Why screen recording doesn’t record sound on Xiaomi

When you run a built-in voice recorder on a Xiaomi smartphone and the video is missing a soundtrack, it's one of the most common user complaints. This can be very frustrating, especially if you've been trying to record a moment in the game, save a voice message from a messenger or create a training instruction. The problem seems to be a technical malfunction, but in most cases lies in the logic of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.

Modern Android operating systems, including custom shells from the Chinese manufacturer, strictly regulate the access of applications to audio streams, this is done primarily to protect user privacy and prevent hidden recording of conversations. However, these same security mechanisms often block the work of the regular recorder if the correct parameters are not set before shooting.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the possible reasons for your screen silence, from the banal sliders on the menu to the restrictions of DRM access rights. We will not use complex terminology where you can do with simple words, but the technical terms AudioSource and AVC will still meet.

Main reason: Choosing an audio source

The most common reason for the lack of sound is the wrong audio source at the start. When you press the recording button in the notification curtain, the system does not immediately start capture, but opens a small pop-up with settings. This is where the key to solving the problem lies. By default, the system often offers a "no sound" mode or selects a source that does not broadcast internal audio files.

In the preview menu, you'll see a microphone icon or drop-down list. If you select "Off" or "No Sound," the video sequence will be silent even if you're watching a YouTube video. To work properly, you need to switch the mode to "Microphone," in which case the phone will record all the external sounds it picks up through its microphone, including what is playing in the speakers.

⚠️ Note: System Audio on many Xiaomi models is unstable or unavailable in some regions due to Google’s licensing restrictions.If you don’t see this option, it’s okay for your firmware version.

It's also worth mentioning that source selection affects the quality of the final file. Recording through a microphone can bring background noises if you're in a noisy room. However, it's the only guaranteed way to record sound from most applications that block direct audio capture.

Microphone Resolution Settings for Recorder

Even if you choose the right source in the start menu, the application may not have system rights to use the microphone. Android has a strict permission system, and if you ever accidentally hit "Disallow" on the first start of the recorder, the sound will not be recorded.

To fix this, you need to go to the app settings. Find the "Recorder" or "Recorder" list (the name may vary depending on the version of MIUI). Inside the app menu, find "Permissions" or "Rights." Make sure the switch opposite the "Microphone" item is activated and lit in blue or green.

Sometimes permission resets help. Try to forcefully deny access to the microphone and then allow it again. This action restarts the audio driver services associated with this application. If the slider is already on but no sound, try also clearing the app's cache through the Memory menu in the same settings.

Conflicts with other audio applications

Android doesn't mix audio streams from different applications the way a professional mixer does. If Spotify, Telegram or a navigator is running in the background, they can intercept audio focus, at which point the system recorder simply can't access the audio channel because it's busy with another priority process.

Often users forget that they have opened the browser tab with music or run a podcast. Before starting an important recording of the screen, it is strongly recommended to close all foreign applications that work with sound, this will free the audio channel and allow the recorder to capture the necessary information without interference and interruption.

It's also worth checking the Smart Speaker or Mi Sound settings if they're active. They can change the frequency range or direct sound to a particular speaker, which confuses recording algorithms. Turning off equalizers and sound effects while recording often solves the problem of quiet or disappearing sound.

DRM Restrictions and Secure Content

One of the most frustrating reasons for screen silence is digital rights management (DRM) technology, which streaming services like Netflix, Kinopoisk, IVi or Disney+ use to prevent piracy, and when you start a screen recording while watching a movie, the system forcibly blocks not only the video stream (the screen turns black), but also the audio stream.

It's not a bug on your phone, it's not a firmware bug, it's a copyright requirement that's hardwired into Android security, and no amount of settings, root rights or third-party software can get around that restriction by legal means, because encryption is done at the video driver level.

If you want to record a piece of film, you can't do it with regular means. The only workaround is using an external device to capture or recording sound through a second recorder, but the quality will be appropriate. For games and regular applications, this limitation does not apply.

Third-party recording applications

If Xiaomi’s regular Sound Recording continues to work incorrectly, it makes sense to turn to third-party solutions. There are many professional tools in the Google Play Store that can bypass some system limitations or simply have more flexible audio coding settings.

Popular applications like XRecorder or AZ Screen Recorder often request special permissions through ADB or have their own audio control overlays. They can force the microphone to turn on even when the system utility is embarrassed to do so. But beware: installing unknown programs can lead to ads or data collection.

When using third-party software, be sure to check the audio bitrate settings. Often, the default is low quality (such as 64 kbit / s), which causes the voice to be deaf and distorted. Raise the value to 128 or 192 kbit / s for an acceptable result. Also make sure that the settings select "Internal Audio" (if Android allows) or "Microphone".

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Use wired headphones with a microphone when recording the screen, this will separate your voice (comments) from the sound of the game if the application supports separate audio streams, or simply improve the overall clarity of the recording by removing the echo of the room.

System bugs and updates to MIUI/HyperOS

You can't discount the software failures of the shell itself. Some versions of MIUI 13, 14 or early HyperOS have had bugs when the audio service "hangs" after the system update, in which case the banal reboot of the device, which resets all the time processes and drivers, helps.

If the reboot didn’t work, check for updates for the system and the applications themselves. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI/HyperOS version and click “Check Updates.” Often Xiaomi releases patches that fix exactly such critical functionality errors. Ignoring updates can lead to the problem persisting in the long run.

In rare cases, cleaning the data of the system application "Screen Record" helps. Find it in the list of all applications (may need to enable the display of system processes in the settings), click "Clear" → "All data" This will return the settings of the recorder to factory, removing possible conflicting configurations.

⚠️ Warning: Before clearing system application data, make sure you have a backup of important settings, although in the case of a recorder, this rarely results in the loss of personal data other than the record history.

Table of solutions to sound problems

So to quickly navigate the possible causes and the ways to address them, we've developed a spreadsheet that will help you find the very thing that's preventing you from getting quality audio video.

Pay attention to the sequence of actions. Always start with the simplest steps (check sliders) before you move to the complex ones (reset settings or install third-party software). Chaotic actions can only confuse the situation.

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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by simply switching the sound source to the Microphone before recording.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)