Built-in screen recording on Chromebook

Chromebooks have a built-in screen recorder that does not require you to read or install anything. You access it through the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + F5, which opens a menu where you choose to record your entire screen, a window, or a specific region. Once you start recording, a timer appears on your screen so you know how long you have been recording. When you stop, the video saves automatically to your Downloads folder as an MP4 file.

The built-in recorder works for most tasks: capturing presentations, recording tutorials, documenting bugs, or saving video calls. It records both your screen and your computer audio at the same time. The file size depends on how long you record and what is on your screen, but a 10-minute recording typically takes up 50 to 100 megabytes of storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + F5 to open the screen recorder menu, then choose whether to record your whole screen, one window, or a selected area.
  • Your recording saves automatically as an MP4 file in your Downloads folder once you stop recording.
  • The built-in recorder captures both video and audio from your Chromebook at the same time.
  • If you need more advanced features like editing, watermarks, or pausing mid-recording, you can use web-based tools like Screencastify or Loom instead.

Step-by-step: recording your screen

Open the app or window you want to record. Press Ctrl + Shift + F5 on your keyboard. A small menu will appear in the bottom right corner with three options: a full-screen icon, a window icon, and a region icon. Click the option that matches what you want to record.

If you choose full screen, the entire display records. If you choose window, click the specific window you want to capture. If you choose region, drag to draw a box around the area you want to record. Once you have made your choice, a red circle with a dot appears on your screen, and recording begins when ready. A timer shows how many seconds have passed.

To stop recording, click the red circle or press Ctrl + Shift + F5 again. The video saves to your Downloads folder. You can then open your file manager, navigate to Downloads, and play the file in any video player or upload it where you need it.

Recording audio with your screen

The built-in recorder captures your computer's audio automatically — you do not need to turn anything on. This means if you are recording a video call, a presentation with sound, or a game with audio, all of it records together with the video. The audio quality matches your Chromebook's speaker output.

If you want to add your own voice while recording, use your Chromebook's microphone. Speak normally during the recording, and your voice will be captured along with everything else on your screen. Make sure your microphone is not muted before you start.

Where your recordings save and how to find them

Every recording saves automatically to your Downloads folder as an MP4 file. The file name includes the date and time you recorded, so if you record multiple times in one day, each file has a different name. To find your recording, open your file manager, click Downloads on the left side, and look for the most recent MP4 file.

You can rename the file, move it to another folder, or delete it from here. If you want to keep recordings organized, create a new folder in your Downloads or Documents folder and move your videos there. You can also right-click a file and choose to open it with a specific app, upload it to Google Drive, or share it directly.

Using Chrome extensions for more recording options

If the built-in recorder does not have the features you need, you can add a Chrome extension. Screencastify and Loom are two popular options that let you pause and resume recording, add a webcam view in the corner, edit your video after recording, or add a watermark with your name or logo. Both are free to use with limits on video length, or you can pay for unlimited recording.

To add an extension, open the Chrome Web Store, search for the extension name, and click Add to Chrome. Once installed, you will see a new icon in your toolbar. Click it to start recording with that tool instead of the built-in recorder. Extensions give you more control over how your video looks and what happens after you record, but they take up a small amount of storage and may slow your Chromebook slightly if you have many extensions running.

Troubleshooting common recording problems

If Ctrl + Shift + F5 does not open the recorder, your Chromebook may be using a different keyboard layout or an older version of Chrome. Try updating your Chromebook first: click the time in the bottom right, click Settings, then click About Chrome OS. If an update is available, it will install automatically. After restarting, try the keyboard shortcut again.

If your recording has no sound, check that your Chromebook's volume is not muted. Click the volume icon in the bottom right corner and make sure the slider is turned up. If you are recording a video call and the other person's audio is not captured, that is normal — most video call apps only record your side of the conversation for privacy reasons. If you need to record both sides, use a dedicated tool like Loom that has permission to access the full audio.

If your video file is very large or plays slowly, your Chromebook may not have enough storage space left. Open your file manager, click the storage indicator at the bottom, and delete files you no longer need. Videos take up more space than photos or documents, so clearing old recordings or moving them to Google Drive can free up room for new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record just one window instead of my whole screen?

Yes. Press Ctrl + Shift + F5, then click the window icon in the menu that appears. Click the specific window you want to record, and only that window will be captured. Everything else on your screen stays hidden from the recording.

What if I want to record a specific area of my screen?

Press Ctrl + Shift + F5 and click the region icon. A crosshair cursor appears. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to record. Only what is inside that rectangle will be captured.

Can I pause my recording and start again without creating a new file?

The built-in Chromebook recorder does not have a pause button — you either record or you do not. If you stop recording, it saves the file. To pause and resume without saving, use a Chrome extension like Screencastify or Loom, which have pause features built in.

Where do I find my recording after I finish?

Open your file manager and click Downloads. Your recording is there as an MP4 file with the date and time in its name. You can play it, rename it, move it to another folder, or upload it to Google Drive from there.

Can I record my screen while on a video call?

Yes, the built-in recorder will capture your screen during a video call. However, most video call apps only record your side of the conversation for privacy. If you need to record both sides, use Loom or another extension that has permission to access the full audio from the call.