The ability to record audio from a computer has disappeared

Audacity 3 Help Forum
1

The ability to record audio from a computer has disappeared. Older versions had a mixer mode, and then I could record audio from programs on my computer. My current version doesn’t have this feature. Is there a way to fix this?

2

The ability to record audio from PC output is independent of the version of Audacity. This option (Stereo Mixer) must be enabled in the OS sound settings. Otherwise, no version of Audacity will be able to record audio from PC output (without installing additional drivers).

3

My operating system doesn’t have this option. This option should be in Audacity.

4

We don’t know which operating system you have or which version of Audacity you use.

5

So it was there days / weeks / months / years or centuries ago? What has been changed since then? Since we do not know what you are using and how, it would be nice if you told us a little bit more…

6

Audacity 3.3.3 Windows 11

7

I don’t remember exactly, but about 4 years ago I had the ability to mix sound in Audacity.

Audacity 3.3.3 Windows 11

8

In Windows 11, try a search for “stereo mix” and it should open the sound settings where you can enable Stereo Mix. …

Stereo Mix (also called What U Hear) lets you record exactly what is playing on your PC. It is often hidden by default and may need to be enabled in the legacy Sound settings.

  1. Right-click the sound icon on the taskbar and select Sound settings.

  2. Scroll down and click More sound settings to open the legacy Sound window.

  3. Go to the Recording tab in the Sound window.

  4. Right-click a blank area in the device list and enable Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.

  5. Locate Stereo Mix or What U Hear in the list.

  6. Right-click the device name and select Enable.

  7. Click Apply, then OK to save changes.

If Stereo Mix is Missing

  1. Open Device Manager via Windows key + X and select it.

  2. Expand Sound, video and game controllers.

  3. Right-click your audio device (e.g., Realtek Audio) and choose Uninstall device, checking Delete the driver software for this device.

  4. Reboot your PC.

  5. Install an older driver version that supports Stereo Mix from your manufacturer’s site.

  6. Reboot and check the Recording tab again for Stereo Mix.

9

Thank you, everything worked out.

All the best to everyone.

10

I have the same problem recording from app in Mac. Saw on YouTube how to do it on Windows, then said was harder on Mac. How hard? How to do? Audacity gives only micoption in references input. Using MacBook pro 2018. Little to choose from there in ‘Sound’ options

11

Please do not hijack other threads who have different hardware in use.

Please open a new discussion where you describe exactly what you are doing, what equipment is involced, how everything is connected, what operating system (version!), what version of Audacity, etc.

12

I’m having the same problem again. My settings are set to stereo mix, but it’s not recording. What could be wrong?

13

You wrote in an earlier post:

Thank you, everything worked out.

And now, you start the whole thing again? What did you change since it worked before?

14

I didn’t change anything.

15

The recording has started again now. Everything is fine. Someone is obviously hallucinating.