How to Enable System Audio in Snipping Tool on Windows 11

How to turn system audio recording on or off

The short version: open Snipping Tool, click the three dots menu at the top, and select Settings. Find the Screen recording section and turn on the switch for Include system audio by default when a screen recording starts. After that, sounds from your games, videos, and music apps are captured when you record your screen.

You can turn it off the same way if you change your mind. The setting only affects new recordings, so anything you have already saved stays as it was.

1. Open the Snipping Tool app via the Start menu⊞. Type “Snipping Tool” in the search🔍 box and press Enter. The small Snipping Tool window should open.
2. Click the Settings and more button (three dots) in the top right corner. A dropdown menu should open.
3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu. The Snipping Tool settings page should open in the same window.

1. Scroll down to the Screen recording section.
2. Find the switch labeled Include system audio by default when a screen recording starts.
3. Toggle it to On. The switch should change position and show as on.

The setting saves right away, and there is no Save button or restart needed. To undo it, return to this page and toggle the switch to Off.

Troubleshooting Audio Issues

If your recordings still lack sound, check your Windows 11 Settings. Work through these in order:

1. Make sure your audio drivers are up to date through Device Manager. Right-click the Start button⊞, select Device Manager, expand Sound, video and game controllers, and check your audio device for a warning icon or a driver update.
2. If you use a headset, make sure your default playback device (speakers or headphones) is set correctly. Open Settings › System › Sound and pick the right device under Output, or use the Sound control panel🎛️.
3. Play something and check that the volume isn’t muted. System audio only captures what Windows is actually playing, so a muted device gives you a silent recording.

Test with a short recording after each change, so you know which one fixed it.

Microphone vs. System Audio

The Snipping Tool records microphone input (your voice from a headset) and system audio (the sounds from your apps and games) as two separate streams. You can turn on both at the same time if you want to talk over a video. Having one on doesn’t switch the other on, so check each one separately.

If your microphone audio is not working, check your Privacy & Security settings to make sure the app has permission to use your microphone. Open Settings › Privacy & security › Microphone, make sure microphone access is on, and check that Snipping Tool is allowed in the app list. Then start a new recording to test it.

Advanced Configuration

Advanced configuration for the Snipping Tool is usually managed by IT administrators using Group Policy Objects or the Registry Editor (a tool for changing low-level system settings). The Local Group Policy Editor is only included in Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, not Home. On a work PC, a policy set by your admin may override what you choose in the app. That is a common reason for a setting that is greyed out or keeps switching back.

Be careful here, because making a mistake in the registry can cause Windows or your apps to stop working correctly. Before you change anything, export the key (File › Export) so you can restore it, and avoid editing values you don’t understand.

Summary

Getting system audio to work in the Snipping Tool improves your screen recordings. Adjusting your app settings and making sure your Windows privacy permissions are correct lets you capture good audio alongside your video. If it still fails, recheck the default playback device and update the app and your audio drivers. For more help, visit the official Microsoft support page.