diff --git a/docs/systems/voice.md b/docs/systems/voice.md
index 28b6d647..9ce73a87 100644
--- a/docs/systems/voice.md
+++ b/docs/systems/voice.md
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ ScreenShareConfig {
   fps: number,                     // 30-120
   mode: 'gaming' | 'text',         // Affects bitrate & content hint
   customBitrateKbps: number | null, // Admin override (if allowed)
-  shareAudio: boolean               // System audio (disabled in Electron)
+  shareAudio: boolean               // System audio loopback (see Platform Support below)
 }
 ```
 
@@ -234,6 +234,19 @@ ScreenShareConfig {
 - `allowCustomBitrate` toggle
 - `bitrateMatrixOverrides` (JSON sparse overrides)
 
+### System Audio Loopback (`shareAudio`)
+
+The "Share system audio" toggle in `ScreenSharePicker` adds an audio track to the screen-share publication. In the browser it maps to `getDisplayMedia({ audio: true })`. In Electron, the `setDisplayMediaRequestHandler` callback (`packages/desktop/src/main.ts`) returns `audio: 'loopback'` to opt into Chromium's system-audio loopback path.
+
+| Platform | Mechanism | Notes |
+|----------|-----------|-------|
+| Browser (Chrome/Edge) | `getDisplayMedia({ audio: true })` | Tab/window/system audio per the user's pick |
+| Electron / Windows | Chromium native loopback | Works out of the box |
+| Electron / macOS 13+ | CoreAudio Tap (Catap) | Requires `NSAudioCaptureUsageDescription` (set by `electron-builder.yml#mac.extendInfo`) |
+| Electron / Linux | PulseAudio loopback | **Requires** the `PulseaudioLoopbackForScreenShare` Chromium feature flag — enabled at startup in `main.ts` for Linux. Works on PulseAudio and on PipeWire systems with the `pipewire-pulse` compat layer. PipeWire-only systems without pulse compat will fail. |
+
+**Failure handling.** When loopback is not supported, Chromium rejects the entire `getDisplayMedia` request — the source-picker selection has already been consumed, so silently retrying without audio would re-prompt the picker. `startScreenShare` (`utils/screenShare.ts`) instead surfaces a warning toast directing the user to disable "Share system audio" if their system does not support loopback. We do **not** auto-mutate the user's `shareAudio` preference.
+
 ---
 
 ## Voice Fullscreen
diff --git a/packages/desktop/src/main.ts b/packages/desktop/src/main.ts
index f64be95a..a15de47c 100644
--- a/packages/desktop/src/main.ts
+++ b/packages/desktop/src/main.ts
@@ -739,6 +739,11 @@ function handleDeepLink(url: string): void {
 // libraries are loaded in the same process. Force GTK 3 for compatibility.
 if (process.platform === 'linux') {
   app.commandLine.appendSwitch('gtk-version', '3');
+  // Chromium ships PulseAudio loopback for screen-share behind a feature flag.
+  // Without it, returning `audio: 'loopback'` from setDisplayMediaRequestHandler
+  // fails the whole getDisplayMedia request — screen share never starts when the
+  // user has "Share system audio" enabled.
+  app.commandLine.appendSwitch('enable-features', 'PulseaudioLoopbackForScreenShare');
 }
 
 // Set as default protocol handler
@@ -896,8 +901,15 @@ if (!gotTheLock) {
           return;
         }
 
-        // Provide the selected source — Electron creates the MediaStream
-        // System audio loopback: Windows/Linux native, macOS 13+ via ScreenCaptureKit
+        // Provide the selected source — Electron creates the MediaStream.
+        // System audio loopback support varies:
+        //   - Windows: native (Chromium default).
+        //   - macOS 13+: CoreAudio Tap; requires NSAudioCaptureUsageDescription
+        //     in Info.plist (electron-builder injects it via mac.extendInfo).
+        //   - Linux: PulseAudio loopback, gated behind the
+        //     `PulseaudioLoopbackForScreenShare` feature flag we enable above.
+        //     Fails on PipeWire-only systems without pulse compat — the
+        //     renderer catches that and toasts the user.
         callback({ video: selected, ...(shareAudio ? { audio: 'loopback' } : {}) });
       } catch (err) {
         console.error('[Main:ScreenShare] Handler error:', err);
diff --git a/packages/web/src/utils/screenShare.ts b/packages/web/src/utils/screenShare.ts
index 78934ee6..0915637a 100644
--- a/packages/web/src/utils/screenShare.ts
+++ b/packages/web/src/utils/screenShare.ts
@@ -306,6 +306,16 @@ export async function startScreenShare(room: Room): Promise<boolean> {
   } catch (err) {
     console.error('[ScreenShare] Failed to start screen share:', err);
     if (hwOverdrive) deactivateHwOverdrive();
+    // Loopback unsupported (Linux without pulse, macOS without Catap) makes
+    // the whole getDisplayMedia call reject. No auto-retry: the picker
+    // selection was consumed, retrying would re-prompt it.
+    if (config.shareAudio && err instanceof Error && err.name !== 'NotAllowedError') {
+      useUIStore.getState().addToast(
+        'Could not start stream with system audio. Disable "Share system audio" in the picker if your system does not support it.',
+        'warning',
+        8000,
+      );
+    }
     return false;
   }
 }