If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full Disclosure Here… Show
This article will discuss camera problems and fixes when using Zoom on a Mac. Additionally, this article covers other issues regarding virtual background settings, audio and microphone problems, and privacy settings. Zoom has been one of the most popular videoconferencing platforms for virtual meetings. It allows 100 people to join a single 40-minute conference for free without requiring a personal account to join a virtual meeting. Zoom’s popularity during one of the world’s most difficult times made itself the gateway for numbers of people from different timezones to connect and interact via their own devices. Since Zoom’s selling point is more about convenience, it is very frustrating to encounter problems when you are minutes away from joining a call. You have your Mac already set up and ready to go, and only finding out that something has gone wrong with your camera, microphone, or application. So, here are the most common problems users encounter when using Zoom and how to fix them: Zoom Camera Not Working On MacZoom might not be able to access your camera because it is being used by other programs in the background, or Zoom does not have permission under your Mac’s privacy settings to use your camera. Do the following to troubleshoot these issues:
The Zoom client might be unable to access your camera if a previous application is still using your camera in the background. To close the application, go to Apple Logo > Force Quit and close all applications except Zoom to ensure that only Zoom can access your camera at the moment.
Your Mac’s privacy settings might not be allowing your computer to use your camera. These settings block some applications from using your camera without your permission. Check if Zoom is blocked in these settings. Check Accessibility Settings
Note: You might need to click the lock icon that says “Click the lock to make changes” on the screen’s lower left-hand corner to make any changes in this window. It will ask you for your login credentials. After successfully logging in, you can edit the contents of the Accessibility panel. Once you can make changes in the Accessibility Panel, click the “+” button. Another window will appear and click Applications on the left panel. Select Zoom and click Open to include it in the list of applications that can access your camera and microphone.
Here’s how you do it:
Related Post: Troubleshooting Skype on Mac No Camera Available on MacIf you receive an error that says “No camera available” while starting a Zoom call, you can try the following solutions:
Look for other applications installed on your Mac that use your camera such as Photo Booth, FaceTime, or Skype and test if your camera works. If your camera works on other application, do the following:
Related Post: What to Do if Google Meet is Not Working on Mac? Zoom Virtual Backgrounds Not Working on MacIf you are having problems finding the virtual background option, or you can’t change some settings concerning virtual backgrounds, you might either be using an outdated Mac or an outdated Zoom client. Here are the specifications required for Zoom’s virtual background: Check If Your Device Can Run Virtual BackgroundsThese are the recommended system requirements on a MacBook to run virtual backgrounds. Your MacBook should have at least:
If your device meets these minimum requirements and you still don’t see a virtual background option in zoom, read on. Otherwise, your Mac’s hardware probably doesn’t support Zoom virtual backgrounds. In this case, you might need to upgrade your MacBook to one of the latest versions to use Zoom’s virtual background feature. Related Post: Troubleshooting Webex on Mac Virtual Background Not Showing During MeetingsIf you do not see an option to choose a virtual background during meetings, follow these steps:
You should now be able to see“Choose Virtual Background…” when you click on the upwards arrow “^” next to the camera icon on the bottom of the screen during you next call. Zoom Virtual Background Blending with FaceOne of the reasons why your Zoom virtual background is blending with your face is that you might have the “I have a green screen” option enabled on your settings. To do this:
Note: If you can’t configure this option, you might be using an older MacBook or an outdated Zoom client version. If the “I have a green screen” feature isn’t available to you, you can solve this problem using a green screen or relocating to a place with better lighting to help the camera adjust to the background. For newer versions of the Zoom client, you can use the virtual background feature without the need for a green screen. It uses software that allows your camera to automatically detect you and your background separately. This is why Zoom can set up a virtual background even without using a physical green screen. Related Post: Troubleshooting Microsoft Teams on Mac Configuring Zoom Filters And BackgroundsZoom filters and backgrounds can easily be accessed via Settings > Backgrounds & Filters. Under the camera preview, you can select which virtual background image you would like to use. You can also add a new image that you want by clicking on the “+” symbol on the rightmost side of the tabs and selecting “Add Image.” You can also add a video loop to emulate a live background on your video feed, adding another layer of personality and customizability to your video call. My Zoom Virtual Background is invertedHaving an inverted background during your zoom calls can be really distracting. This can easily happen if you have “Mirror my video” checked under Settings > Background & Filters. All you need to do is to uncheck the “Mirror my video” option, and you can enjoy a normal background for everyone’s viewing pleasure. 5 Steps If Zoom Audio Is Not WorkingTest your audio in ZoomWhen joining a meeting, you should test your hardware if it’s properly working to avoid unnecessary delays. You can check if your microphone and speakers are working by going to Zoom settings.
Testing your speakers
Testing your microphone
Unblock microphone from Security and PrivacyYour Zoom client may not have permission to access your microphone. To check if Zoom has access to your microphone:
Now, relaunch Zoom and check if you can access your camera and microphone when joining a meeting. Unblock Microphone for Zoom on ChromeIf you are using Google Chrome to access the Zoom client, you can check if your browser has access to your camera and microphone. To do this:
Reset your microphoneYou will require administrator privileges on your system to do this process. Contact your administrator if you do not have access to these privileges.
Reset the MacBook’s system management controller (SMC)If you are using a MacBook with an Intel Processor, resetting your MacBook’s SMC might help resolve some hardware-related issues like the camera and microphones not working, which might be interfering with your computer. To reset your MacBook’s SMC:
Check if your camera and microphone are now working. If not, try these steps:
5 Tips To Improve Zoom Audio Quality IssuesFor sure, no one likes a choppy sound or crackling noises during their turn to speak. What virtual meetings always require is clarity in communication so having audio problems needs to be fixed ASAP. It is always best to address these issues before joining a call. Here are some things that you can do to improve your audio quality in Zoom. Set up a quiet workplaceWorking in a noisy location may cause your microphone to automatically adjust the input volume for other users on the other end of the call. Having a noisy background or being near appliances that emit a low humming noise may cause your mic sensitivity to fluctuating, resulting in poor audio quality. Also, keep your microphone away from places where winds may directly blow towards it, such as beside open windows or electric fans. Invest in a dedicated microphone or a headset.Your MacBook’s built-in microphone is quite decent, but it still has its limitations. To have a crisp and clear sound, you must be relatively near your mic, which may not always be the case if you are using your MacBook. So, investing in an external microphone or a headset can make your voice more audible and less sharp during virtual meetings. Also, you don’t have to spend on expensive peripherals to experience better audio quality. These days, budget microphones can deliver excellent audio quality for their low price. Close all running apps in the backgroundIf your computer is running several applications in the background, your CPU will have trouble processing your audio, which is the cause of crackling noises. This usually happens if you are running memory-hogging applications simultaneously. This problem might be accompanied by a slow video stream and choppy audio. Force closing all background applications can help your computer process all the audio and video it is downloading and uploading during your virtual meetings. Secure a fast and stable internet connectionA slow internet connection can cause streaming delays and lags. This can make your audio choppy or even result in unexpected disconnection from the call. Check your internet settings every time before joining a meeting. If you are subscribed to a limited internet connection plan, ensure that you are not downloading anything in the background, such as updates or files, before joining a call. You can also opt for a wired internet connection if your Wi-Fi signal is weak on your location to ensure that you are receiving a stable bandwidth for your virtual meeting. Turn off HD VideoTurning off HD video can make your connection more secure by demanding less bandwidth for your call. Reducing your steaming quality can ensure that you can have stable audio and video signals. This is essential if you notice that your audio and video quality is dropping, especially if you are using mobile data. T To turn off HD Video:
Once you turned it off, you can expect a better audio experience! Photo credit: ©canva.com How do I add a virtual background to my Mac Zoom without green screen?Windows | macOS. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.. Click your profile picture, then click Settings.. Select Backgrounds & Filters . ... . Check I have a green screen if you have a physical green screen set up. ... . Click on an image or video to select the desired virtual background.. Why won't Zoom backgrounds work on my macbook air?True. Your Mac has an Intel i5 dual core, 5th generation processor and thus does not meet the Zoom requirements for virtual background.
Can you use Zoom backgrounds on a Macbook Air?To use the virtual background feature on Zoom, you'll need to first enable the feature: Access your settings. Go to the Account Management section, and navigate to Account Settings. Find the Meeting area and locate the Virtual Background option.
Why can't my computer do Zoom backgrounds without green screen?Virtual background without a green screen is not supported when utilizing the desktop client within a virtual environment. The blur background feature requires the desktop computer meet the "Images only without a green screen" requirements, while mobile devices must meet the base requirements for virtual background.
|