Why is My Video not Working on Zoom? How to Fix it with 10 Ways

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Zoey Wen
November 17, 2023 Preview 182 Preview 0
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Find the camera unresponsive when you’re about to join a Zoom meeting? Get a black screen on your laptop when using video during Zoom classes? Have problems with Zoom video’s stopping every several seconds? Unable to see the video of the other participants of Zoom meeting? Or feel distressed about any other video not working on Zoom issues?

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Stop being at a loss, land on this right page for you, to look into the reasons why Zoom video is not working on computer and what we should do to fix it in different scenarios. But before that, try to update or reinstall Zoom app, or reboot your device for the basic troubleshooting. If problem remains unsolved, just start your exploration.

 

Part 1: Check camera's problems to fix video not working on Zoom

When engaged in video on Zoom not working properly, at first we can check if there are any problems with camera itself, which could be caused by 3 common reasons. Let’s get to know their corresponding solutions.

Reason 1: Corrupted camera

Obviously, once your camera becomes corrupted or problematic somehow, video won’t work on Zoom. Here you’re supposed to test the camera with a different app or on another device. If camera doesn’t operate either, exchange a new camera for Zoom. While if your camera runs well, proceed to other possibility.

 

Reason 2: Abnormal connection

In the event that you’re using an external camera, Zoom video not working can potentially result from poor connectivity. Go to reconnect the camera and your computer, or switch the cable and USB port. If wireless webcam is utilized, make sure the Bluetooth has been enabled and the camera is in sufficient charge.

 

Reason 3: Incorrect camera status

Another situation might be that your camera is not selected or turned on at all on Zoom. To check the camera status, simply look at the camera icon at the bottom of your Zoom Meeting windows and confirm that it has been toggled on. Moreover, make sure to select the correct camera device by clicking the up arrow beside “Start Video”.
check camera status

Part 2: Check Zoom's issues to fix video not working on Zoom

Assuming your camera turns out to be nothing wrong, take a further step to verify whether video not working on Zoom stems from improper settings or errors within Zoom client.

Reason 1: Improper Zoom meeting camera settings

Your specific video settings for Zoom meeting may not be chosen appropriately. This is how to check on Zoom desktop version.

  1. Click on the gear icon to enter Zoom Settings.check zoom settings 01
  2. Select “Video” tab > make sure “Stop my video when joining” option is unchecked.check zoom settings 02

 

Reason 2: Unknown errors within Zoom

In addition to video settings, some unknown errors and bugs in Zoom can result in video not working as well. In this case, we’d better run the built-in troubleshooting tool to detect and fix any faults.

  1. Go to Video under Zoom Settings, click the link labeled Troubleshooting in the lower right corner.built in troubleshoot 01
  2. You’ll see a list of options, covering a few tips for error troubleshooting. Comply with these instructions, in case of failure, visit Zoom’s Support Center to ask a favor.built in troubleshoot 02

Part 3: Check computer's troubles to fix video not working on Zoom

Now if all the solutions above prove to be of no avail, it's recommended to find the causes from your PC/Mac computer. As following we’ll unmask 5 kinds of scenarios to help you resolve Zoom video not to work as efficiently as possible.

Reason 1: No permission to access camera for Zoom

Zoom app might have been locked in your computer’s privacy settings due to security reasons, so that it has no permission to access the camera. Therefore, we have to manually allow its access, whose detailed steps are different for Windows and macOS.

For Windows users

  1. Navigate to Start menu on your PC > choose Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & security, scroll down to select Camera under App permissions.windows allow access 01
  3. Confirm that the Camera access button is turned on. Also find Zoom in the app list to make sure it’s switched on.windows allow access 02

 

For macOS users

  1. In the top left corner of your Mac desktop, click the Apple logo > choose System Preferences.mac allow access 01
  2. Hit on Security & Privacy tab.mac allow access 02
  3. Go to Privacy > Select Camera from the left panel > ensure the box next to Zoom is ticked.mac allow access 03

 

Reason 2: Outdated camera hardware

Camera’s hardware problem, such as the outdated driver, also belongs to one possible factor causing video not working on Zoom issue. Here are how to check for updates on PC and Mac respectively.

On Windows PC

  1. Search Device Manager to open it.windows update drivers 01
  2. Find Cameras > expand the small arrow next to it. You’ll see the using camera on your PC. If Cameras option is not available in the list, go to Imaging devices instead.windows update drivers 02
  3. Right-click on the camera > select Update driver.windows update drivers 03
  4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers”.windows update drivers 04
  5. If there are any updated drivers, install them. Then close the driver updater and head to check if Zoom video can work again.

 

On Mac

  1. Open Apple menu > About This Mac.mac system update 01
  2. Click on Software Update.mac system update 02
  3. If any updates are showed here, select Update All to install them. Finally verify whether the video not working on Zoom has been fixed or not.mac system update 03

Reason 3: Conflicts with other camera-using apps

Your camera has no ability to work with more than one application simultaneously. Suppose that any other programs on your computer are trying to utilize the camera, they will definitely interfere with the video working on Zoom. Thus, do remember to close any background software that may use device camera before attending Zoom video meeting.

 

Reason 4: Camera compatibility issue with Zoom (for Lenovo PC)

Those Lenovo PC users can get bothered by Zoom video not working, because Lenovo computers have the compatibility problem with Zoom app by default. That is conducted through Zoom being prevented from accessing the camera by Camera Privacy Mode. So it’s necessary to turn off this mode for Zoom video to work normally. Check out the guide below to solve video not working on Zoom on Lenovo.

  1. Click the Windows key on your desktop > type Lenovo Vantage in the search bar > open it.camera privacy mode lenovo 01
  2. Click the hamburger icon at the top right corner > select Display & Camera.camera privacy mode lenovo 02
  3. Switch Camera Privacy Mode to ensure it’s turned off.camera privacy mode lenovo 03

 

Reason 5: Zoom denying access to camera on macOS 10.7

Likewise, there’s also a specific Zoom camera issue for computers running macOS 10.7. If you’re one of the macOS 10.7 users, follow up the tutorial below to make video work on Zoom by removing some certain folders and files.

  1. Open Finder > select Go on the top menu bar > choose Go to Folder.delete files macos 01
  2. Copy and paste the path: Library/QuickTime/ into the box > click Go to enter.delete files macos 02
  3. Find these folders: Video Glide, Sonix SN9C, 3ivx Video Codec and Desktop Video Out, and delete them.
  4. After deletion, go to test whether you’re able to run camera on Zoom.

 

Bonus part: How to recover lost/corrupted Zoom videos?

Zoom video not working brings about an unexpected data loss? It’s not uncommon. Sometimes camera issues on Zoom tend to cause the loss or corruption of your Zoom videos and recordings. Would like to restore the missing files? A piece of professional data recovery software would come in great handy.

Cisdem Data Recovery will be strongly recommended. Trusted by over 2 million users, it’s a versatile tool to recover data lost due to mistaken deletion, formatting, disk corruption, power failure, virus attack, system crash, Windows reinstallation, etc. Thanks to its advanced algorithms, modern interface and quick scan speeds, Cisdem can be adopted by you Zoom users to retrieve lost/corrupted videos effortlessly. Read on to know how:

  • Step 1. Download, install and launch Cisdem Data Recovery on your PC/Mac.
    Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7 Free Download macOS 10.9 or later
  • Step 2. Choose PC Recovery. Select the location where your Zoom videos were missing/damaged, click Scan to continue.recover zoom video cisdem 01
  • Step 3. During or after scanning, go to Type > Videos to look for the Zoom recorded videos you need to recover.recover zoom video cisdem 02
  • Step 4. Preview and select the wanted video files. Click Recover to restore them back.recover zoom video cisdem 03

 

To conclude

All the time Zoom application has been enjoying a great popularity in remote meetings and classes online. Along with its huge number of users, Zoom is inevitably going to suffer camera not working problems, out of a variety of causes. This page lists nearly all potential reasons for videos not working on Zoom and relevant measures to cope with them. We are in hopes of helping you.

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Zoey Wen

Zoey shows a great interest in what she does. Although not long with Cisdem, she has possessed a professional understanding of data recovery.

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