Check both sources and whether the music or app masks speech. |
| Record only audio | Use an audio recorder instead of screen capture. | Check the microphone or system source and exported file. |
Why is the screen recording silent?
- Check the selected source. Reopen Screen Capture settings and choose the source you need. A microphone alone does not guarantee direct device-audio capture.
- Check the file type. Choose a video recording, not GIF, when audio is needed. Play the saved file with playback volume raised to a comfortable level.
- Check microphone access. If narration is missing, review Chromebook Settings → Privacy and security → Privacy controls and any physical microphone switch. Google's microphone access guide explains these controls.
- Record a new test. Changing a setting after the fact cannot restore audio that was never captured. Verify the new file before continuing.
The browser microphone test provides an input meter and temporary playback sample. It checks the browser's microphone access; it does not select the source for Chromebook Screen Capture.
Need audio without the screen?
Google documents a Recorder app for Chromebook Plus that can select a microphone or Chromebook audio. Availability and options depend on the device. For a short microphone take in a compatible browser, the voice recorder captures locally for about two minutes and offers WAV or MP3 preparation when supported. Download the result before leaving the page.
Editing or extracting the saved audio
Google lists WebM for partial-screen video recordings. Check the saved file format. For a compatible WebM up to 50 MiB and five minutes, try the local WebM to MP3 converter. Browser codec support varies; keep the original and check sound and timing after conversion.
For a supported local recording containing a competing sound, the voice isolator can test a voice separation. It can leave bleed or alter words, and AI downloads require an account and credits. It does not turn a screen recording into separate original microphone and device tracks.
For an audio-only take, see how to record audio on a Chromebook.
For a WebM audio-only delivery, see how to convert WebM to MP3 using VLC or FFmpeg.
Common questions
Can I record the Chromebook's audio and my voice?
Google documents a Device audio and microphone choice in Screen Capture settings. Select it if available, make a short test and listen to the saved video.
Where is the recording saved?
Google says Downloads is the default; the save folder can be changed in Screen Capture settings. Check that location and play the file before sharing.
Can Saturalabs extract audio directly from WebM?
Yes, the WebM to MP3 converter can process compatible short WebM files locally. Browser codec support and the stated size and duration limits apply.