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QuickTime screen recording has no sound? Why, and how to fix it

Updated October 28, 2026

Why the recording is silent

• The microphone is set to None. Then nothing is recorded at all.
• QuickTime doesn't have microphone permission. macOS blocks the microphone until you allow it.
• QuickTime can't record your Mac's own sound. It only listens to a microphone, so the sound in your speakers or headphones never makes it into the file.

Fix 1: Turn on the microphone (for your voice)

1. Press Shift-Command-5, or open QuickTime Player and choose File, New Screen Recording.
2. Click Options in the toolbar that appears.
3. Under Microphone, choose your Mac's microphone or a headset.
4. Record again.

Fix 2: Check the microphone permission

If the recording is still silent, open System Settings, Privacy & Security, Microphone, and make sure QuickTime Player is turned on.

Fix 3: Record the sound your Mac plays

To get the other people in a call, a video or app sounds into the recording:

• A virtual audio device such as BlackHole routes the sound into a pretend microphone. It takes some setup in Audio MIDI Setup.
• A recorder that captures system audio directly needs no audio setup.

Screen & Sound Recorder is a free Chrome extension that records your screen with the computer's sound and mixes in your microphone, on macOS 14.2 or later with Chrome 141 or later. The steps are in How to record your Mac screen with internal audio.

Why it's worse with headphones

Without headphones, the microphone hears a faint copy of the speakers, so a little of the computer's sound sneaks in. With headphones on, it all goes to your ears and none of it reaches the microphone. That's when recordings end up with only your voice.

Related guides

• How to record your Mac screen with internal audio
• How to record a Zoom, Google Meet or Teams call on your Mac