Black Screen Problem: The recorded video file is black

The black screen problem may occur because of the codec, media player, video acceleration function (overlay output) or copy-protection program. If you are hearing sound but not seeing video when you play the recorded video, please try the solutions below.

1. It might be a problem with the video codec or your media player.

1) Please choose the "Xvid" or "H264 (CPU)" video codecview and try again.
2) Please try VLC media player and try again.
3) If you recorded a video with the "H264 (CPU)" codec in "Windows 8 (or 10)" and play the video through Windows Media Player in "Windows 7", you will have the black screen issue. Please use VLC media player or use another video codec instead of the "H264 (CPU)" codec.


2. Please try the 'Game Recording' mode instead of the 'Screen Recording' mode.

To record a game, please use the Game Recording mode of Bandicam.

Game and Screen Recording mode


3. Start Bandicam before the recording target.

Please use the latest version of Bandicam and start Bandicam before the recording target. While Bandicam is running, Bandicam shuts off the overlay output and streaming videos will not be played through the overlay output.

4. Try Firefox instead of Edge, IE or Chrome

If you have the black screen issue with a specific website/video such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Spectrum TV, it might be a problem with a copy-protection function of the web browser. Run Firefox and try to record the website/video again.

5. Change the "video acceleration function" setting (Windows XP only).

Click the right mouse button on the main screen of the computer, and click the 'Properties' option, then go through 'Display Properties > Settings > Advanced > Troubleshoot, and set to 'None' at the hardware acceleration menuview.

6. Reinstall the graphics card driver and DirectX.


7. If you still have problems, send your video file to bandicam@bandicam.com

You may send the video file through one of the storage services below:
  • Google Drive (15GB): https://drive.google.com
  • Onedrive (10GB): https://onedrive.live.com/
  • Send-anywhere.com (10GB): https://www.send-anywhere.com/


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