Skip to content
PixelRecorder

Common Issues

Quick solutions to the most frequently encountered issues.

Recording Won’t Start

Symptoms

  • Start button doesn’t respond
  • Error message appears
  • Recording stops immediately

Solutions

  1. Check permissions

    • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security
    • Verify Screen Recording permission is granted
    • Restart PixelRecorder after granting

  2. Verify storage space

    • Ensure sufficient disk space
    • At least 1 GB free recommended

  3. Check output folder

    • Verify output folder exists
    • Ensure you have write permission

  4. Restart the app

    • Quit PixelRecorder completely
    • Reopen and try again

No Video in Recording

Symptoms

  • Recording creates empty file
  • Black video output
  • Missing screen content

Solutions

  1. Grant Screen Recording permission

    • System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording
    • Toggle PixelRecorder off and on
    • Restart PixelRecorder

  2. Select correct source

    • Verify display is selected in stream settings
    • Try selecting a different display

  3. Check for protected content

    • Some apps block screen recording
    • DRM-protected content won’t capture

No Audio in Recording

Symptoms

  • Video records but no audio
  • Audio track is silent
  • Audio source shows “None”

Solutions

  1. Grant Microphone permission

    • System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone
    • Enable PixelRecorder
    • Restart the app

  2. Select audio source

    • Open stream settings
    • Choose microphone or system audio
    • Test audio levels before recording

  3. Check system audio

    • Verify audio is playing
    • Check system volume isn’t muted

See Audio Issues for more details.

Poor Performance

Symptoms

  • Choppy preview
  • Dropped frames
  • High CPU usage

Solutions

  1. Lower resolution

    • Use 1080p instead of 4K
    • Native resolution may be too high

  2. Reduce frame rate

    • Try 30 fps instead of 60 fps
    • Match your actual needs

  3. Close other apps

    • Free up CPU and RAM
    • Close resource-heavy applications

  4. Use HEVC codec

    • Hardware accelerated on Apple Silicon
    • Lower CPU usage than H.264

See Performance Issues for more details.

Files Not Syncing in NLE

Symptoms

  • Timecode doesn’t match
  • Clips are out of sync
  • NLE doesn’t recognize timecode

Solutions

  1. Verify timecode is enabled

    • Check Settings > Timecode
    • Ensure “Embed Timecode” is on

  2. Use same frame rate

    • All streams must match
    • Match your NLE project settings

  3. Check NLE import settings

    • Enable “Read embedded timecode”
    • See NLE-specific guides

See Sync Issues for more details.

App Crashes

Symptoms

  • App quits unexpectedly
  • Crash report appears
  • Beach ball followed by quit

Solutions

  1. Update PixelRecorder

    • Install latest version
    • Check for updates in app

  2. Reset preferences

    • Quit PixelRecorder
    • Delete ~/Library/Preferences/com.pixelrecorder.plist
    • Restart app

  3. Check system requirements

    • Requires macOS 15+
    • Requires Apple Silicon

  4. Contact support

    • If issue persists
    • Include crash report

Still Having Issues?

If your problem isn’t listed here:

  1. Check specific troubleshooting pages:

  2. Check the FAQ for more answers

  3. Contact support with:

    • macOS version
    • Mac model
    • PixelRecorder version
    • Steps to reproduce the issue