Unable to share screen on Zoom? Try These Fixes

Zoom is a popular video conferencing tool useful for allowing people to connect from different locations. Moreover, its screen sharing option can be extremely useful for sharing information during meetings. However, as often happens with technology, one can experience setbacks using Zoom, including screen sharing. If you're having trouble with this feature in Zoom, we can help.

We've collected four common solutions for Zoom screen sharing issues, with specific steps on how to apply them across multiple devices.

Screen sharing doesn't work in Zoom on a Mac

To get your screen sharing working through macOS, try the following fixes. At the end of each, test if the issue is resolved.

1. Check your internet connection

For screen sharing to work properly, you must have access to a strong internet connection. To ensure you have enough bandwidth available, consider using an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router or modem.

2. Check that you have authorized access to your microphone and camera

Zoom requires access to your microphone and camera for all of its features to work. Make sure you have allowed web browser access to your microphone and camera:

1. At the top left, click the Apple icon.
   
2. Select "System Preferences", "Security & Privacy", then "Privacy".
   
3. Choose "Camera" or "Microphone".
   
4. Check the box next to your browser and allow it to access your camera or microphone.
   

3. Disable Other Apps Accessing Your Camera

Zoom will have issues accessing your camera if it is currently accessible by other apps. To disable another app's access to your camera:

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner.
2. Click on “System Preferences”, “Security & Privacy”, then “Privacy”.
3. Choose "Camera".
4. Uncheck the box[es] next to the app[s] to disable access.

4. Try deleting and then reinstalling the Zoom app

Deleting the Zoom app will delete all its associated data, which could be causing the problem. Then reinstall it to have the latest version on your desktop. To remove zoom:

1. Click "Finder" in the Dock.
   
2. In the sidebar, click on “Applications”.
   
3. Drag the app to the Trash or click on the app, then select "File" and "Move to Trash".
   
4. Enter your Mac username and password if prompted.

To reinstall Zoom:

1. Click on the App Store app through your Dock.
2. Enter a search for the Zoom app then click on it.
3. Click "Get" under the app to install it.

Screen sharing not working in Zoom on Windows PC

Try the following fixes through Windows to get your screen sharing working. Check each time if you have solved the problem.

1. Check your internet connection

Zoom needs a strong internet connection for screen sharing as it consumes a lot of bandwidth. Try connecting to your router or modem via an Ethernet cable for a better connection.

2. Check that you have authorized access to your microphone and camera

To fix your screen sharing problem in Zoom, try allowing access to your microphone and camera. To do it through Windows:

1. Select “Settings” then “Privacy”.
   
2. In the left pane under "App Permissions", select "Camera".
   
3. Enable the following two options: “Allow access to the camera on this device” and “Allow applications to access your camera”.
4. Go to "Allow desktop apps to access your camera" and make sure "Zoom" is listed.
   
5. Repeat the steps for your "Microphone".

3. Disable Other Apps Accessing Your Camera

In order for Zoom to access your camera for screen sharing, you must disable access to other apps. To do this:

1. Go to "Settings", "Privacy", then in the left pane, "Camera".
   
2. In the right pane, scroll down to the "Choose which apps can access your camera" section.
   
3. Here you can block any app from accessing your camera by toggling the app's switch to "OFF".
   

4. Try deleting and then reinstalling the Zoom app

Try deleting the Zoom app to remove all associated data. Then reinstall it to have the latest version on your desktop. To remove the Zoom app:

1. Click "Start" and find "Zoom" in the list.
   
2. Long-press or right-click on it, then select "Uninstall".
   

To reinstall Zoom:

1. Click on “Start” then choose “Microsoft Store”.
2. Go to the “Applications” tab.
3. Select "Show" at the end of a category row to see more apps.
4. Search for the Zoom app, then select "Get" to download it.

Screen sharing not working in Zoom on an iPad

Try the following through your iPad to get the screen sharing feature to work. After each solution, check if the issue has been resolved.

1. Check your internet connection

The Zoom screen sharing feature takes a lot of bandwidth. Therefore, check the strength of your internet connection. If it's low, try restarting your router to refresh the connection.

2. Check that you have authorized access to your microphone and camera

Allow mic and camera access to Zoom through your iPad to fix the screen sharing issue:

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. Select "Confidentiality".
3. Select "Microphone" and enable the toggle next to Zoom.
4. Go back to “Privacy” to select “Camera”.
5. Enable the switch next to Zoom.

3. Disable Other Apps Accessing Your Camera

Make sure other apps installed on your iPad aren't restricting access to your camera, or Zoom will have problems accessing it. To disable another app's access to the camera:

1. Launch the “Settings” app.
2. Select "Confidentiality".
3. Choose "Camera".
4. Disable the toggle switch next to other apps where it is enabled.

4. Try deleting and then reinstalling the Zoom app

Start over by deleting the Zoom app and deleting all its associated data. Then reinstall the app to install the latest version. To remove Zoom from your iPad:

1. Long press on the Zoom app.
2. Tap "Delete app" in the context menu.
3. Tap "Delete Application" then "Delete" to confirm.

To reinstall Zoom:

1. Launch the “App Store”.
2. Find the Zoom app.
3. Tap the cloud and down arrow icon to install.

Screen sharing not working in Zoom on an iPhone

Try the following tips through your iPhone to fix its screen sharing issues. Check after each tip if the problem is solved.

1. Check your internet connection

Screen sharing in Zoom requires a lot of bandwidth; therefore, make sure your Wi-Fi connection is strong. Otherwise, try to make your signal stronger by restarting your router or modem to refresh the connection.

2. Check that you have authorized access to your microphone and camera

For the screen sharing feature to work, Zoom requires access to your microphone and camera. To allow access through your iPhone:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
   
2. Tap "Privacy".
   
3. Tap "Microphone," then turn on the toggle switch next to Zoom.
   
4. Tap "Privacy" in the top left to go back.
   
5. Choose "Camera".
   
6. Activate the toggle switch next to Zoom.
   

3. Disable Other Apps Accessing Your Camera

Make sure that other apps installed on your iPhone do not have access to your camera. They could cause problems for Zoom to access them. To disable another app's access to the camera:

1. Open "Settings".
   
2. Tap "Privacy".
   
3. Choose "Camera".
   
4. Disable the toggle switch next to other apps where it is enabled.
   

4. Try deleting and then reinstalling the Zoom app

Delete the Zoom app to delete all associated data. Then reinstall it to have the latest version on your iPhone. To remove Zoom from your iPhone:

1. Long press on the Zoom app.
   
2. In the context menu, press "Delete application".
   
3. Now tap "Delete app" and then tap "Delete" to confirm.
   

To reinstall Zoom:

1. Open the “App Store”.
   
2. Locate the Zoom app.
   
3. Tap the cloud and down arrow icon to install.
   

Screen sharing not working in Zoom on Android device

To fix your Zoom screen sharing problem, try the following through your Android device. Test again after each patch to see if the issue is resolved.

1. Check your internet connection

The screen sharing feature works well with a strong internet connection as it requires a lot of bandwidth. Make sure your Android Wi-Fi connection is strong. If it's low, try restarting your router or modem to reestablish a connection.

2. Check that you have authorized access to your microphone and camera

Zoom also requires access to your microphone and camera to share the screen. To allow access through your Android device:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
   
2. Choose “Apps and notifications”.
   
3. Find and tap "Zoom", then tap "Permissions".
   
4. Choose "Microphone and "Camera" permissions to allow access to Zoom.
   

3. Disable Other Apps Accessing Your Camera

If other apps installed on your Android device have access to your camera, Zoom will have problems accessing the camera. To disable camera access for other apps:

1. Open “Settings” and tap on “Application”.
   
2. Select an app, then from the "App Info" screen, tap "Permissions."
   
3. Make sure the camera permission is disabled.
   
4. Check the permissions for your other apps.

4. Try deleting and then reinstalling the Zoom app

You can try to remove the app and all associated data by deleting it. Then, by reinstalling it, you will have the latest version of the application. To remove the app via your Android device:

1. Long press on the Zoom app.
   
2. You should feel your phone vibrate once. You will now have access to move the application around the screen.
3. Move the app to "Uninstall" at the top of the screen.
   
4. When it turns red, release the app to remove it.
   

To reinstall Zoom:

1. Tap the Google Play app for the Zoom app.
   
2. Tap "Install" to install Zoom on your device.
   

Screen Sharing on Zoom – Solved!

Video conferencing apps like Zoom are growing in popularity as more and more of us use them to work from different locations or to keep in touch with loved ones.

Zoom's screen sharing feature is ideal for presentations or technical support. However, screen sharing sometimes fails.

Fortunately, troubleshooting tips like deleting and reinstalling the app or ensuring that only Zoom has access to the camera can fix the problem.

What do you think of Zoom in general? Do you use other video conferencing tools? If so, how do they compare to Zoom? Share your opinions in the comments section below.