Troubleshoot for ZOOM
Stuck in the waiting to join loop and can't join the meeting
It is most likely because your ZOOM is not up-to-date. If so, update it to the latest version. See:
Your webcam video just shows a black screen.
If these "quick" troubleshoot methods below do not work, participate in the meeting without the webcam or use another device if it is available (e.g., smartphone, tablet).
- Your webcam is not available to ZOOM because it is used by another application. Have you used an application that used the webcam earlier? If it is running in the background, it may not have released the webcam yet. Completely exit out of the application.
- If it is an external webcam, unplug and reinsert the USB cable.
- Turn off and on the webcam.
- If multiple webcams are listed under video, switch to a different webcam and switch back to the one you are trying to use.
- Restart ZOOM.
- Restart your computer.
- Reinstall ZOOM.
Your webcam is not listed under video.
Your computer does not detect your webcam. Try these quick troubleshoot methods below. If they do not work, troubleshoot will take much longer, so I suggest you participate in the meeting without the webcam or use another device if it is available (e.g., smartphone, tablet).
- If it is an external webcam, unplug and reinsert the USB cable.
- If it is an external webcam, plug it into a different USB port.
- Restart ZOOM.
- Restart your computer.
- Reinstall ZOOM.
Your webcam video is frozen.
(1) Stop your webcam video and start it again. (2) If it does not work, exist out of ZOOM, and fresh-start and join the ZOOM meeting again. (3) If it doesn't work, restart your computer and join the meeting again.
- Stop Video & Start Video
Your webcam video is choppy.
It is most likely due to your internet connection or computer system being slow. Try one or more of the following.
- Restart ZOOM
- Close other applications that you are not using.
- If you are downloading files or playing online videos, stop them.
- Restart your computer.
- If you are using video effects (e.g., virtual background, AR, beautification), disable them. See How to Change Video Settings.
Your mic volume is too low.
Go to the Audio Settings and increase the microphone volume.
- Change Mic Volume
Your mic is not listed or working. People cannot hear you.
If it is not muted on ZOOM, it may be muted in your computer's audio setting. See:
- How to Mute/Unmute Audio on Windows
Your mic audio is choppy during a ZOOM meeting.
If it rarely happens, (1) exit out of the apps that are not in use, (2) If it doesn't help, restart ZOOM. (3) If it still doesn't help, restart your computer.
You cannot use virtual background unless you have a green screen.
Virtual background in ZOOM requires specific computer specs. (1) Try a different device. (2) If you have a green screen, use it. (3) You can also place your computer so that there's only a plain solid background (e.g., wall) behind you, which will work just like a green screen.
Topic #004
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HOW-TO
How to Check ZOOM Version
- Open the ZOOM client.
- Click the gear icon (A) on the top right corner.
- On the Settings window, go to the Statistics tab (B) and you'll find the app version listed there (C).
How to Update ZOOM to Latest Version
- Open the ZOOM client app.
- Check for update by going to: your account icon (A) > Check for Updates (B).
- You can also manually download the latest version from this download page.
