Home Cheat Guides How to Record the ESP

How to Record the ESP

Last updated on Oct 14, 2026

By default, GPU recording software only captures the active game window, which leaves out the cheat overlay. Turning on Desktop Capture lets your recordings include the ESP and every other on-screen visual.

Note: Pick the section below that matches your GPU brand. The steps differ between NVIDIA and AMD.

NVIDIA GPUs

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, use the NVIDIA App with desktop capture enabled.

  1. Install the NVIDIA App

    Download and install the latest NVIDIA App from the official site: nvidia.com/en-eu/software/nvidia-app

  2. Enable the NVIDIA Overlay

    • Open the NVIDIA App.
    • Go to the Settings page.
    • Set NVIDIA overlay to ON.

  3. Open the overlay

    Press the default hotkey Alt + Z to open the NVIDIA Overlay.

    If the hotkey does nothing, check that the overlay is enabled in the NVIDIA App settings, then restart the app.

  4. Open the overlay settings

    Click the settings (gear) icon at the top of the overlay.

  5. Enable Desktop Capture

    • Open the option labeled Video Capture.
    • Turn on Desktop Capture.

    This makes the recorder capture the entire desktop instead of only the game window, which is what lets the overlay show up in playback.

  6. Done

    Adjust the rest of your recording settings as you like. The ESP and all other visuals now show up in your recordings.

AMD GPUs

If you have an AMD graphics card, use the AMD Adrenalin software to enable desktop recording.

  1. Install AMD Adrenalin

    Download and install the latest AMD Adrenalin from the official site: amd.com/en/products/software/adrenalin.html

  2. Open the Record & Stream page

    • Launch AMD Adrenalin.
    • Click Record & Stream at the top of the window.
    • Open the Settings page of that section.

  3. Enable Record Desktop

    Set Record Desktop to ON.

    This is the key setting: without it, the overlay does not appear in your recordings.

  4. Switch the capture source

    • Click the Record tab.
    • Find the Controls section.
    • Change the source from Active Window to the display your game runs on.

  5. Done

    Set the rest of your recording preferences (bitrate, resolution, hotkeys) as you like. The ESP and all other visuals now appear in your recordings.

Troubleshooting

Recordings still don't show the ESP

  • Make sure Desktop Capture (NVIDIA) or Record Desktop (AMD) is enabled, not just the regular game capture.
  • On a multi-monitor setup, check that the correct monitor is selected as the capture source.
  • Restart the GPU software after changing the setting.

The overlay or hotkey doesn't open (NVIDIA)

  • Reopen the NVIDIA App and check that NVIDIA overlay is ON.
  • Make sure no other application uses Alt + Z.
  • Update the NVIDIA App to the latest version.

No Record Desktop option (AMD)

  • Update AMD Adrenalin to the latest version.
  • Old Radeon Software versions do not include this feature: install Adrenalin instead.

Performance drops while recording

  • Lower your recording bitrate or resolution.
  • Close background applications you don't need.