Whether it’s for creating tutorials, presentations, or simply documenting bugs, screen recording on Windows 10/11 should work seamlessly. However, encountering issues where “screen recording not working” can disrupt your workflow and cause frustration. Fortunately, this guide aims to arm you with practical solutions to troubleshoot and resolve these issues efficiently.
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Solution
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Effectiveness
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Speed of Resolution
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Ease of Use
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Additional Benefits
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Task manager
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High for resource-related issues
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Immediate (post process end)
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Requires some technical knowledge
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Improves overall system performance
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Xbox Game Bar
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High if feature was disabled
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Immediate (post enabling)
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Simple toggle
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Utilizes built-in Windows feature
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Update Graphics Driver
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High for driver issues
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After restart (post update)
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Requires basic technical knowledge
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Enhances overall graphics performance
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Screenpixel
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High for alternative functionality
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Immediate (after installation)
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Very user-friendly
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Enhances overall graphics performance
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Space for Recordings
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High if storage was the issue
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After cleanup or adjustment
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Requires some effort to manage storage
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Improves system performance
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System Restart
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Variable (can be high)
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Immediate (post restart)
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Very simple
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Can resolve unrelated issues too
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Part 1: Understanding Why Your Screen Recording Stopped Working
Before diving into the solutions, it’s crucial to understand the potential reasons why your screen recording might have stopped working on Windows. Various factors can contribute to this issue, ranging from simple settings misconfigurations to more complex system or hardware-related problems. Here are some common culprits:
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Disabled Xbox Game Bar: For many users, the Xbox Game Bar serves as the default method for screen recording on Windows 10/11. If it's accidentally disabled or not properly configured, screen recording won't function as expected.
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Outdated Graphics Drivers: Screen recording relies heavily on your computer's graphics capabilities. An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can lead to recording failures.
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Insufficient System Resources: Screen recording can be resource-intensive. If your system is running multiple applications or processes in the background, it might not have enough resources to execute a recording successfully.
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Corrupted System Files: Sometimes, the issue might stem from underlying system file corruption, affecting the functionality of screen recording tools.
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Storage Issues: A lack of sufficient storage space on your device can also prevent screen recordings from being saved properly.
Understanding these common issues is the first step toward troubleshooting. Once you’ve identified a possible cause, you can apply the most appropriate solution to get your screen recording feature back on track.
Part 2: How to Fix Screen Recording Not Working on Windows 10/11
After understanding the common reasons why screen recording might stop working on Windows, let’s explore the specific ways to troubleshoot and resolve these issues. Here are the first three methods.
Way 1. Check Your Task Manager
One of the first steps in troubleshooting screen recording issues is to ensure that your system is not overloaded with processes that might be hindering its ability to record. Here's how to check and manage your system resources:
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Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
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Review Running Processes: Look through the list of processes and applications running on your computer. Pay special attention to any that are consuming a high percentage of your CPU or memory resources.
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End Unnecessary Processes: If you find processes that are not critical to your current tasks, right-click on them and select "End task" to free up resources. Be cautious not to end system-critical processes.
By managing your system resources more efficiently, you can potentially resolve issues related to insufficient resources for screen recording.
Way 2. Check and Enable Xbox Game Bar
The Xbox Game Bar is a built-in feature in Windows 10/11 that allows for easy screen recording and screenshotting. If screen recording is not working, it's possible that the Xbox Game Bar is disabled or not configured correctly. Here's how to check and enable it:
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Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
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Navigate to Gaming: Click on "Gaming" to access the gaming settings.
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Select Xbox Game Bar: On the left panel, click on "Xbox Game Bar".
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Enable Xbox Game Bar: Ensure the toggle for "Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game Bar" is turned on.
After enabling the Xbox Game Bar, try using the screen recording feature again to see if the issue has been resolved.
Way 3. Update Graphics Driver
An outdated or corrupted graphics driver can cause screen recording to fail. Updating your graphics driver to the latest version can often resolve these issues:
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Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Start menu and select "Device Manager".
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Expand Display Adapters: Find and expand the "Display adapters" section to see your graphics card.
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Update Driver: Right-click on your graphics card and select "Update driver". Then, choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and follow the prompts to install any available updates.
After updating your graphics driver, restart your computer and attempt to use the screen recording feature again to check if the problem has been resolved.
Way 4. Try an Xbox Game Bar Alternative (Screenpixel)
If the built-in Xbox Game Bar does not meet your needs or continues to experience issues, considering an alternative like Screenpixel can be a game-changer. Screenpixel is a robust, user-friendly screen recording tool designed for efficiency and reliability. Here’s how to use it:
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Download and Install: Visit the Screenpixel website to download and install the application. The process is quick and straightforward, minimizing setup time.
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Initiate Recording: With Screenpixel, starting a screen recording is as simple as pressing Ctrl and two mouse buttons simultaneously. This unique shortcut eliminates the hassle of navigating through menus to start recording.
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Select Recording Area: Screenpixel allows you to select the specific area of your screen you wish to record, providing flexibility whether you're capturing a full screen, a window, or a custom area.
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Instantly Share Your Recording: Once the recording is complete, pressing Enter copies a short link to your clipboard, allowing for immediate sharing of your video. This feature is particularly useful for professionals who need to quickly share their recordings with colleagues or clients.
Screenpixel stands out for its ease of use and quick sharing capabilities, making it an excellent alternative for anyone facing issues with the Xbox Game Bar.
Way 5. Expand More Space for Recordings
A common issue that might prevent screen recordings from saving is insufficient storage space. Ensuring your device has enough free space is crucial for recording and saving large video files. Here’s what you can do:
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Check Storage Space: Go to Settings > System > Storage to view your current storage usage.
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Free Up Space: Use the Storage Sense feature in Windows to automatically delete unnecessary files, or manually uninstall applications and delete files you no longer need.
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External Storage: Consider using an external hard drive or cloud storage services to move large files off your device, freeing up local storage for new recordings.
By managing your storage effectively, you can avoid issues related to insufficient space for saving screen recordings.
Way 6. Restart Your Windows
Sometimes, the simplest solution can be the most effective. Restarting your Windows device can resolve a plethora of issues, including those related to screen recording:
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Restart Your Computer: Click on the Start menu > Power button > Restart. This process will close all running applications and clear temporary files, which could be causing the screen recording issue.
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Try Recording Again: After your computer has restarted, attempt to use the screen recording feature again.
A restart can refresh your system’s resources and eliminate any temporary glitches that may have been affecting screen recording functionality.
Conclusion
Remember, the key to successful troubleshooting is to approach the problem systematically. Start with simple solutions like restarting your device and checking for sufficient storage before moving on to more complex fixes like updating drivers or switching to alternative software like Screenpixel. By following these steps, you can ensure that your screen recording capabilities on Windows 10/11 are restored, allowing you to continue your work with minimal disruption.
FAQ
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Why is screen capture not working in Windows 10/11?Screen capture not working or screen recording not working on Windows 10/11 might be due to several reasons, including disabled Xbox Game Bar, outdated graphics drivers, insufficient system resources, corrupted system files, or not enough storage space. Checking and addressing these potential issues can often resolve the problem.
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What is the fastest fix if the screen recorder is not working?The fastest fix can vary depending on the root cause of the problem. However, a quick and effective solution is to restart your computer, as this can resolve many temporary issues affecting screen recording. If the problem persists, ensuring the Xbox Game Bar is enabled or switching to a reliable alternative like Screenpixel for screen recording can also provide a swift resolution.
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What should I do if none of the fixes worked?If none of the suggested fixes resolve the screen recording issue, it might be time to delve deeper into potential hardware or software conflicts. Consider the following steps:
● Perform a system update to ensure all software and drivers are up to date.
● Run a system file checker scan (sfc /scannow in Command Prompt) to identify and repair corrupted system files.
● Explore third-party screen recording software alternatives like Screenpixel, which might not be affected by the same issues as the built-in tools.
● If the problem still persists, seeking professional technical support may be necessary to diagnose and address more complex underlying issues.
