Hi,

It sounds like CapCut Desktop is registering your mic during the preview and countdown, but fails to actually record any audio once the voiceover starts. Since it works online, we know your mic and system are fine. Let us troubleshoot the desktop app-specific issue with some steps, hopefully starting with a simple fix:

Quick fixes to try first:

• Run CapCut as Administrator
  • Right-click the CapCut shortcut > Run as administrator
  • Sometimes the app doesn’t get full mic permissions unless run with elevated privileges.
• Double-Check Your Microphone Selection:

• • When you click the "Voiceover" button, make absolutely sure the correct microphone is selected in the dropdown menu. Sometimes the system might default to a different input.
  • Even though it shows a signal, it might be receiving from the wrong source.
  • In CapCut Desktop:
    • Go to Settings (gear icon top right)
    • Find the Audio Input option
    • Make sure your mic is selected (not “Default” – explicitly pick your device)

• Double-check Mic Permissions
  
  • For Windows: Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone. Make sure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is turned on, and that CapCut is listed and allowed to access it.
  • For macOS: Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. Ensure that CapCut is checked in the list of apps allowed to access your microphone.
• Background apps interfering:
  • Close any other applications that might be using your microphone, such as video conferencing software, other recording apps, etc. These could be preventing CapCut from properly accessing the mic.
• Try a Different USB Port (if using a USB microphone):
  • If you're using a USB microphone, try unplugging it and plugging it into a different USB port on your computer.

Try this sequence to reset CapCut’s audio system:

1. Close CapCut completely.
2. Disconnect and reconnect your microphone.
3. Open CapCut again and run as admin.
4. Load your project.
5. Hit the Voiceover button, and check the waveform once recording starts.

Advanced: Check audio drivers & conflicts

• Update your audio driver
  • Especially important if you're using an external mic/interface.
• Although it works online, it's worth quickly checking your microphone drivers on your desktop.
  • For Windows: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand the "Audio inputs and outputs" section, right-click on your microphone, and select "Update driver". You can choose to search automatically for updated drivers.
  • For macOS: macOS usually handles drivers automatically, but you can check for system updates in System Settings > General > Software Update.
• Disable audio enhancements (Windows)
  • Right-click your sound icon > Sounds > Recording tab > Select mic > Properties > Advanced
  • Uncheck "Enable audio enhancements"
• Try disabling other apps that may be using the mic in the background (e.g., Zoom, Discord, OBS)

Test where the VO file is being saved

• Sometimes CapCut does record but fails to attach the clip to the timeline:
• Check your project media bin after recording — see if there’s a new unnamed audio file there.
• Also try recording a VO, then immediately look in:
  • C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\CapCut\User Data\Projects\[project folder] or similar
  • See if any .wav or .mp3 files are being generated.

Final tip before you head offline

• Since you're going somewhere with bad signal, make sure:
  • Your CapCut Pro license is verified and cached offline before you go.
  • Test VO again after disconnecting Wi-Fi to see if the problem is cloud-related.

If none of this solves it, let us know what OS you are on (Windows/Mac), what mic you are using (USB/XLR with interface/etc.), and we will help you go deeper.