How to Screen Record on a Chromebook (With Audio)
You can screen record on a Chromebook in seconds with a built-in tool, no app needed. Here is how to record the full screen or part of it, with audio.
Key Takeaways
- Chromebooks have a built-in screen recorder, so you do not need to install anything.
- Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows to open the capture toolbar.
- Recordings save as WebM video files in your Downloads folder.
- Turn on the microphone option if you want to capture your voice.
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To screen record on a Chromebook, press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows (the key that looks like a rectangle with two lines), then choose the screen record option and pick what to capture. The recorder is built into ChromeOS, so there is nothing to install. Here is the full process.
Open the screen capture toolbar
The screen recorder lives in the same tool as screenshots.
- Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows. The Show windows key is usually in the top row, above the 6 and 7.
- A small toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen.
- Click the screen record icon (the circle), not the camera icon.
If your keyboard does not have a Show windows key, open the Quick Settings panel in the bottom right and click Screen capture.
Choose what to record
Once you are in screen record mode, pick how much of the screen you want.
- Full screen: records everything. Click anywhere to start.
- Partial screen: drag a box around the area you want, then click Record.
- Window: click a single open window to record just that.
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Record your voice or system audio
By default the recorder may capture no sound. To fix that, click the Settings (gear) icon in the capture toolbar before you start.
- Turn on Microphone to record your voice (great for tutorials).
- Leave it off if you only want what is on screen.
Stop the recording and find the file
To stop, click the red stop button in the bottom right (the shelf), or press the screen capture shortcut again.
- A notification pops up when the recording is saved.
- The file is a WebM video saved in your Downloads folder.
- Open the Files app to play, rename, or move it.
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Why is my screen recording not capturing sound?
If your recording is silent, the microphone option was off. Start a new recording, open the gear menu in the capture toolbar, and turn Microphone on. Also check that no other app is blocking mic access. If your Chromebook is also running slow during recording, a few open tabs may be the cause, see our guide on why your Chromebook is slow.
Recap
Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows, pick the screen record icon, choose full or partial, and turn on the mic if you need audio. Your video lands in Downloads as a WebM file.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Chromebook screen recordings save?
They save to your Downloads folder as a WebM video file. Open the Files app to find, rename, or move them.
Why is there no sound in my Chromebook screen recording?
The microphone was off. Start a new recording, click the gear icon in the capture toolbar, and turn on Microphone before you record.
Can I screen record on a Chromebook without an app?
Yes. ChromeOS has a built-in recorder. Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows and choose the screen record option, no download needed.
How do I record only part of my screen?
In screen record mode, choose the partial option, drag a box around the area you want, then click Record.
About the author
The Mixstackrr Team is a group of writers and editors with more than 10 years of combined experience in SEO and consumer tech. We test devices, dig through settings, and turn everyday tech problems into clear, step-by-step guides anyone can follow.