Office Settings & Configuration

How to Add Background Music to a PowerPoint Screen Recording

Muhammad Talha Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to include background music from an external source or file while recording a presentation.

How to Add Background Music to a PowerPoint Screen Recording

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Recording a presentation screen while trying to capture background music alongside microphone narration.
Observed behavior: PowerPoint's built-in recording feature fails to capture audio playing from external desktop applications like media players or browsers.

Before you start

Ensure your background music is downloaded as a compatible local audio file (such as MP3 or WAV) to avoid buffering issues or unexpected audio cutouts.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert the Audio File Directly into PowerPoint Slides

Embedding the music file into your presentation ensures that PowerPoint natively captures the audio when you use its built-in recording feature.

PowerPoint prioritizes its own embedded media and microphone input during a recording. By adding the audio file directly into the slides, you bypass the software's inability to record external application audio.

Insert the audio file

Open your presentation, navigate to the slide where you want the music to start, click the 'Insert' tab on the ribbon, select 'Audio', and choose 'Audio on My PC' to upload your track.

Configure background playback

Click the inserted audio icon. Under the 'Audio Tools Playback' tab, check the box for 'Play Across Slides' and set it to loop until stopped if necessary.

Record the presentation

Go to the 'Slide Show' or 'Recording' tab and click 'Record Slide Show'. Your presentation will now record your microphone narration alongside the embedded background music.

Insert the Audio File Directly into PowerPoint Slides

Volume Balancing: Before recording, remember to adjust the embedded audio volume to 'Low' in the Playback tab so it does not overpower your voice narration.

Solution 2

Use Windows Game Bar to Capture System Audio

If you prefer playing music from an external application like Spotify or a web browser, the built-in Windows screen recorder can capture both system sound and microphone input.

Solution 3

Use a Dedicated Screen Recording Application

Third-party screen recording software gives you precise control over multiple audio tracks, allowing you to capture system sound and voice simultaneously.

Record Presentations with Background Music easily

Record Presentations with Audio using WPS Presentation

WPS Office offers a powerful, built-in screen recorder and intuitive audio embedding tools, making it incredibly easy to record your presentations with background music. It is a highly compatible, free alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint.

1. Open your file in WPS Office: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing .pptx presentation file.
2. Insert background music: Go to the 'Insert' tab on the top menu, click 'Audio', select your background track from your computer, and set it to play in the background.
3. Access the Screen Recorder: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab and select 'Screen Recorder'. Configure it to capture both system audio and your microphone.
4. Start recording: Play your slideshow and click the Record button to capture a high-quality video of your presentation with perfectly synced audio.

Seamlessly embed and manage background audio tracks within your slides.Built-in Screen Recorder natively captures both system audio and microphone input.Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formats, ensuring your layouts remain perfectly intact.Lightweight, fast, and completely free to use for your daily office tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PowerPoint not record audio playing from other applications?

PowerPoint's native recording feature is designed specifically to capture your microphone narration and the media embedded within the slides themselves. This behavior intentionally prevents unexpected notification sounds from other desktop apps from ruining your presentation recording.

What audio file formats can I insert into my PowerPoint or WPS presentation?

Standard presentation software supports a wide range of audio formats, including MP3, WAV, M4A, and WMA. For the best compatibility across different devices and optimal file size, using an MP3 format is highly recommended.

How do I make the background music play across all slides?

After inserting the audio file onto your first slide, select the audio icon. Go to the 'Playback' or 'Audio Tools' tab on the top ribbon and check the box that says 'Play Across Slides' or select 'Play in Background'. This ensures the track won't stop when you transition to the next slide.

Can I adjust the volume of the background music so it does not drown out my voice?

Yes. Click on the inserted audio icon, navigate to the Playback settings tab, and look for the 'Volume' option. Set it to 'Low' or 'Medium' to ensure your voice narration remains clear over the background music.

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