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Having Problems With Your Zoom Webcam? Troubleshooting Guide

Having a functioning Webcam is crucial for being able to use Zoom effectively. Use this guide to troubleshoot any problems you may be experiencing.

Updated September 2, 2020

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  • 1

    First, use the tool to your right to verify If your webcam Is functioning in general.

  • 2

    If it is functioning in general but still not in Zoom, see below for the most common solutions to this problem.

  • 3

    Good luck and happy Zooming!

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Option 1: General Webcam Troubleshooting

Often the issue is not with Zoom, but with the webcam itself. Assess your webcam's functionality by trying these 3 common solutions.

Solution 1: Quit the "Zoom" Application and restart your computer.

Solution 2: Make sure that your webcam cable is connected to the computer with a secure connection, and that there are no hardware malfunctions.

Solution 3: Update your webcam's software driver, which may be out of date.

*If none of these general fixes work, then see below for more specific solutions.*

Option 2: Zoom Settings and Video Mute (All Operating Systems)

It helps to get familiar with Zoom's interface, which has a button that can mute the Webcam.

Step 1: Make sure the Webcam video button is not off. If it has a Red Line through it it is muted.

Step 2: Zoom allows you to choose which Webcam and Mic you want to use. If the wrong one or an old one is selected, it will not function. Make sure the webcam you know functions is the one selected in Zoom.

Option 3: Close All Other Possible Apps Using Webcam (All Operating Systems)

If you have other applications open on your computer that may be using the webcam, it can interfere or block the webcam while trying to use it in Zoom.

Step 1: Look at your browser and close any pages that could possibly be using the webcam such as Facebook, Skype, etc.

Step 2: Close any Desktop apps such as Slack, Skype, Facetime, PhotoBooth, etc that could be using the webcam.

Step 3: Close and re-open Zoom, and see if this has fixed the problem.

Option 4: Delete and Re-install Zoom App (Pc and Mac)

Follow the steps below for instructions on how to delete and re-install Zoom on both Mac and PC operating systems. Doing this often resets default settings and restores webcam functionality for your Zoom meetings.

Mac Step 1: Go to "Finder", and search for "Zoom."

Mac Step 2: Once you find it, right click on the app and hit "Move to Trash." This will un-install the application.

Windows Step 1: Go to "Start",-->"All Apps".

Windows Step 2: Find the "Zoom" app. Right click on the App and hit "Uninstall."

Mac and Windows: Next, simply go to Zoom's Download page, and re-download the App. Once you sign in, verify if your webcam is working properly in the app. If not, move down to the next possible solution.

Option 5: Examine Privacy Settings (Mac and PC)

Look to see if your Privacy Settings are set to block Zoom from using the webcam. If so, unblock it so Zoom has permission to use the webcam.

Mac Step 1: Go to "System Preferences"--> "Privacy and Security".

Mac Step 2: Click on "Camera". Find the "Zoom" icon, and make sure the box next to it is ticked.

Windows Step 1: Go to "Windows Settings" -->"Privacy".

PC Step 2: Click on "Camera", and make sure "camera access for this device" and "allow apps to access your camera" is ticked.

PC Step 3: Scroll down to the list of apps and make sure the toggle for "Allow desktop apps acess to the camera" is switched to "ON".

Option 6: Examine privacy Settings (IOS and Android)

If you are using Zoom on your mobile device, follow these steps to make sure that your privacy settings are permitting Zoom to use the webcam.

IOS Step 1: From your home screen, tap on your "Settings".

IOS Step 2: Scroll down and tap on "Privacy".

IOS Step 3: Scroll down and tap on "Camera".

IOS Step 4: Find the "Zoom" Icon, and make sure the tab next to it is switched on. (the green will be showing if it is on).

Android Step 1: Open "Settings".

Android Step 2: Go to "Apps and Notifications"

Android Step 3: then go to"Permissions"

Android Step 4: Find the Zoom app and click to go to details about the app.

Android Step 5: Click on "Permissions"

Android Step 6: Scroll down to camera, and make sure the toggle switch is moved to the right, and the blue is showing.

This is the end of our guide. Thanks for reading, and happy Zooming!