How to Record Switch Gameplay on PC with Capture Card?

To record Switch gameplay on a PC, you need to mirror the game on the PC with a capture card. There are kinds of capture cards for Switch on the market. Each of them has its own characteristics and different properties for recording. In this article, we select an ordinary capture card to show you how to capture Switch gameplay on PC.

#1. Connect Switch to Your PC with Capture Card

Step 1. Plug an HDMI cable into the HDMI Out port on the Switch, and insert the other end of the cable into the HDMI In port of the capture card.

Step 2. Interface the Out end into the capture card and plug the In port into your PC.

Step 3. Insert your Nintendo Switch into the Nintendo Switch Dock. Then plug the capture card into your PC using a USB cable.

Then it will be automatically detected, and the pop-up will appear in the bottom right corner of your computer. Now, you can use a PC screen recorder to record your Switch games. Here, we recommend the simple yet practical game recording software – WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro.

#2. Record Switch Gameplay on PC

Wonderfox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is a functional screen recorder for Windows PCs. It allows you to record anything on your screen, including the mirroring Switch games, streaming TV shows and movies, video chat, online meetings, courses, and other activities. It will export the recordings as high-quality MP4, MKV, AVI, or MOV files. If you want other video formats, the in-built Converter can change the format without effort. Moreover, it can help you edit the recordings by cutting/trimming, cropping, merging, compressing, etc.

Please free downloadfree download and install the recording software. Let’s see how to record Nintendo Switch gameplay on PC below.

That is how to record Switch gameplay on PC with a capture card. In this way, you can record and export HD video files (1080P 60FPS). And the desktop screen recorder enables you to record gameplay without a time limit, while Nintendo only allows 30-second recording on the device. Furthermore, Switch only records the latest version of some games, while the screen recorder on PC can capture any game. Get the recommended software to record your Switch games on the PC hassle-free!

The above illustrates how to capture Nintendo Switch gameplay on PC with a capture card and PC screen recorder. Here are some of the frequently asked questions. Let’s check them out.

1. Can you record gameplay on Switch?

Yes, you can. At the end of 2017, Nintendo Switch incorporated the capacity to record 30-second interactive clips of specific game to share via web-based media. However, you can only record specific games with the built-in recording feature on the device. Or you can utilize an external capture card to record full gameplay on Nintendo Switch.
e.g. Elgato Game Capture HD60 S, which can record PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Wii U gameplay to a Windows PC via an HDMI pass-through.

2. How to record Nintendo Switch gameplay without capture card?

Step 1. Start your gameplay on Switch.
Step 2. Long-press the “capture button” on the left side of the Joy-Con. Afterward, it will record a video of 30 seconds.
Step 3. Check the recorded video in the Album. And you can share it to your social media.

3. How to record more than 30 seconds on Nintendo Switch?

To record Switch games for more than 30 seconds, external hardware is needed, that is, a capture card or a third-party screen recorder.
Recommendation: WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro, which can record any gameplay on a Windows PC or laptop with no time limit, watermark, or frame drop.

4. How to transfer videos from Nintendo Switch to computer/phone?

Preparation: a microSD card that can contain the videos you’ve recorded on Switch;
an SD card reader that can read and transfer videos to your PC or phone.

Step 1. Go to the Switch home screen and click the white gear button to open the “System Settings” menu.

Step 2. Navigate to the “Data Management” tab, select “Manage Screenshots and Videos”, and press the button “A”.

Step 3. Choose “Copy All Screenshots and Videos to microSD Card”.

Step 4. Go to Album and highlight the screenshots & videos. Press “A” for “Editing and Posting”. Then tap the “Copy” option to copy the contents to the SD card. After that, you can transfer the recorded videos to your PC or phone through the SD card.

That is all I want to share about how to record Switch gameplay on PC. I hope I’ve made things clear and this article could be helpful to you. If you encounter any problem using the desktop screen recorder, you’re welcome to contact us for solutions. Thanks for reading till the end! Wish you every success!