VLC Record Screen With Audio: Full Guide
Yes, VLC media player can record your screen with audio, and it is completely free. You can capture the entire desktop, a specific window, or a region of your screen, and record both system audio and microphone input simultaneously. This guide explains exactly how to set it up, what to do if audio is missing, and how to get the best results.
Why Use VLC for Screen Recording
VLC is best known as a video player, but it includes a built-in screen capture feature that many people overlook. The main advantage is that you already have it installed—no extra software is needed. It also supports many output formats, including MP4, AVI, MKV, and WebM. However, the screen recorder is basic: it lacks an annotation tool, a timeline editor, or a webcam overlay. For simple recordings like software tutorials, video calls, or gameplay clips, VLC is more than enough.
How to Record Your Screen with VLC (Step-by-Step)
These steps work on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The interface may look slightly different, but the menu names are the same.
- Open VLC and click Media in the top menu, then select Convert/Save (or press Ctrl+R on Windows/Linux, Cmd+R on macOS).
- Go to the Capture Device tab.
- In the Capture mode dropdown, choose Desktop.
- Set the Desired frame rate (e.g., 15 or 30 fps). A higher frame rate gives smoother video but creates larger files.
- Click the Convert/Save button at the bottom.
- In the next window, choose a Profile from the dropdown. For a good balance of quality and compatibility, select Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4).
- Under Destination file, click Browse, choose where to save the recording, and give it a name (e.g., screen-recording.mp4).
- Click Start. VLC will begin recording your entire screen immediately. To stop, click the red Stop button in VLC’s main window or press Shift+S.
How to Record Only a Part of the Screen
By default, VLC records the full screen. To record just a window or a region, you need to use the –screen-region option. This is done by editing the shortcut or command line.
- Windows: Right-click the VLC shortcut on your desktop, select Properties, and in the Target field add
--screen-region=X,Y,W,H(replace X,Y with the top-left corner coordinates and W,H with width and height in pixels). For example:"C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc.exe" --screen-region=100,100,800,600 - macOS/Linux: Run VLC from the terminal with the same flag, e.g.,
vlc --screen-region=100,100,800,600
This method is a bit technical, but it works. A simpler alternative is to resize your window to the desired size and record the full screen, then crop the video later.
How to Record Audio in VLC
VLC can capture both system audio (what you hear) and microphone audio. To enable audio recording:
- In the Capture Device tab (after selecting Desktop), check the box Audio.
- Click Convert/Save.
- In the profile settings, make sure the chosen profile includes an audio codec (e.g., MP3 or AAC). If not, click the Edit selected profile (wrench icon) and under Audio codec select a codec and check Audio.
By default, VLC records the default audio input device (usually the microphone). To record system audio instead, you need to set the Audio input to a loopback device. On Windows, you can use Stereo Mix (if your sound card supports it) or a virtual audio cable. On macOS, you can use BlackHole or Soundflower. On Linux, you can use PulseAudio monitor sources.
To select the audio source, go to Tools > Preferences (or VLC > Preferences on macOS), click Audio, and under Input device choose your desired device. Then restart VLC.
Common Problems and Solutions
Many users run into issues when recording with VLC. Here are the most frequent ones and how to fix them.
- No audio in the recording: Make sure the audio checkbox is enabled and that the profile includes an audio codec. Also check that the correct input device is selected in preferences.
- Video is choppy or laggy: Lower the frame rate to 15 or 20 fps, or reduce the screen resolution. Also close other programs that use CPU or GPU.
- Recording shows a black screen: This often happens on Windows when hardware acceleration is enabled. Go to Tools > Preferences, click Input/Codecs, and set Hardware-accelerated decoding to Disable.
- File is too large: Use a more efficient codec like H.264 and lower the bitrate. You can also record in a smaller region.
- VLC stops recording after a few seconds: This may be due to a temporary file location issue. Check that the destination folder is writable and has enough free space.
Comparing VLC with Other Screen Recorders
VLC is not the only option. Here’s how it stacks up against common alternatives.
- OBS Studio: Free and open-source, with far more features: multiple scenes, webcam overlay, live streaming, and audio mixing. It has a steeper learning curve but is the go-to for serious recordings.
- Built-in tools: Windows 10/11 has Xbox Game Bar (Win+G) for quick recordings, and macOS has QuickTime Player. Both are simpler but lack region selection and audio options.
- ShareX: Free for Windows, great for screenshots and short GIFs, but not as robust for long videos.
- Paid tools like Camtasia or ScreenFlow: Offer editing, annotations, and effects, but cost money.
Choose VLC when you need a quick, free recording without installing anything new. Choose OBS if you need advanced features or plan to stream.
Tips for Better Recordings
To get the best quality from VLC’s screen recorder, keep these points in mind.
- Close unnecessary applications to free up CPU and RAM.
- Use a frame rate of 30 fps for smooth motion, but 15 fps is fine for static slides.
- If you need to record system audio, set up a virtual audio cable before starting.
- Test a short recording first to ensure audio and video are synced.
- Save to a fast drive (SSD) to avoid dropped frames.
- If you plan to edit the video later, record in a lossless format like AVI with no compression, then convert after editing.
Is VLC Screen Recording Free and Safe?
Yes, VLC is completely free and open-source software. It is distributed under the GPL license, meaning you can use it for personal or commercial purposes without paying. The software is widely trusted and has no ads or spyware. However, always download VLC from the official website (videolan.org) to avoid malicious copies. The screen recording feature is safe to use; it does not upload your recordings anywhere, and everything stays on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can VLC record screen with internal audio on Windows?
Yes, but you need to enable a loopback device. If your sound card has “Stereo Mix,� enable it in Windows sound settings, then select it as the audio input in VLC preferences. If not, install a free virtual audio cable like VB-CABLE.
Why is my VLC recording audio but no video?
This usually happens when the screen capture fails due to GPU acceleration. Disable hardware decoding in VLC preferences (Input/Codecs > Hardware-accelerated decoding > Disable) and try again.
How do I record a specific window with VLC?
VLC does not have a direct “record window� option. You can use the --screen-region command-line flag to set the exact pixel coordinates of the window, or you can resize the window to fill the screen and record the full screen.
Does VLC record in 4K?
Yes, VLC can record in 4K if your screen resolution is 4K and your hardware can handle it. However, the frame rate may drop if your CPU/GPU is not powerful enough. Lower the resolution or frame rate for smoother results.
Can I record my face and screen at the same time with VLC?
No, VLC does not support webcam overlay. You would need to use OBS Studio or another tool that allows adding a camera source.
How long can I record with VLC?
There is no time limit in VLC. The recording will continue until you stop it or your disk runs out of space. For long recordings, monitor the file size and available storage.
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