How to Screen Record on Chromebook [2 Easy Ways]

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Do you want to learn how to screen record on Chromebook? Whether you’re looking to create a software tutorial or just want to capture what’s happening on your screen, we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we will show you different ways to record a screen on Chromebook and help you solve some common problems that people face while trying to record their screens. Let’s get started!

So, How to Screen Record on Chromebook?

Chromebook offers two different methods for screen recording: a Screen Capture option and a Keyboard shortcut.

Luckily, the process is pretty easy regardless of which method you choose, so let’s take a look at the steps for each one.

  • Using a Screen Capture Option 

To take a screenshot on your Chromebook, you can use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Switch Window key, and the image will be automatically saved to your Downloads folder.

However, if you want to record your screen, you’ll need to install a screen recorder extension.

Screencastify is one of the most popular options for screen recording for Chromebook, but in order to use it, you need to install the extension from the Google Chrome Web Store.

Once installed and enabled, you can click on Screencastify in your Screen Capture toolbar to start recording. Nonetheless, you’ll need to set up an account before you start recording for more than a minute at a time. If that’s not something you want to do, Nimbus is a good alternative.

To screen record on Chromebook with the extension, you first need to use the built-in screen capture option by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Switch Window key (the button with four squares). This will open up a small menu in the bottom right corner of your screen, where you can select whether you want to record the entire screen or just a portion of it.

  • Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Before we get into details of what you can do with your Chromebook’s keyboard shortcuts, it is important to note that they come in two types: global and browser-specific.

  • Global shortcuts will work no matter what app or window you have open.
  • Browser-specific shortcuts only work in Chrome windows and when a browser extension has been installed.

Now that that’s out of the way, here are some global keyboard shortcuts to help you screen record on Chromebook:

Ctrl + Alt + R – starts/stops a recording

Ctrl + Shift + P – pauses/resumes a recording

F11 – full-screen mode

Esc – stops a recording or exits full-screen mode

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R – displays the recording options dialog box.

You also have some browser-specific shortcuts that you can use to record your Chromebook screen: Ctrl+Shift+H starts and stops video recording, while Ctrl+Shift+U takes a screenshot of what’s currently on your screen.

DID YOU KNOW: It’s forecast that almost 30 million Chromebooks will be shipped globally in 2022, which is a decrease of 21% from the year before.

Common Screen Recording Problems and Their Solutions:

In case you’re having trouble with screen recording on Chromebook, here are some tips to solve different problems.

  • The Chromebook Fails to Save Screenshots and Recordings

If you’re having trouble getting a Chromebook to save your screenshots or recordings, there are a few things you can try:

  1. First, check your storage settings by opening Chrome OS Settings and selecting Storage Management.
  2. Then, make sure that your Chromebook is set to save files locally and not in the cloud.
  3.  If you’re having trouble with the screen recorder on Chromebook while saving screenshots or recordings on a USB drive, check the permissions for that device by going to Settings > Device > Storage & reset and then click on Details. The “Allow Filesystem Read/Write” option must be selected in order for you to save screenshots and recordings on a USB drive.
  • The Chromebook Doesn’t Record Audio

One possible reason why your Chromebook isn’t recording audio is that the microphone

is turned off. To check, open the menu and go to Settings > Advanced. Scroll down until you see the Microphone and make sure it says On under Default Input.

If you have an external microphone, make sure it is plugged in and recognized by your Chromebook.

If everything needed to screen record your Chromebook is turned on and the external microphone works, but there’s still no sound, check your apps, because not all of them have access to recording audio. If you need to record an app with audio enabled (e.g., video conference call), make sure it has the necessary permission.

Also, ensure that your Chromebook is not muted, or restart the device if none of these recommendations do the trick.

DID YOU KNOW: In 2020, there were 40 million Chromebook in use in education worldwide, as Chromebooks are a great option for kids.

Key Takeaways

Chromebook record screen offers two different methods for screen recording: a Screen Capture option and a Keyboard shortcut.
To take a screenshot on your Chromebook, you can use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Switch Window key.
Screencastify is one of the most popular options for recording your screen. In order to use it, you need to install the extension from the Google Chrome Web Store.
There are two types of Chromebook keyboard shortcuts: global and browser-specific.
Global shortcuts will work no matter what app or window you have open, while browser-specific shortcuts only work in Chrome windows and when a browser extension has been installed.

If You Don’t Like the Built-in Recording Option, Try These Chrome Extensions:

If you don’t like the built-in recording option, there are several good Chrome extension options for screen recording on Chromebooks you can download, such as Wondershare, Screencastify, and Nimbus. All three of these have different features, so be sure to read the reviews before deciding which one is right for you.

  • Wondershare

Wondershare is a great option for recording your screen and capturing screenshots. With an intuitive interface and several different options for controlling how much of what appears on the screen gets recorded, it’s very easy to use, allowing you to record audio or video from other sources such as Skype calls as well.

  • Screencastify

This extension is a great way to record your screen on Chromebook and capture screenshots with ease. It also has an intuitive interface, offers several different options so that you can control how much of what appears on the screen gets recorded, and allows you to save both audio and video files in case you want them later (unlike Wondershare, which only saves video files).

  • Nimbus 

This extension is another good option for recording your screen on Chromebook. Due to its intuitive interface, it’s quite user-friendly, allowing you to easily record videos, take screenshots, and even add annotations to your recordings. Additionally, it’s one of the few extensions that allows you the choice between recording in full screen or just a partial screen.

DID YOU KNOW: Chromebooks are far more popular than Apple’s laptops, due to their attractive price. The premium models start at around $500, but there are also decent options for everyday usage for $200 to $300.

Conclusion

So there you have it—everything you need to know about how to screen record on a Chromebook! Whether you want to capture a video tutorial, take screenshots for a presentation,  document, or just make a quick recording of something that happened to be on your screen at the time or some specific window, these tips will get the job done in no time.

Happy recording!

FAQ

Do Chromebooks have a built in screen recorder?

Yes, Chromebooks have a built-in screen recorder. To record a screen on Chromebook, open the Chrome browser and go to Menu > More tools > Screen Capture. When the Screen Capture window opens, click on the Record button and start recording your screen. When you are finished recording, click on the Stop button.

How do I record my screen with audio?

If you’re still wondering how to screen record on Chromebook, you can do this in 3 different ways: using the built-in screenshot and recording tool, the keyboard shortcuts, or an external recorder app.

How do you record your screen with Facecam on a Chromebook?

You need to use an external recorder app. Wondershare offers the Filmora Scrn video editor and a screen recorder for Windows and Mac computers. The program has a built-in camera option that allows you to add webcam footage to your recording.

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