Microphone remains active after recording ends and app minimizes to tray (Windows 11)

[sarvarbek2603]

Description

I have encountered a privacy and resource usage issue on Windows 11. After I finish recording a video, export it, and close the main application window (which minimizes Cap to the system tray), the application continues to access the microphone.

I expect the application to release the microphone resource immediately after the recording session is finished. It should not access the audio input when running idly in the system tray. The Windows privacy indicator shows that Cap is still using the microphone until I fully quit the application from the tray.

Reproduction

1. Open Cap on Windows 11.
2. Start a screen recording (ensure the microphone is enabled).
3. Stop the recording and complete the export process.
4. Close the main Cap window (the app minimizes to the system tray).
5. Check the Windows system tray microphone icon or Privacy settings.
6. Observe that the microphone is still listed as "In use" by Cap.

Additional Context

• Cap version: - 0.4.5
• OS version: Windows 11
• Device (optional): Laptop

[linear]

CAP-633

[tembo]

Thanks for the detailed report. I found the relevant code paths that explain this behavior.

When recording stops, the cleanup logic in apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/recording.rs:1523-1534 only calls mic_feed.ask(microphone::RemoveInput) if the Main window does not exist. If the Main window is present, it simply unminimizes it without releasing the microphone:

if let Some(window) = CapWindowId::Main.get(&handle) {
    window.unminimize().ok();
} else {
    // Microphone only released in this branch
    let _ = app.mic_feed.ask(microphone::RemoveInput).await;
    ...
}

The microphone release logic in apps/desktop/src-tauri/src/lib.rs:3414-3419 is tied to the WindowEvent::Destroyed event for the Main window, not minimization or close-to-tray:

if !app_state.is_recording_active_or_pending()
    && !camera_window_open
    && !app_state.camera_in_use
{
    let _ = app_state.mic_feed.ask(microphone::RemoveInput).await;
    ...
}

This means minimizing to tray (which hides but doesn't destroy the window) leaves the microphone stream active.

The microphone feed actor in crates/recording/src/feeds/microphone.rs uses cpal for audio input and maintains an active stream until RemoveInput is explicitly called, which signals the audio thread to stop via a sync channel.

The fix would likely involve calling RemoveInput after recording ends regardless of window state, or adding a handler for the minimize/hide-to-tray event on Windows.

[richiemcilroy]

Hey! Technically the main window is still open I believe and the mic is still selected, but I'll try clean this up in the next release

[FelipeGlauber]

Hey! Technically the main window is still open I believe and the mic is still selected, but I'll try clean this up in the next release

Nice tip. Now, when I end my screen capture, to avoid the mic still capturing, I open the main window (right-clicking the tray icon) and turn off the mic.

It can help others. Thanks

[richiemcilroy]

Hey @FelipeGlauber, does this still happen in version 0.4.71? Added in some helpers that should make sure the webcam/mic is no longer active after closing the main window - cheers!

[FelipeGlauber]

Still happening in 0.4.71 @richiemcilroy

[richiemcilroy]

Is this on Windows @FelipeGlauber?

[FelipeGlauber]

Yes

[richiemcilroy]

Ok perfect - thank you! Will get this fixed in the next release.