When you’ve got an important Zoom call coming up, the last thing you want is problems getting it to work. Especially if it’s something like a job interview. If you find yourself in that position, keep calm and try out some of these potential fixes.
Table of Contents
1. Download the Zoom client
While it’s possible to use Zoom through your browser, there are several advantages to downloading the Zoom client directly on your Mac. Not only will you have access to more features, but you’ll also be able to isolate problems with your Zoom app faster. You can download the most recent client for your Mac through the Zoom website.
2. Give Zoom permission to run
Once you’ve installed the Zoom client successfully, it needs various permissions from your Mac to work. For example, Zoom video conferencing requires that at least your camera and microphone are accessible. Here’s how to give Zoom the necessary permissions to run on your Mac.
First, give Zoom access to your camera. To do this, click the Apple icon > System Preferences. Next, select Security and Privacy > Privacy > Camera. Then, check the box next to the Zoom logo. Below the Camera button, select Microphone and repeat the previous step.
Second, under Privacy, select Files and Folders. Scroll down to find the Zoom logo and check the box next to the Downloads Folder. This will enable you to share and save files to your Mac.
Lastly, click the Screen Recording button under Files and Folders. Check the box next to the Zoom logo to let your Mac share your screen during your meetings.
3. Identify and close apps using the Mac camera or microphone
If you can launch Zoom but can’t seem to open your Mac camera or microphone, you may simply need to close the other apps that are using them. Alternatively, try out some troubleshooting methods to fix your Mac camera or microphone.
4. Check your internet connection
Zoom, like any video conferencing app, needs to be connected to the internet to work. If it’s not, you can’t make any calls. Check your internet is actually connected by opening a web browser and navigating to a few different web pages.
5. Spot VPN interference
There are tons of advantages to using a VPN. However, difficulty accessing Zoom is not one of them. While many corporate accounts require VPNs for remote workers, they can significantly affect the video calling experience. Zoom even recommends turning off your VPN during meetings if it’s not absolutely necessary.
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6. Update your Zoom
Zoom app updates help optimize your video call experience by removing bugs, improving speed, enhancing security features and more. To update your Zoom app, launch Zoom and click zoom.us. Then click Check for Updates and Update to confirm. If the update is critical, Zoom may not let you use the app unless you do so immediately.
7. Check if the Zoom server is down
Though rare, there are times that the Zoom app undergoes maintenance or emergency updates. While there’s little that you can do in these situations, it’s good to know that it’s not you, it’s Zoom.
Should the server be down, you have the option to either try a different meeting platform or wait until Zoom resolves the problem. To check the Zoom server state, take a look at the Zoom status page.
8. Close apps that take up too much power
When a Mac is over capacity, apps like Zoom have trouble performing optimally. Some of the most common reasons for high CPU usage include video editing software or spreadsheets running tons of data in the background.
To improve your video conferencing experience, identify which apps are using most of your CPU capacity and close them. Find the apps that take too much of your Mac’s processing power by checking your Activity Monitor.
Press the command button and spacebar at the same time to open your Mac spotlight. Next, type Activity Monitor and press return. Then, close the applications that show a significant amount of CPU usage.
9. Restart your Mac
There’s an age-old IT support quote that everyone has heard at least once: “Have you tried turning it off and on?” When it comes to Zoom, restarting your Mac can resolve a variety of software problems or hardware errors, all at once. To restart your Mac, all you have to do is click the Apple icon and select Restart.
10. Reinstall Zoom
When all else fails, the solution to getting your Zoom working again may just be reinstalling the app. There are two parts to this: uninstalling the old version of your Zoom app and installing an updated version.
First, open your Zoom app and click zoom.us. Then, select Uninstall zoom and continue with the instructions. Next, go to the Zoom download page and download the latest version of the app for your Mac. Install it as normal.
Conclusion
Zoom has quickly become an indispensable tool for many remote workers and companies everywhere. When it’s not working, it can be a real pain. But by keeping your Zoom app up to date and following the guidance in this article, you can hopefully avoid any annoying issues when joining video calls.
