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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSteam Game Recording can capture gameplay in the background so you can save an unexpected moment, or record only when you start a session. Set it up under Steam > Settings > Game Recording, choose a mode and storage limit, then turn a section of footage into a clip to keep or share. Here’s how to choose the right settings, find moments on the timeline, export clips, and handle common recording problems.
How do I turn it on?
Open Steam > Settings > Game Recording. If you’re already playing, open the Steam Overlay and select its Game Recording tab. Choose one of three modes:
- Off / Don’t record: Steam does not record gameplay.
- Record in Background: Steam continuously captures gameplay into temporary storage. When the configured space is full, older footage is overwritten.
- Record on Demand: Steam records only when you turn recording on.
Background recording suits players who want to preserve moments they could not anticipate. On-demand recording gives you more control over when capture happens. In either mode, save important footage as a clip before temporary background material rolls off.
How do I customize my settings?
On the Game Recording settings page, choose a storage location and maximum disk-space allowance, configure audio capture, and review or change shortcut keys. Check your available disk space before leaving background recording enabled, and set an allowance that leaves room for other files and games.
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Choose where footage is stored
You can change the recording folder to a drive with more free space. If Steam warns that space is low, free up room, move the folder to another drive, or reduce recording length or quality. An external SSD can be used as a storage destination, but Steam does not require one.
Choose what audio to capture
Steam records gameplay audio and lets you include audio from other programs, such as voice chat. Review the audio options so the recording includes the sources you want—and not ones you don’t.
What will Steam record?
Game Recording captures gameplay through the Steam client; it does not record your desktop or other programs’ video. It works with games that support the Steam Overlay, although Steam notes that some older games may not work.
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Recording does not depend on a game providing event markers. Steam Timeline can show game-specific events when a developer has implemented support for them; availability varies by game. Steamworks Documentation explains Steam Timelines.
How do I drop a marker and find a moment?
Steam’s default shortcut for dropping a marker is Ctrl+F12, but shortcut keys can be customized. Check your own binding in Game Recording settings. You can also add a marker from the timeline in the in-game Overlay.
Open the Overlay timeline to review recording progress and available events. Move or hover the playhead to inspect footage around the moment you want. A marker can make a memorable event easier to locate later; game-provided event markers appear only when supported by that game.
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How do I make a clip?
- Open the Steam Overlay while playing and go to the Game Recording timeline.
- Select Clip to place a suggested range on the timeline.
- Adjust the start and end points, or use the Start and End Clip controls to define the section.
- Choose a save or sharing option for the finished clip.
Creating a clip preserves the selected footage in Recordings & Screenshots, rather than leaving it only in temporary background recording that can be overwritten.
How do I share or save a clip?
Steam recording and timeline data use a raw format. If another editor or platform needs a normal video file, create a clip and choose Export Video File to produce an MP4. Steam also lists options to save a clip within Steam, copy it to the clipboard, send it to another signed-in device, or create a temporary Steam sharing link that expires after two days. Available options and labels can vary by device and current interface.
On desktop, find recordings at View > Recordings & Screenshots. On Steam Deck, open the Steam menu and use the Media tab.
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Will Game Recording affect performance or gameplay?
Steam Support says, “Steam Game Recording has been designed with the goal of taking as little computer resources away from the game you are playing as possible.” Steam also says NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards handle most recording work; systems without those cards use CPU encoding, which may cause a noticeable performance impact. Steam does not provide a performance figure for an individual PC, so the effect depends on your system and settings.
What if I see a “Low disk space” warning?
Steam may stop recording when storage space runs low. Free disk space, change the recording folder to a drive with more room, or reduce the background recording duration or quality in Game Recording settings.
Why do I see “No Recording Available” on my timeline?
Steam lists several possible causes: the game may not yet have signaled that it is ready, the resolution may have changed, or older temporary footage may already have been overwritten. If you want to retain a moment, make and save a clip before the background buffer cycles past it.
For the documented setup, capture, sharing, and troubleshooting steps, see Steam Support’s Steam Game Recording FAQ. Steam also announced the feature on March 4, 2025.
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