Windows audio capture (Chrome + Edge): record your mic + your telehealth audio
Ensuring reliable audio capture during telehealth sessions is crucial for maintaining accurate session notes and effective communication. Below are guidelines and steps to help you achieve consistent audio recording using PatientNotes on Windows.
Our Windows audio capture feature lets you record your microphone plus the audio playing from your screen (for example, the client’s voice coming from Zoom / Google Meet in your browser).
This feature works on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Before you start
Use your computer's built-in speakers when possible to simplify audio capture and reduce potential issues.
If using headphones, configure system audio capture (e.g., using a virtual audio cable) to ensure both microphone and meeting audio are recorded.
Use Chrome or Edge (Windows).
Your telehealth session should be open and ready (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.).
Plan a short test run first (recommended).
Step-by-step (In PatientNotes): enable Windows audio capture
1) Click Add Screen
In the Recording area, select Add Screen.
When enabled, you’ll see an on-screen indicator that screen capture is active.
You can choose Remove if you want to disable screen capture.
2) Start your session recording
When you start recording, Chrome/Edge will open the browser “Share your screen” window.
You’ll be asked to choose one of:
Chrome Tab
Window
Entire Screen
3) Crucial: turn on Share audio
In the share window, make sure the Share audio option is enabled (wording may appear as “Also share tab audio” or similar).
Important notes:
If you choose Chrome Tab, the audio toggle is often easier to spot and may appear pre-selected.
If you choose Window or Entire Screen, you typically must re-enable Share audio every time you start sharing.
4) Select the correct telehealth source
After you’ve enabled Share audio, choose the tab/window/screen that contains your telehealth call (Zoom / Google Meet / etc.), then click Share.
Tip: If your telehealth platform is running in the browser, select that specific tab (or the window showing the call). This reduces mistakes.
How to confirm it’s working
While recording, look for these indicators:
On-screen status message (most important)
You should see:
“Recording microphone + tab audio from screen.”
Audio meter activity
You should also see the audio meter moving when your client is talking.
If you don’t see the message above, or the meter isn’t moving, use the troubleshooting steps below.
Troubleshooting
You see: “Recording microphone only (no tab audio from screen).”
This means the browser is not sharing audio.
Fix:
Stop the recording.
Click Remove (if shown), then Add Screen again.
Start recording again.
In the Chrome/Edge share window:
Re-select your Tab/Window/Screen
Ensure Share audio is enabled
Confirm you now see: “Recording microphone + tab audio from screen.”
You see: “Screen capture access denied. Recording microphone only.”
This means the browser permission prompt was declined or blocked.
Fix:
Click Add Screen again.
When the browser share window appears, select a Tab/Window/Screen and click Share.
Make sure Share audio is enabled before sharing.
The audio meter isn’t moving when the client speaks
This usually means one of:
The wrong tab/window/screen was shared
Share audio wasn’t enabled
The telehealth audio is coming from a different source than expected
Fix:
Stop the recording.
Repeat the setup from Add Screen.
In the share picker, choose the exact tab/window/screen where you can hear the client.
Ensure Share audio is enabled.
Start recording and re-check for:
“Recording microphone + tab audio from screen.”
Audio meter movement
Recommended testing workflow
Before using in a real consult:
Start a Zoom/Meet test call (or play audio from the same tab/window).
Enable Add Screen and record for 10–15 seconds.
Confirm the status message and audio meter movement.
If anything looks off, repeat the steps until it’s consistent.