Zoom has quickly become one of the most popular video conferencing platforms, especially during these times when staying at home is becoming a norm. Video calls have been a huge part of our lockdown routine and come in handy for professional meetings, online classes, or virtual get-togethers with family or friends.
Nothing can be more frustrating than experiencing technical difficulties right before an important call or lesson. And one of the most common problems that Zoom users face is camera glitching. This issue occurs when the camera freezes or lags in the middle of a call. But what causes this problem, and how can you fix it?
“Technology is supposed to make our lives easier.” – Evan Spiegel
Luckily, there are easy solutions to solve your camera glitches without having to spend money on expensive equipment or hire professionals to fix it. In this post, we’ll explore various reasons why your Zoom camera may be glitching and provide step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix them on your own. Whether you’re using a PC, Mac, or mobile device, we’ve got you covered.
Read on to discover quick fixes that will help you maintain seamless video calls and avoid any disruptions caused by webcam glitches.
Check Your Internet Connection
One of the most common reasons for Zoom camera glitching is a poor internet connection. If your video quality constantly fluctuates, freezes, or goes dark, it’s likely that your internet service provider is causing the issue.
To check if your internet is the source of the problem, open a web browser and load any website. If the page takes a long time to load or fails to load altogether, chances are there’s an issue with your connection.
If this is the case, try these solutions:
Reset Your Router
Your router may be overloaded from multiple devices trying to connect to the internet at once. To fix this issue, reset your router by turning it off then waiting 15 seconds before turning it back on. This could help in resolving small technical issues hindering smooth data transfer across your network.
Switch to a Wired Connection
A wired connection is usually more stable than Wi-Fi because you have a direct connection to your modem. Try plugging in your computer directly into your internet switch using Ethernet cables. You can purchase longer ethernet cables online or in stores if needed.
Check Your Network Settings
Sometimes changes in default network settings of devices cause conflicts between layers of your network infrastructure leading to network interruptions. Verify that no one has changed or altered your network configuration such as DHCP server settings, MTU size, subnet mask, etc. Ensure everything is set up properly, else reach out to tech support team of zoom.
Run a Speed Test
If all other fixes fail, test your internet speed. Go to a site like https://www.speedtest.net/ and click the ‘Go’ button to start the test. The results will show you the speed of both your download and upload internet rates as well as if there are drops in between. Contact your ISP for solutions to upgrade or repair the network, improve throughput with new options.
“A strong Wi-Fi signal means a strong life signal” -Vikrmn Corpkshetra
A weak internet connection may be causing Zoom camera glitches. If you’re experiencing this issue, start by resetting your router, switch to wired connections, check your network settings, and run an internet speed test. And remember, having a strong Wi-Fi signal can immensely affect your online experience!
Close Background Applications and Programs
If you’re experiencing a glitch with your Zoom camera, it could be caused by background applications or programs running on your device. These apps may consume resources like CPU power and RAM, leading to a slow-performing device and glitches in your video conferencing software.
To fix the issue, you’ll need to close all unnecessary applications and programs that are running in the background. This way, you will free up more resources for Zoom, making the program run smoothly without any issues:
Identify Resource-Hogging Apps
You can check which apps and programs are using the most resources on your device by opening the Task Manager (for Windows) or Activity Monitor (for Mac). In this section, we’ll focus on how to identify resource-hogging apps on Windows devices:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc or right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager.”
- Click on the “Processes” tab, then click on “CPU” to see which processes are draining your CPU performance.
- Sort through the list and look for apps that use a lot of CPU time but aren’t essential for operating your device.
- Once you’ve identified these apps, click on them and select “End Task” to shut them down.
On a Mac, follow these steps:
- Open the Launchpad and go to “Other,” then open the “Activity Monitor.”
- Select the “CPU” tab to view the list of running apps sorted by their CPU usage.
- Look for apps that use a lot of CPU time but aren’t necessary, then click on them and select “Quit” to close them.
Use Task Manager to Close Apps
If you’re not sure which applications or programs are causing Zoom camera glitches, you may want to close all apps running in the background. Again, we’ll provide the steps for Windows devices:
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select “Task Manager.”
- Click on “Details” tab (For Windows 7 users, it is labeled as “Processes”) and look for any program that doesn’t have a status of “Running.”
- Select these non-running processes one by one and click on the “End Process” button.
This will free up enough resources for your device to run smoothly, allowing Zoom to function without any issues while making good use of your system’s hardware resources. Once you’ve closed these apps, open Zoom again and test whether your camera works well during a video call.
“Zoom can also be glitchy if your computer isn’t properly set up. Resource-hogging antivirus software can certainly cause this issue.” -Andy O’Donnell at Lifewire
Update Your Zoom App
If your Zoom camera is glitching, the first thing you should check is if your app is up to date. Outdated versions of the app can sometimes cause camera issues.
To update your Zoom app, follow these simple steps:
- Open Zoom on your device.
- Click on your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner.
- Select “Check for Updates.”
- If there is an available update, click “Download and Install.”
- Wait for the update to finish downloading and installing.
- Restart your Zoom app and check if the camera issue has been resolved.
Updating your Zoom app is a quick and easy fix that may resolve any glitches you’re experiencing with your camera during video conferences.
Check for Available Updates
Most software requires consistent maintenance through updates; similarly, the Zoom application also undergoes software upgrades regularly.
You need to ensure that your Zoom application is updated as per new releases which help users experience its full capabilities.
“Zoom’s developers constantly update the software with security patches and bug fixes.” -AnonHQ
Checking for available updates is crucial since this helps you get the latest version of Zoom containing all the required features and enhancements essential for smooth workflow processes.
Uninstall and Reinstall Zoom
If updating your Zoom app doesn’t solve the camera glitching issue, you may need to take further measures. The next best solution would be to uninstall and reinstall the app from scratch.
This step will remove all the old and corrupted files associated with the Zoom app. Upon installing a fresh copy of Zoom, you might fix all your issues, and your application will function smoothly.
The process to uninstall and reinstall the Zoom App is different for Mac and Windows users, but here are some general directions:
- Open Control Panel on your device
- Select “Uninstall a program” or “Programs, Features”, depending on what your system displays
- Find and Select Zoom
- Click the Uninstall/Change button in the top bar above Zoom
- Follow instructions given by your computer to complete the task fully
- After removing Zoom from the computer, visit the Zoom Download Center webpage using your internet browser to download the software client again.
- Install the downloaded file as per instructions accordingly.
At times, simple steps like restarting your device may resolve camera glitches faced while running video conferences efficiently. However, updating or reinstalling the Zoom Client can help solve any significant problems that disturb smooth workflow processes during online meetings.
Check Your Camera Settings
If you are experiencing issues with your Zoom camera, the first thing to check is your camera settings. Make sure that your camera is set up correctly and configured properly so that it can work seamlessly during meetings.
Here are some tips on how to check your camera settings:
Adjust Brightness and Contrast
“If your webcam looks dark or has poor image quality, adjusting brightness and contrast could be a quick fix.” -Brad Moon, Forbes Contributor
One of the most common reasons why your Zoom camera may be glitching is due to lighting. Whether too much light or insufficient light, both can affect image quality. If it’s too dark, brighten your surroundings and adjust brightness by moving closer to a light source or increasing the amount of artificial illumination in the room.
You can also adjust image quality by tweaking the brightness and contrast settings on your computer to get better clarity from your camera. These settings are typically located in the video settings menu of your device’s control panel, under “camera properties.”
Enable Camera Access in Zoom
“Make sure to allow Zoom access to your camera, microphone and speakers for full functionality” -Michelle Adeola Adelufosi, Lifewire contributing writer
The next step is to make sure that Zoom has permission to utilize your camera. Without this permission, the camera won’t work at all no matter what additional adjustments you make. Here’s how to do it:
- In Zoom app, click on the settings gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “video” from the left-hand pane, then choose your installed camera from the drop-down list.
- Test the camera by viewing the sample video output to ensure that it is working properly.
Check Camera Privacy Settings
“Webcam hacking can occur through spyware, malware or a virus. This allows hackers remote access to laptop webcams, and they can even turn them on, without turning on the indicator light.” -Chris Hoffman, How-to Geek contributing writer
Security should always be top of mind when using Zoom or any other online communications platform. One way to enhance security is to check your camera privacy settings to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your device’s camera. Hackers can gain access to your camera and use it to see what’s happening in front of the lens but with settings switched off, you can add another layer of protection against webcam hacks. Here are some steps to take:
- Access your computer’s privacy settings on your control panel or operating system’s preferences app.
- Find “Camera” under the “Privacy” tab or section and click it..
- Toggle the switch so that access to the camera is disabled until you need it.
Update Camera Drivers
“If you’re having trouble getting your camera recognized by Zoom, make sure you have updated drivers installed for your USB devices, especially if you’ve recently upgraded your OS version.” -Ubergizmo staff reporter
If none of the previous solutions has worked so far, updating your camera driver might help fix issues related to unrecognized or non-functional cameras. Make sure all software updates are completed on a regular basis including relevant and necessary technical patches. Here’s how:
- Go to your computer’s Device Manager by typing in the search bar “device manager.”
- Find “Cameras” from the list of device categories and look at installed cameras.
- Right-click your camera’s driver software in the Device Manager and select “Update Driver.”
If none of these troubleshooting strategies work, consider reaching out to Zoom customer service. They can provide additional support or advice on how to resolve any remaining problems you’re experiencing with your glitching camera.
Restart Your Device
If you are experiencing glitches in your Zoom camera, the first and most straightforward step to take is to restart your device. Restarting helps refresh your device system and can fix minor software issues that may be causing the glitch.
You can choose to perform a soft reset or a hard reset, depending on the severity of the problem. Let’s delve into each option in detail:
Perform a Soft Reset
A soft reset involves turning off your device and then restarting it without deleting any data or settings. Performing a soft reset is simple, and anyone can do it with ease.
“When troubleshooting problems like apps crashing, network connectivity or similar issues, a good place to start is by rebooting (soft resetting). This often resolves the issue, and since it takes little time and effort, it’s worth trying before moving onto other solutions.” -Tech Republic.com
To perform a soft reset on an iPhone, press and hold both the home button and power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. For Android devices, hold down the power button until the device turns off completely. Wait for a few seconds and switch your device back on.
Perform a Hard Reset
If performing a soft reset does not resolve the issue, try performing a hard reset. A hard reset will delete all data and restore your device to its original factory settings. Therefore, ensure to backup critical data before performing the process.
“If your device has frozen up and constantly experiences crashes, freezes, or battery drain, a hard reset is necessary….You’ll lose everything stored on the phone but that’s sometimes a necessary tradeoff.” -ZDNet
To perform a hard reset on an iPhone, go to “Settings,” select “General,” then “Reset” and finally “Erase all content and settings.” Enter your passcode when prompted to confirm the process. For Android devices, hold down power plus volume up or down button until you access recovery mode.
It’s important to note that hard resets should only be a last resort option after soft resetting has failed. If you are not comfortable performing the process yourself, seek assistance from an expert or authorized dealer.
“A factory reset is a complete wipe of your phone. It will delete everything on the phone including any data stored on internal storage, like contacts, apps, pictures, videos and messages…You may want to try other troubleshooting steps before doing it.” -Android Central
Restarting your device can fix most glitches experienced during Zoom meetings. However, if this does not work, consider other solutions such as checking for updates, uninstalling/reinstalling Zoom, and contacting zoom support.
Test Your Camera on Other Applications
If your Zoom camera is glitching, the first step in troubleshooting the problem is to test your camera on other applications. This way, you can determine if the issue lies with your camera or with the Zoom software.
Use the Camera App
A great way to test your camera is by using the pre-installed camera app on your device. On a Windows computer, open the Camera app and take photos or record videos to see if there are any glitches in the footage. If you’re using a Mac, open Photo Booth and conduct the same tests.
Use Skype or FaceTime
Another application that you can use to test your camera is Skype or FaceTime. Both applications require access to your camera, so if the video feed comes through clear without any issues, then it’s likely that the zoom glitch is not due to hardware failure.
Check for Camera Compatibility
If your camera has previously worked with Zoom but is now malfunctioning, make sure that it is compatible with the latest version of Zoom. It’s recommended that you check Zoom’s support website for information regarding compatibility and minimum system requirements before updating to the latest release.
Note that the following cameras are known to be incompatible with Zoom:
- Logitech QuickCam Chat
- Logitech QuickCam Express
- Samsung Webcams
If you own one of these cameras and experience problems with your Zoom call, this could be the reason why.
Update Other Video Conferencing Apps
It’s also important to ensure that all of your video conferencing apps are up-to-date, including Zoom. Software updates often include fixes for glitches and compatibility issues, which means updating to the latest version could solve your problem.
“One of the most common causes of webcam problems in video conferencing applications is outdated drivers or software.” -TechRepublic
Make sure that you check your operating system for any new updates as well, as these can also cause issues with your camera’s performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Zoom camera freezing during calls?
There can be several reasons why your Zoom camera is freezing during calls. It could be due to a poor internet connection, outdated Zoom software, or hardware issues. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and update your Zoom software to the latest version. If the problem persists, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the Zoom app.
Why is my Zoom camera showing a black screen?
If your Zoom camera is showing a black screen, it could be due to several reasons. Check if your camera is turned on and properly connected to your computer. Make sure that no other program is using the camera at the same time. If the problem persists, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the Zoom app. You can also contact Zoom support for further assistance.
Why is my Zoom camera lagging during meetings?
If your Zoom camera is lagging during meetings, it could be due to a poor internet connection, outdated Zoom software, or hardware issues. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and update your Zoom software to the latest version. You can also try closing other programs or reducing the number of participants in the meeting. If the problem persists, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the Zoom app.
Why is my Zoom camera blurry or pixelated?
If your Zoom camera is blurry or pixelated, it could be due to several reasons. Check if your camera lens is clean and not covered with dust or fingerprints. Make sure that your internet connection is stable and not slow. You can also try adjusting the camera settings or lighting in your room. If the problem persists, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the Zoom app.
Why is my Zoom camera not working on my computer?
If your Zoom camera is not working on your computer, it could be due to several reasons. Check if your camera is properly connected and turned on. Make sure that you have given Zoom permission to access your camera. If the problem persists, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the Zoom app. You can also contact Zoom support for further assistance.
Why is my Zoom camera not turning on?
If your Zoom camera is not turning on, it could be due to several reasons. Check if your camera is properly connected to your computer and turned on. Make sure that you have given Zoom permission to access your camera. If the problem persists, try restarting your computer or reinstalling the Zoom app. You can also try connecting the camera to a different computer or contact Zoom support for further assistance.