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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchnavigator.mediaDevices.getDisplayMedia() lets a user choose a browser tab, window, or monitor and gives your page a live MediaStream of that surface. It does not directly create one tall, stitched screenshot of an entire scrollable web document. That distinction matters: use this API for screen sharing, previews, recording, or WebRTC transmission; use a document-oriented screenshot workflow when you need one image containing content below the viewport.
This guide shows the correct browser implementation, explains permissions and options, handles audio and errors, and then provides a one-call alternative for generating clean page screenshots.
What getDisplayMedia actually captures
The MediaDevices.getDisplayMedia() API asks the user to select a display surface. Depending on the browser and operating system, the picker can offer a browser tab, a window, or an entire monitor. The returned object is a live MediaStream, normally containing a video track and optionally an audio track.
A selected browser tab is still a view of that tab. The API does not scroll through the document, stitch multiple viewport images, or return an abstract DOM snapshot. Therefore, a request such as “capture the full web page” has two possible meanings:
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- Capture the displayed surface over time: use
getDisplayMedia(), then preview, record, or transmit the stream. - Create one tall image of the complete document: this API is not documented as a one-call solution for that job. You need a separate screenshot process that can render and assemble the page.
The browser always keeps the source decision and consent with the user. Your code can provide hints, but it cannot silently select a particular tab or monitor.
Requirements before calling the API
- Run in a secure context (normally HTTPS; localhost is commonly treated as secure for development).
- Start the call from a transient user activation, such as a button’s
clickhandler. Do not defer it until a timer, promise chain, or unrelated callback after the activation has expired. - Use a focused, active browsing context and a browser that implements the Screen Capture API.
- If the page is embedded, verify that the frame is allowed to use display capture through Permissions Policy (the
display-capturepolicy can be relevant). - Explain to users that notifications, other windows, and confidential data visible on the selected surface may be included.
MDN currently labels this API “Limited availability” and not Baseline, so test every browser and operating-system combination you support rather than assuming identical behavior on desktop and mobile.
Minimal implementation: preview a selected surface
Put a video element and controls in your page:
<button id="start" type="button">Start capture</button>
<button id="stop" type="button" disabled>Stop</button>
<video id="preview" autoplay playsinline muted></video>
<p id="status" role="status"></p>
<script type="module">
const startButton = document.querySelector('#start');
const stopButton = document.querySelector('#stop');
const video = document.querySelector('#preview');
const status = document.querySelector('#status');
let stream;
startButton.addEventListener('click', async () => {
try {
status.textContent = 'Choose a tab, window, or screen in the browser picker.';
stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getDisplayMedia({
video: true,
audio: false
});
video.srcObject = stream;
stopButton.disabled = false;
startButton.disabled = true;
status.textContent = 'Capture is active.';
stream.getVideoTracks()[0]?.addEventListener('ended', stopCapture);
} catch (error) {
status.textContent = `${error.name}: ${error.message || 'Capture failed.'}`;
console.error(error);
}
});
stopButton.addEventListener('click', stopCapture);
function stopCapture() {
stream?.getTracks().forEach(track => track.stop());
stream = undefined;
video.srcObject = null;
stopButton.disabled = true;
startButton.disabled = false;
status.textContent = 'Capture stopped.';
}
</script>The promise resolves only after the user chooses a source and grants access. Assigning the stream to a <video> element gives a live preview. The ended listener handles the user stopping capture from the browser’s own sharing indicator. Always stop every track when finished; otherwise the capture can remain active and the browser may continue showing a sharing indicator.
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Recording the stream to a video file
getDisplayMedia() supplies media; MediaRecorder can encode it. Codec support differs, so select a MIME type the browser reports as supported.
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let recorder;
let chunks = [];
function startRecording(stream) {
const preferred = 'video/webm;codecs=vp9,opus';
const mimeType = MediaRecorder.isTypeSupported(preferred)
? preferred
: 'video/webm';
chunks = [];
recorder = new MediaRecorder(stream, { mimeType });
recorder.addEventListener('dataavailable', event => {
if (event.data.size) chunks.push(event.data);
});
recorder.addEventListener('stop', () => {
const blob = new Blob(chunks, { type: recorder.mimeType });
const url = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
const link = document.createElement('a');
link.href = url;
link.download = 'screen-capture.webm';
link.click();
URL.revokeObjectURL(url);
});
recorder.start();
}
function stopRecording() {
if (recorder?.state !== 'inactive') recorder.stop();
}Call startRecording(stream) after the capture promise resolves. Stop the recorder before stopping tracks if you want the final data event reliably delivered.
Requesting audio without assuming it exists
Audio is optional and browser-dependent. Requesting audio: true permits an audio track when the browser offers one for the chosen surface; it does not guarantee one. The user may select a tab or system source for which audio is unavailable, and the resulting stream may contain video only.
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const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getDisplayMedia({
video: true,
audio: true,
systemAudio: 'include',
windowAudio: 'window'
});
const videoTracks = stream.getVideoTracks();
const audioTracks = stream.getAudioTracks();
console.log({ videoTracks: videoTracks.length, audioTracks: audioTracks.length });systemAudio and windowAudio are hints whose support and defaults vary. Inspect getAudioTracks() and design your UI for the no-audio case.
Options, hints, and constraints
The video member is required in practice: it defaults to true, while video: false causes a TypeError. audio defaults to false. Other commonly encountered options include:
| Option | Purpose | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
preferCurrentTab |
Hints that the current tab should be prominent in the picker. | Does not select the tab automatically. |
selfBrowserSurface |
Hints whether the current tab may be offered. | Browser support and defaults differ. |
monitorTypeSurfaces |
Hints whether monitor surfaces are offered. | Cannot override the user’s choice. |
systemAudio, windowAudio |
Request audio choices associated with a surface. | An audio track is not guaranteed. |
surfaceSwitching |
Hints whether the user can switch surfaces during sharing. | Availability is browser-dependent. |
Apply constraints after selection, for example with track.applyConstraints(). Constraints configure the selected track; they do not narrow the picker or bypass consent. In particular, do not use min or exact constraints in the initial display-capture request where the browser rejects them.
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Security, privacy, and lifecycle
Every request displays browser-controlled permission UI; permission is not a permanent, silent grant that your site can reuse indefinitely. Make the selected source obvious and provide a visible stop control. Consider pausing or stopping capture when your application no longer needs it.
Because capture records pixels, not just your page’s DOM, a user can accidentally expose password managers, notifications, private messages, or another application’s window. Warn before capture and avoid recording more than necessary. In an iframe, configure the appropriate Permissions Policy and test the actual embedding setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common errors and fixes
| Error | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
InvalidStateError |
No transient user activation, an inactive or unfocused context, or a reused CaptureController. |
Call directly from a user event, focus the page, and create a fresh controller. |
NotAllowedError |
The user denied capture or the context is not permitted. | Use HTTPS, check iframe policy, and ask the user to choose Allow. |
NotFoundError |
No screen-video source is available. | Check operating-system permissions and available surfaces. |
NotReadableError |
An operating-system or hardware failure occurred after selection. | Close conflicting capture software and retry. |
OverconstrainedError |
Requested constraints cannot be applied to the selected source. | Remove restrictive values and inspect the track’s capabilities. |
TypeError |
Invalid options, such as video: false or unsupported min/exact constraints. |
Keep video enabled and use compatible hint/constraint values. |
These names are diagnostic guidance, not an exhaustive list of browser-specific failures. Log error.name and test the target browser rather than showing a generic message for every failure.
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Why this is not a full-document screenshot API
A stream has frame dimensions and changes over time; it does not contain the page’s off-screen layout as one image. Scrolling the selected tab and grabbing frames would be an application-level process with problems such as sticky headers, lazy-loaded images, changing content, and duplicate or missing regions. The API documentation cited here does not define a built-in full-page stitching operation.
If your requirement is a single PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF of the complete page, use a service or browser automation workflow designed to render the document, wait for content, and capture beyond the viewport.
Or skip the browser setup
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cURL:
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import requests
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open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
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Practical checklist
- Decide whether you need a live surface stream or one complete document image.
- Serve the page from a secure context and call the API directly from a user action.
- Keep
video: true; request audio only when needed. - Explain what the user might expose and provide a clear stop control.
- Inspect returned tracks instead of assuming audio or a particular resolution.
- Stop all tracks when capture ends and handle the browser’s
endedevent. - Test browser, operating-system, iframe, and audio behavior for your supported targets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does getDisplayMedia require the user to choose a source every time?
Yes. The browser presents its source picker and consent flow for each capture request; a site cannot silently reuse a prior approval to select a surface.
Can I capture only one element with getDisplayMedia?
The API selects display surfaces, not DOM elements. Element-level output requires a separate rendering or screenshot technique.
Is audio guaranteed when I set audio to true?
No. Audio availability depends on the browser, operating system, and selected surface. Check the returned stream’s audio tracks.
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