Troubleshooting

Mac screen recording has no sound? Check these inputs

Check playback first. Then test the microphone and system audio separately.

First check whether the file is silent or playback is muted. Play the video, turn up the player volume and confirm the Mac’s output device. Apple explains the controls in Sound output settings.

01Check playback
02Test your voice
03Test app sound

If your voice is missing

Check the microphone selected in the recorder. A disconnected headset can leave the wrong input selected. Speak and watch the input level in System Settings → Sound → Input. Apple’s input guide covers the device and volume controls.

Then check Privacy & Security → Microphone. The recorder needs permission to use it. See Apple’s microphone permissions guide.

If the app’s sound is missing

Microphone audio is different from system audio. In Moonshot, enable System audio as well as any microphone you need.

For the built-in Screenshot recorder on macOS 27 or later, check Include System Audio. Apple’s recording guide identifies that version requirement.

Check Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording for third-party recorders. Apple documents screen and audio access separately from microphone access.

Test one source at a time

Make one short recording with only the microphone. Make another with only system audio. Play both files. That tells you which input needs attention.

Moonshot settings used to check microphone and system audio separately
Check each input separately. Product capture from September 10, 2026.

If it still fails

Keep the failed test and note the recorder version, macOS version, selected device and permission state. Send those details with a bug report. Do not assume the cause from a silent file alone.

For a fresh setup, use the Mac screen recording audio guide.

More guides

Keep going.

All recording guides · Bug report template · Compare tools

Hit record.

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