How to Record Video with Streamlabs Desktop

Updated 8 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Streamlabs Desktop can capture your screen, a game, a camera, and microphone audio into a video file without starting a livestream. Before recording, choose what to capture, check your audio and save location, then make a short test clip so you can confirm everything is working.

What You’ll Need

Streamlabs Desktop installed on a computer, with permission to capture your screen or game if your operating system requests it.
Enough free storage for the recording. Video files can become large, especially at high resolution or frame rate.
A microphone or camera only if you want narration or face-camera footage. Built-in devices can work, too.
The game, application, or screen you plan to record, open before you begin if it is a game capture.

Step-by-Step

Open Streamlabs Desktop and choose a scene. A scene is a layout containing the sources that appear in your video. You can use the default scene or create one with the plus button in the Scenes panel and give it a descriptive name, such as “Screen recording.”
Add the video source. In the Sources panel, select the plus button and choose the source that matches your goal. For a game, select Game Capture and choose the game or capture mode offered. For a particular app window, choose Window Capture. To record the whole desktop, choose Display Capture. Add Video Capture Device for a webcam. Source names and available options can vary by operating system and Streamlabs version.
Set up the source. Follow the prompts to select the correct display, window, game, or camera. If the preview is too small or positioned incorrectly, select the source and adjust its bounding box in the preview. Keep important content inside the frame. Avoid adding Display Capture when a specific window source will do, since display capture can show notifications or other private material.
Check microphone and desktop audio. Speak and watch the audio mixer. The microphone meter should move when you talk; desktop or game audio should move when sound plays. If a device is missing or the wrong one is selected, open Settings and look under the audio options to choose the intended input and output devices. Use headphones if speaker sound is feeding back into the microphone.
Choose recording settings. Open Settings and find the Output section, then select the recording controls or recording tab. Choose a save location with adequate free space, a recording format, and quality or encoder options available on your system. If unsure, keep the recommended defaults and use a widely supported format such as MP4 where available. Some formats are more resilient if a recording is interrupted, but may require conversion before editing or sharing.
Set the video canvas and frame rate. In Video settings, check the base canvas resolution and output resolution. The canvas should match the content you intend to capture; the output resolution controls the recorded image size. Choose a frame rate your computer can sustain. Higher resolutions and frame rates use more processing power and storage, so start with moderate settings if performance is uncertain.
Make a short test recording. Click Record, perform a few seconds of the action you plan to capture, then click the recording control again to stop. Find the file in the save location selected in Settings. Play it back and verify the picture, game or desktop sound, microphone level, and synchronization. Fix any issues before recording a long session.
Record the full video. Close unrelated windows and silence notifications if appropriate. Confirm the correct scene is active, then click Record. Watch the preview and audio meters briefly after starting. When finished, click Stop Recording and wait for the file to finish saving before closing Streamlabs Desktop.
Review and organize the file. Play the completed recording in a media player, check its beginning and ending, and confirm audio is present. Rename or move the file only after it has finished saving. If you plan to edit it, import a copy into your editor and keep the original until you know the edit is complete.

Common Mistakes

Starting without a test: A scene can look correct while its audio source is muted or its capture source is blank. Test both picture and sound first.
Choosing the wrong capture source: Display Capture records the selected monitor, while Window Capture targets an app and Game Capture targets a game. Choose deliberately and check the preview.
Recording to a nearly full drive: Long or high-quality recordings can consume substantial space. Check storage before starting and select a drive with room.
Using settings the computer cannot sustain: Very high resolution, frame rate, or quality can cause dropped frames, stuttering, or a failed recording. Lower one setting at a time if performance suffers.
Forgetting privacy and notifications: Desktop capture may include messages, account details, or pop-ups. Close sensitive material and check what is visible before pressing Record.
Closing the app too quickly: Stopping a recording may require a moment to finalize the file. Wait, then confirm the file exists and plays.

Tips

Give scenes and sources clear names, especially if you switch between gameplay, webcam, and desktop layouts.
Use a separate microphone track if your recording setup offers that option and your editing workflow can use it. This makes voice level adjustments easier later.
Keep the microphone meter out of the clipping range. If it reaches the top or sounds distorted in the test, lower the input level or move the microphone farther away.
Save recordings to a folder you can find easily, and use a consistent filename pattern that includes the subject or date.
For a long session, check that the computer is not likely to sleep and that the selected drive will remain available. Avoid changing capture settings mid-recording.

Troubleshooting

The preview is black or shows the wrong thing: Confirm the intended scene and source are visible and not hidden. Re-select the correct display, window, or game in the source properties. For a game, start the game before configuring capture, then reopen the source properties. On systems that restrict screen capture, allow the app the requested screen-recording permission and restart it if prompted.

There is no microphone or desktop sound: Check that the correct device is selected in audio settings and that its mixer channel is not muted. Check the operating system’s input or output selection and volume controls as well. Make another short test; audio meters should respond before you record a full video.

The video stutters or looks choppy: Reduce the output resolution or frame rate, close other demanding applications, and try a less demanding encoder or quality setting. Record a short test after each change. If only the captured game stutters, lower the game’s graphics settings or limit its frame rate.

The recording is missing or will not play: Check the save path in recording settings and search that folder for the latest file. Make sure the drive is connected and has free space. If the file format is unsupported by your player or editor, try a player that supports it or convert a playable copy using a reputable media tool; do not delete the original until you have a verified replacement.

Audio and video are out of sync: First test with fewer demanding settings and confirm the issue is present in the saved file, not just the live preview. Reduce system load and verify that the selected audio devices are stable. If it persists, record a short sample with a different available encoder or audio device to isolate the cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record without going live?
Yes. Use the Record control in Streamlabs Desktop; you do not need to start a livestream.

Where does Streamlabs Desktop save recordings?
The location is shown in the recording settings under Output. Choose a folder you can access and confirm the path before recording.

Can I record my screen and webcam at the same time?
Yes. Add a screen, window, or game source and a Video Capture Device source to the same scene, then position and resize the camera in the preview.

Why is my game capture black?
The selected game or capture mode may be wrong, or the game may not be open yet. Start the game, check the source properties, and try another available capture source if needed.

Which recording format should I use?
Choose a format supported by your editing or playback software. MP4 is widely supported, while other available formats may better tolerate an interruption; verify the file with a short test before an important session.

Does recording affect game performance?
It can, because capturing and encoding video use system resources. Lower resolution, frame rate, or quality and close unnecessary applications if gameplay becomes less smooth.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.