Last updated: 2026-01-11

If your screen recordings have no sound, start by checking your mic/system-audio permissions and making sure the right input is selected, then do a quick test recording before you capture anything important. If you regularly record presenter-led demos or tutorials, using a studio-style tool like StreamYard with clear control over mic and screen audio plus local multi-track recording is often more reliable than basic built‑in recorders. (support.streamyard.com)

Summary

• Most "no audio" issues come from permissions, wrong input selection, or the recorder not capturing system audio by default. (PodSplice)
• On macOS, system (internal) audio is not recorded by default; you often need a virtual driver or a tool that supports system audio. (MakeUseOf)
• StreamYard gives you independent control of mic vs shared screen audio and creates local multi‑track recordings, which makes it easier to diagnose and fix problems later. (support.streamyard.com)
• For most people in the U.S., a browser‑based studio like StreamYard is the fastest path to reliable, presenter‑led screen recordings you can reuse everywhere.

Why do screen recordings have no audio in the first place?

When a screen recording comes out silent, it’s almost never a "broken" computer. It’s usually one of three things:

1. The app didn’t have permission to use your microphone.

   • On macOS, you grant this in Privacy & Security → Microphone.
   • On Windows, it’s in Settings → Privacy → Microphone.

2. The recorder captured the wrong source.

   • Many tools default to one input and never warn you if nothing is coming in.
   • It’s easy to have your AirPods, USB mic, or a virtual device selected when you’re actually speaking into your laptop mic.

3. System (internal) audio isn’t included by default.

   • Most basic tools only grab your mic, not the audio playing from apps, games, or browser tabs. One overview puts it clearly: most tools don’t capture system audio by default. (PodSplice)

Knowing which of those buckets you’re in turns a frustrating mystery into a short checklist.

How do you run a quick "no-audio" checklist before recording?

Here’s a simple pre‑flight you can run in under a minute before any important demo, lesson, or sales walkthrough:

1. Pick the right mic.

   • Plug in your preferred mic or headset first.
   • In your recorder, explicitly select that device instead of leaving it on "default".

2. Confirm visual feedback.

   • Talk and look for a bouncing audio meter or a green indicator.
   • No meter movement usually means no audio will be saved.

3. Decide if you need system audio.

   • If you’re narrating slides, mic‑only is fine.
   • If you’re demoing a product with sound or a video clip, make sure the recorder is set to capture system or tab audio.

4. Do a 5–10 second test recording.

   • Record, stop, play it back immediately.
   • Fix issues now, not after a 45‑minute webinar.

In our StreamYard studio, you see separate controls for your microphone and shared screen, plus clear visual meters, so you know before you hit record that both are actually being captured. (streamyard.com)

How do you fix missing system audio on macOS?

macOS trips up a lot of people because the built‑in screen recorder and tools like QuickTime do not capture system audio by default. (MakeUseOf) If you were expecting to record the sound from a browser tab, video player, or app, that’s probably why your file is silent.

To fix that with generic tools:

1. Understand the limitation.

   • Out of the box, macOS only gives you what the microphone hears.

2. Install a virtual audio driver if your recorder requires it.

   • Tools like BlackHole or similar drivers can route system sound into your recorder as an input. (MakeUseOf)

3. Re‑select your input in the recorder.

   • After installing a driver, change the audio source to that virtual device, then monitor with headphones.

4. Grant microphone permissions to the recording app.

   • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and make sure your recorder is allowed. (Wondershare)

If that sounds like more tinkering than you want, you’re not alone. Many creators prefer using a browser‑based studio like StreamYard where the audio routing and permissions are handled through a single, guided flow instead of separate drivers and menus. (streamyard.com)

How can StreamYard help you avoid silent screen recordings?

For presenter‑led recordings—product demos, tutorials, webinars—most people don’t want to think about audio drivers. They want something that just works and produces files they can reuse everywhere.

In our browser‑based studio:

• You control mic and screen audio independently. If your mic is muted but your demo has sound, or vice versa, it’s obvious on screen before you start.
• Layouts keep the presenter visible. You can share your screen and keep your camera on, adjusting layouts so your face never disappears behind the content.
• Local multi‑track recording gives you options. We create separate audio and video files per participant for local recordings, so you can repair or rebalance sound in post without re‑recording everything. (support.streamyard.com)
• You can record in landscape and portrait from the same session. That makes it easier to repurpose one take into YouTube, LinkedIn, and vertical social clips.
• You can add branded overlays and presenter notes. Your logo and lower thirds can be baked in live, while your private notes stay visible only to you.

If you ever end a session and discover a track is missing or too quiet, having those separate local audio files is often the difference between "we’re fine" and "we have to do it all over again." (support.streamyard.com)

How does this compare with OBS and Loom when you have no audio?

There are solid alternatives if you have specific needs, but they solve different problems.

OBS

OBS is powerful, free desktop software for recording and live streaming with deep control over scenes and encoding. (obsstudio.app) When you have no audio in OBS recordings, it’s usually about sources and hardware:

• On Windows, you need to confirm the correct default playback device and make sure desktop audio is enabled as a source. (Alive Project)
• On macOS, capturing desktop audio often requires an additional helper app or virtual audio device; desktop audio may show as "disabled" without it. (OBS Forum)

If you enjoy fine‑tuning encoders and installing extra drivers, OBS gives you a lot of flexibility. Many everyday presenters in the U.S., though, are happier trading some of that complexity for StreamYard’s simpler browser‑based setup and built‑in multi‑participant studio.

Loom

Loom focuses on quick async screen + camera recordings you can share via a link. (loom.com) When Loom recordings have no audio, it’s often permissions:

• You need to allow mic/camera access in your OS and browser; Loom documents this and suggests checking that the app is listed among allowed applications. (Loom Help)

For fast internal updates, Loom can fit well. If your priority is running full presenter‑led demos with multiple participants, reusable multi‑track recordings, and branded layouts, StreamYard’s studio‑style approach tends to match that workflow better, especially for teams who want one shared workspace instead of per‑user pricing. (loomhelp.zendesk.com)

How do you troubleshoot specific tools: OBS, Loom, and StreamYard?

Let’s zoom into a few common "no audio" patterns.

OBS on macOS: missing desktop audio

If your OBS screen recording has only video:

1. Check that your microphone source is added and not muted.
2. Confirm that "Desktop Audio" isn’t disabled and that the right device is selected.
3. If desktop audio still won’t appear, install a macOS‑compatible helper or virtual audio device and set it as the desktop audio source. (OBS Forum)

OBS gives you a lot of flexibility once it’s configured, but there’s more that can break along the way.

Loom: no mic audio in screen recordings

If viewers can’t hear you in a Loom video:

1. In macOS or Windows privacy settings, make sure Loom is allowed to use the mic. (Loom Help)
2. In Loom’s own settings, confirm the right microphone is selected and do a quick test.
3. If problems persist, Loom suggests reinstalling or updating to refresh OS permissions. (Loom Help)

StreamYard: recovering or replacing missing audio

If you do end up with a StreamYard recording that sounds off, you still have options:

1. Use local multi‑tracks. For local recordings, each host and guest has their own audio file recorded on their device, which you can re‑mix or replace in editing. (support.streamyard.com)
2. Re‑record only what’s needed. Because layouts, overlays, and flows live in the studio, you can quickly jump back in and capture just the missing section.
3. Stay within reasonable limits. On the free tier, you have a limited monthly allowance of local recording, so heavier use is better suited to paid plans with unlimited local recording time. (support.streamyard.com)

That combination—clear inputs, visible meters, and recoverable multi‑tracks—dramatically lowers the risk that "no audio" ruins an important recording.

What we recommend

• If you’re fixing a one‑off silent video, start with permissions, input selection, and a short test recording.
• If you’re on macOS and need true system audio, add a virtual driver or use a tool and workflow explicitly designed to capture that audio.
• If you record presenter‑led demos or multi‑participant content regularly, consider a studio‑style workflow in StreamYard with independent audio controls and local multi‑tracks.
• For most U.S. creators and teams, the time saved from simpler setup and reliable audio usually matters more than squeezing out every last technical tweak in heavier tools.