Zoom is one of the widely used video conferencing applications, and we have seen an escalated use of this application since the pandemic hit the globe. It continues to be one of the most preferred platforms for video conferencing and more. However, this application is not free from errors, and users have been complaining about tons of bugs.
Why is my Zoom video black screen appearing while sharing? Mostly, Windows 10 users have reported this issue. You might encounter a fully black screen or frequently Zoom crashing due to incompatibility and temporary glitches. If you are experiencing such an instance, then follow this guide to get a reliable solution.
So, let’s get started.
1. Reboot the Computer
Since Windows users are facing the problem mostly, that’s why we have created this guide for PC users. Why is my Zoom video black screen? Well, this might be a temporary glitch and you can overcome this by restarting your computer.
You can click the Windows button and choose the Restart option from the available Power options. On the other hand, you can access the Context menu with the Windows+X key shortcut.
Hit the Restart option to give your PC a quick reboot. Try sharing a screen on Zoom once you have restarted your PC, and check if it works.
2. Try Updating the Graphics Driver
Compatibility plays a great factor in supporting applications. You might come across a black screen on your PC while using Zoom due to a graphics mismatch. Your PC might have an outdated version of the graphics driver, and that’s why Zoom might be showing a black screen.
To solve the problem, you must give the driver update a try:
- Click the Start menu on your Windows computer. Start typing ‘Device Manager’ and choose Device Manager from the search results for the best match.
- Once you are in the Device Manager window, click on the Display Adapters option. The option will expand, and you can see all the available display adapters.
- Select the one you’re currently using. Right-click on it and select the ‘Update driver’ option.
- Next, go for the automatic search option, and the computer will start searching for compatible updates for the display adapter driver.
- Otherwise, you can manually download and save the adapter’s latest driver version from its official website. Then, you can browse your PC to install the latest update.
After your Windows computer finishes installing the latest driver update, you can reboot the device. Launch Zoom and place a call to check if the black screen still returns.
3. Modify Screen Resolution
Why is my Zoom video black screen still appearing on the PC screen? Well, inappropriate screen resolution might be the answer. You can find out whether the existing screen resolution settings are improper for your PC and change it likewise.
Here’s what you have to follow:
- Right-click on your desktop wallpaper. Make sure that you don’t right-click on any app, icon or Taskbar.
- Select Display Settings from the menu and navigate to the Display Resolution section.
- Click the drop-down menu of Display Resolution.
- Next, choose the suitable screen resolution from the settings.
Log into Zoom and see if you have fixed the black screen issue.
4. Disable Automatic GPU Switching
Does your computer have dual graphics cards? Then, turning on the automatic GPU switching might not always be helpful. Turn off this feature if you have witnessed a black screen during Zoom calls.
Go through the steps given below:
- Navigate to the Control Panel. Just search for the Control Panel using the search box and click on the most suitable search result.
- Next, you must click the “View by” option and change it to Large Icons. Look for the NVIDIA Control Panel and click on it.
- Afterwards, choose Manage 3D Settings under 3D Settings from the left panel.
- Then, click the Program Settings tab. Click the Add option residing below the ‘Select a program to customise’ option.
- Find and add Zoom’s CPThost application. You need to click the Add option followed by the Browse one. Go to the directory and navigate the following path: AppData > Roaming > Zoom > Bin.
- Choose the Cpthost application and select Open.
- After that, you have to select the integrated graphics and save all the changes made so far.
Exit the window and relaunch Zoom. Start sharing your screen with someone to check if the problem is solved.
5. Update the Zoom Application
Another reason behind the Zoom black screen is the incompatibility of the Zoom application. Perhaps, your computer has an older version installed on it. Therefore, open the Zoom app and go to the thumbnail of your profile picture.
After that, hit the ‘Check for updates’ option. A prompt will appear if updates are available, and you have to confirm it by hitting the Update button. The application will restart automatically once the update is over.
6. Update Windows
Running your PC with an outdated OS version is not a smart move. Why is my Zoom video black screen popping up? Windows incompatibility might be the reason. Head towards Settings on your system.
Click on the Update & Security option and click the ‘Check for updates’ option. The PC might start downloading the updates if available. Next, you must hit the Restart Now button once your PC prompts. Check if the issue is still there after your PC restarts.
7. Enable High-Performance Mode
If you are still struggling with the Zoom black screen, here’s what you can try. Run the PC on high-performance mode and see if this resolves the black screen trouble. It’s recommended to keep your PC in high-performance mode while using Zoom.
Go through the guidelines below:
- Plug the PC charger into your device.
- Click the battery icon from the Taskbar.
- Drag the slider to Best Performance rather than anything else.
This might help you with attending Zoom calls without interruption. However, this will drain your PC’s battery faster. Therefore, keep your PC charger plugged in when you opt for this hack.
8. Disable Hardware Acceleration
Hardware acceleration is not suitable for every graphics card, especially when the graphics card is weak. That’s why you should keep hardware acceleration disabled to keep distractions away.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Launch the Zoom application and navigate to Settings.
- Click Share Screen and select the Advanced option.
- Uncheck the box next to hardware acceleration or a similar option.
This should optimise your screen-sharing experience on Zoom.
9. Leave Full-Screen Mode
Why is my Zoom video black screen not going away? The full-screen mode might be the reason. Tweak this simple configuration and check if it helps:
- Open the Zoom application and click Settings.
- Enter the General section and uncheck the box right next to the Full-screen mode while joining a call.
What if Nothing Works?
Try closing background programs, such as Google Chrome or other browsers, while launching Zoom. Why is my Zoom video black screen still now? Perhaps, the application is corrupted, and only reinstallation can help.
Uninstall the application from the Control Panel and install it again from a trusted source. It’s better to install the application from Microsoft Store. Hopefully, the guide helped eradicate the black screen on Zoom while attending meetings or calls.
