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To record video with Streamlabs Desktop, choose a save location in Settings > Output, set up the scene and audio you want to capture, then select the red Record button at the bottom-right of the editor. Select it again to stop; Streamlabs says a notice confirms the recording was saved.
Choose where Streamlabs saves the recording
- Open Settings and select Output.
- In the Recording section, check or change the save path. Choose a folder your account can write to and that has enough free space.
- Check the filename behavior, recording quality, and format options in the same section as needed. Names and available options can vary with the software version. Streamlabs’ getting-started guide describes the recording path and control.
Set up the scene and audio
Before recording, confirm that the editor contains the sources you want in the video—for example, a screen or game capture—and that they are visible in the preview. Check the audio mixer as well. If you want voice narration, make sure the intended microphone is selected and that its meter responds when you speak. A microphone is optional; recording does not require buying a separate one.
Streamlabs describes selecting a different microphone through its audio settings when needed. Its setup guidance covers microphone input selection.
Start and stop recording
- In the main editor window, select the red Record button at the bottom right to begin capturing the configured scene.
- When you are done, select Record again to stop.
- Look for Streamlabs’ confirmation notice. Its setup guide says the notice confirms the recording was saved and may offer options to view more information or open it in another Streamlabs application.
- Open the folder specified by the recording path and play the file to check that the video and audio are present.
The record button toggles local recording; it is separate from starting a livestream. The save-path and stop-notice details are in Streamlabs’ official setup guide.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Choose quality settings for your computer
Resolution, frame rate, and encoder affect both the resulting file and the load on your computer. Streamlabs’ recommendations are starting points, not guarantees for every system.
- Resolution: Streamlabs recommends matching the base canvas to the monitor for gameplay and choosing a high output resolution. If the computer struggles, lower the output resolution.
- Frame rate: Its guide suggests 60 FPS for action-heavy gameplay and says 30 FPS may be sufficient for more static content. Use the highest setting your computer can sustain smoothly.
- Encoder: Streamlabs describes x264 as CPU-based and NVENC as GPU-based, and recommends NVENC for users with an NVIDIA graphics card. The best available choice depends on your hardware and performance while recording.
- Quality control: Streamlabs recommends CQP for the recording workflow it describes, or CRF when using x264. Adjust quality if performance suffers, and monitor the recording rather than assuming a setting works well on every computer.
For current setting context, see Streamlabs’ recording recommendations.
Rank #2
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Record separate microphone and desktop audio tracks
Separate tracks are useful when you want to adjust narration and desktop sound independently during editing. Streamlabs documents recording up to six audio tracks; the available setup and labels may depend on the version.
- Go to Settings > Output and change the output mode from Simple to Advanced.
- Open the Recording options and choose the number of audio tracks you need.
- Open the advanced audio mixer and assign each audio source to the intended track.
- Choose MP4 or MKV for the recording. Streamlabs says its default FLV format does not support multiple audio tracks.
- If you are recording and streaming at the same time, verify that the audio track sent to the stream includes everything live viewers should hear. Streamlabs says one audio track is sent on a stream.
These multitrack details come from Streamlabs’ recording functionality guide.
Rank #3
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Fix a recording that does not appear
If the recording confirmation appears but you cannot find a file, first check the selected folder and the available disk space. Streamlabs’ troubleshooting article recommends these checks and offers additional steps if recording produces an error.
- Check the configured path: Return to Settings > Output and confirm the Recording path. Look in that folder, not just the default Videos folder.
- Check storage and permissions: Make sure the drive has free space and your user account can write to the selected folder. If necessary, try another permitted location.
- If an error appears: Streamlabs suggests checking the graphics driver and installing or reinstalling Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2017.
- If recording while streaming fails: Streamlabs suggests trying a recording encoder different from the stream encoder; its guide also mentions Same as Stream quality as a possible setting.
- If no file appears and there is no error: Streamlabs’ article suggests reinstalling current graphics drivers.
These are vendor troubleshooting suggestions, not guaranteed fixes. Consult Streamlabs’ recording-issues guidance for its full context.
Rank #4
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Or let it run in the cloud
For a local recording, Streamlabs Desktop saves a file on your computer. If your separate goal is keeping a YouTube channel live around the clock using uploaded videos, StreamNeo runs that stream from the cloud: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. No computer or home connection has to stay on. It streams the uploaded video—not a camera feed—and only to YouTube.
- Each slot streams your uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers.
- It loops videos and playlists and automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Plans are available by day, week, month, six months, or year, and can be canceled any time.
The monthly option is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo for details, or start your free day.
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Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
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