L Loom

How to choose recording modes and settings on Loom

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Choose your recording mode by clicking the Loom icon and selecting from Screen + Camera, Screen Only, or Camera Only. Adjust quality, microphone, and camera settings before starting your recording.

Try Loom Full Loom Review

Prerequisites

  • A Loom account (free or paid)
  • Loom desktop app or browser extension installed
  • Basic familiarity with screen recording concepts
  • Camera and microphone permissions granted

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Open Loom and access recording options

Click the Loom desktop app icon or browser extension to open the recording interface. You'll see the main recording panel with different mode options displayed prominently at the top.
Use the keyboard shortcut Alt+Shift+L (Windows) or Option+Shift+L (Mac) to quickly open Loom.
2

Select your recording mode

Choose from three recording modes:

  • Screen + Camera - Records your screen with a webcam bubble overlay
  • Screen Only - Records just your screen without camera
  • Camera Only - Records only your webcam for talking head videos

Click on your preferred mode to select it.
Screen + Camera mode is ideal for tutorials and presentations where viewers benefit from seeing your face.
3

Choose your screen recording area

If using Screen + Camera or Screen Only modes, select what to record:

  • Full Screen - Captures your entire desktop
  • Current Tab - Records only the active browser tab
  • Desktop App - Records a specific application window

Click the dropdown arrow next to the screen option to see all available choices.
Current Tab mode provides cleaner recordings and better performance for web-based content.
4

Configure camera settings

Click the camera dropdown to select your preferred webcam if you have multiple cameras. Choose the camera position (bottom-right, bottom-left, top-right, or top-left) where your webcam bubble will appear during screen recordings.
Position your camera bubble away from important UI elements you'll be demonstrating.
5

Adjust microphone and audio settings

Click the microphone dropdown to select your audio input device. Test your microphone levels by speaking - you should see the audio meter respond. Enable Computer Audio if you need to capture system sounds, music, or application audio.
Use a dedicated microphone or headset for better audio quality than your computer's built-in microphone.
6

Set video quality and advanced options

Click the Settings gear icon to access advanced options. Choose video quality from Standard (720p), HD (1080p), or 4K based on your needs and internet connection. Enable or disable Click Highlighting to show mouse clicks during recording.
Higher quality settings create larger file sizes and require more processing power - choose based on your content needs.
7

Review and start recording

Double-check all your selected settings in the recording panel. Ensure your chosen mode, camera position, microphone, and quality settings are correct. Click the red Start Recording button when ready. For screen recordings, you'll have 3 seconds to navigate to your desired starting point.
Take a moment to close unnecessary applications and browser tabs to reduce distractions in your recording.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Camera not showing up in options

Check that your camera drivers are installed and working. Go to your system settings to verify camera permissions are granted to Loom. Try restarting the Loom application.

Poor video quality even with high settings

Check your internet connection speed and computer performance. Close other resource-intensive applications. Consider recording in Standard quality if your system struggles with higher settings.

No audio being captured

Verify microphone permissions in your system settings. Check that the correct audio input device is selected in Loom's microphone dropdown. Test your microphone in other applications to confirm it's working.

Screen recording shows black screen

Some applications block screen recording for security. Try recording a different application or browser tab first. On Mac, check System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Screen Recording and ensure Loom has permission.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Loom website before purchasing.
Visit Loom View Loom Pricing