You may need to try several troubleshooting methods to fix your Zoom camera.
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If your Zoom camera isn’t working, make sure the camera is properly installed and works in other apps.
Check to make sure Zoom has permission to use your device’s camera and install updates to Zoom and your OS as well.
Here are seven of the best ways to fix your camera when it’s not working in Zoom.
Using Zoom to conduct remote web meetings is now a part of everyday life, and for many people is one of the trade-offs that comes with getting to work from home. Zoom meetings can be a hassle, but they’re even worse when your camera is not working properly. There are a lot of potential issues to sort through, but we’ve rounded up the seven most common ways to remedy Zoom when your camera is not working.
Make sure your camera is properly connected
If you are using a camera that’s built into your device — like the camera in your phone or laptop — you can skip to the next step. But if you are using a plug-in webcam for your desktop computer, for example, your first stop should be making sure it’s properly connected and will work on its own, outside of Zoom. Ensure it’s plugged in and try a different USB port if necessary. Try using the camera in a different app; if you are using Windows, for example, click Start and type “camera.” Start the Camera app when you see it in the search results, and make sure you can see the camera’s feed in the app. If not, you’ll need to get the camera working before trying to use it in Zoom.
Before any other troubleshooting, ensure the camera works in apps outside Zoom.
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Ensure no other app is trying to use the camera
One of the most common reasons your camera won’t work in Zoom is because your device is already using it for a different app. Check any other apps that are currently running to make sure no other apps are using the camera, and restart your device if needed to release the hold your operating system might have on the camera.
Check the camera settings in Zoom
Is Zoom trying to use the correct camera? You might have more than one camera connected to your device, and in fact, Zoom might be trying to use a “phantom” camera that’s not actually installed, configured, or working. Start the Zoom app and enter a meeting. Click the arrow to the right of the Start Video or Stop Video button and see if there’s more than one camera in the device list. If so, try selecting a different camera and see if that solves your problem.
If Zoom senses there’s more than one camera installed, make sure it’s trying to use the correct one.
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Check the camera permissions
You might not see any video because the Zoom app doesn’t have permission to use your camera. The way to check on this depends on what kind of device you’re using for your Zoom call.
If you’re using Windows, go to the Settings app and choose Privacy & Security, then Camera. Make sure both Let apps access your camera and Let desktop apps access your camera are enabled by swiping the buttons to the right.
On a Mac, open System Preferences and then choose Security & Privacy. Click the Privacy tab. Click the Lock icon at the bottom to unlock the page. Click Camera on the left and make sure that Zoom is enabled with a check mark.
On an iPhone, start the Settings app and tap Privacy & Security. Tap Camera and ensure Zoom is turned on by swiping the button to the right. Finally, if you have an Android, start the Settings app and tap Apps. Tap See all apps and tap Zoom. Tap Permissions, then Cameras, and enable it by choosing either Allow only while using the app or Ask every time.
Make sure Zoom has permission to use your device’s camera.
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Restart the device
If your camera seems properly installed and you have granted the proper permission for Zoom to use it, an easy fix is to often simply restart the device you’re trying to use Zoom on. You can turn off most Android phones by holding the power button for several seconds, or swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the Power icon in the shortcuts panel. Here’s how to restart your iPhone regardless of which model you own.
Update the Zoom app
Perhaps there’s a critical bug or incompatibility in the Zoom app that’s keeping it from working properly. If you’re using Windows or a Mac, visit the Zoom website to download and install the latest version of Zoom.
On an iPhone, start the App Store and then tap your account icon at the top of the screen. In the Available Updates section, scroll to see the apps with updates waiting to be installed. Look for Zoom, and if you see it in the list, tap Update. On Android, start the Play Store app on your Android. Tap your account icon at the top of the screen and then tap Manage apps & device. With the Overview tab selected, tap Updates available. Look for Zoom, and if you see it, tap Update.
Update your device’s operating system
If nothing else has resolved the issue, it’s also possible that an update to your device’s operating system could resolve the problem with your camera. This is especially true of some versions of MacOS, which have been reported to cause incompatibilities with Zoom.
If you need a refresher, here is how to update your Mac to the latest version of MacOS. Windows should automatically install the latest updates, but you can check by clicking the Start button and typing “update.” Click Check for updates and then click the Check for updates button. You should also update your iPhone or update Android to the latest version of the operating system and check Zoom again.