Sharing video from second camera disables first camera | Community
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Newcomer
May 16, 2023
Question

Sharing video from second camera disables first camera

  • May 16, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 16 views

Hello -

I am a teacher using Windows 10 for Education on a Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop with a built-in webcam. I have also connected a IPEVO V4K document camera. Zoom recognizes both cameras - I can use either one as my primary video feed and both work properly. However, I cannot get the "Share content from second camera" screensharing feature to work correctly. 

 

If I am using the built-in webcam and select "Share content from second camera", the second feed (document cam) is black. If I *turn off* my main video, then select "Share content from second camera", it shares fine. But as long as the screen sharing is active, I am unable to turn my main video back on (so my students can't also see my face and gestures). 

 

The same problem happens if I reverse the sources -- that is, if I make the document camera my primary video, then I cannot screen share from the webcam. But if I turn off the primary feed, I can screenshare from the webcam -- but my main video remains disabled until I end the screenshare.

 

To be more precise, while screensharing from one camera, I cannot turn *the other camera* back on. If I switch the feeds so that both the primary video and the "second camera" are actually the same source, it is able to show that feed both in the screenshare and in the main video box. 

 

Has anybody encountered this or do you have any suggestions? 

    2 replies

    ExpertswhoJohn
    Community Super Champion | Customer
    Community Super Champion | Customer
    January 30, 2026

    Hi ​@JH_CUA ,

     

    You are right, this should be possible. Never seen that issue
    So, can you plug the external camera to a differnet USB port?

    From how you describe, you know you can cyccle through the cameras?
     

    Please like my reply if it helps you.

    John Drinkwater
    Zoom Community Super Champion.


    Zoom Runs many events, live and prerecorded to showcase features
    https://ev.zoom.com/

    I run many events and upload most on my channel.
    https://www.youtube.com/@boomwithlordzoom

    Newcomer
    January 30, 2026

    This behavior usually points to a camera driver or USB bandwidth limitation on Windows 10. Some document cameras reserve exclusive access when used for sharing, which prevents Zoom from re-activating the other camera at the same time.