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caffeinatedbots
Newcomer
August 25, 2021
Question

Virtual background is still loading

  • August 25, 2021
  • 39 replies
  • 250 views

I have been using virtual backgrounds without issue since March 2020, but in recent weeks I have sporadic issues with Zoom failing to work with any virtual backgrounds. When I turn on the camera, the feed stays black until a pop-up comes up saying that the virtual background is still loading and asking me to start video anyway or stop. I can not ever get the background to work.  Unplugging and reconnecting the webcam, changing ports on the dock, restarting Zoom don't work. Using the mic on the webcam never suffers any issues and works even when the feed is black while Zoom is apparently attempting to load the virtual background.  Once I click on "Use video" button and ignore the virtual background, the camera works without issue though obviously without the virtual background.

 

Setup is USB Logitech webcam attached via VAVA USB-C dock on 2019 Macbook Pro running macOS Big Sur 11.4. Zoom version is 5.7.6. 

 

Has anyone else encountered this or have ideas for fixes or workarounds? 

      39 replies

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      D
      Newcomer
      digiwise
      Newcomer
      January 18, 2024

      I am having the same problem - it just started all of a sudden. i don't have antivirus installed. I am running a mac mini OS Ventura 13.4 - help!

      V
      Newcomer
      VKB
      Newcomer
      March 24, 2024

      Any luck? This just started for me. 

      T
      Newcomer
      tracy3333
      Newcomer
      February 17, 2024

      i found contacting Zoom too confusing so took to my computer repair guy - guess what?  - needed new camera.  Sometimes it is the simpler things to check first.

      D
      Newcomer
      digiwise
      Newcomer
      March 24, 2024

      The only thing that worked for me, was to TURN OFF the Virtual Background.

      V
      Newcomer
      VKB
      Newcomer
      March 24, 2024

      Can you say more about that? I turned backgrounds off in settings and I am still unable to get the video to load.

       

      Note - I have a built in camera and an additional webcam. The webcam works in FaceTime and Google Meet. It does not work on Zoom, as of 3 days ago. I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times. Shut down and restarted my laptop. 

       

      Pretty frustrating to pay for a product that suddenly stops working the way you expect. 

      D
      Newcomer
      digiwise
      Newcomer
      March 24, 2024

      I just don’t use the feature - it sucks but I would rather have my camera working than not at all. 

      M
      Newcomer
      MrsCL
      Newcomer
      November 10, 2024

      I found something that did work but I'll keep testing this and see if the fix continues.  On my Windows laptop I have a key to shut of the camera.

      • With a zoom meeting started, when I selected my video, I would get same message
      • I turned off the camera and new message "No camera detected"
      • I turned it back on and my self video worked

      I tested a few more times and the video was still working so when it goes out again, maybe after a reboot? I'll try this again. 

      M
      Newcomer
      majlipiyush
      Newcomer
      December 9, 2024

      Something similar worked for me so I did the following things:

      1) Turn off the zoom video camera

      2) Go to search and type Manage cameras -> Integrated Camera -> This will open up your webcam. 

      3) Now minimize this window and go back to zoom and turn on the camera. Or try to toggle off and on again. 

       

      This seemed to have worked for me. Let me know if it does for anyone else. 

      M
      Newcomer
      MichaelCh01
      Newcomer
      January 1, 2025

      I changed my PC recently and during my first Zoom session, my video turned on for about a few minutes and then it turned black. I just found out that under Privacy & Security>Camera> you have to enable 'Let apps access your camera'> switch 'Camera' button to ON. If you see Zoom Workplace app > switch that button to ON too.

      K
      Newcomer
      KazukiMaehara
      Newcomer
      February 21, 2025

      Hey, I had the same issue on Mac: macOS 15.3.1 (24D70)

       

      In my case, when I turn on an avatar once and turn off right soon, then my camera worked out properly.

      You can try it but unfortunately it was a temporary measure.

       

      And again, in my case, I happened to find that I can fix this issue with "Video setting".

      I toggled on the HD property (See:  Settings > Video > HD), then it fix the video problem at all.

       

      I hope it will work well with you. 

      B
      Newcomer
      bob3160
      Newcomer
      March 29, 2025

      I have the same problem Need to wait about 30 seconds for the problem to clear but, that's very inconvenient. It makes no difference if the background is an image or a video.  <a href="https://i.imgur.com/bblToei.png">https://i.imgur.com/bblToei.png</a>

      K
      Newcomer
      KM69
      Newcomer
      May 21, 2025

      I had the same issue.  I tried installing Windows updates and restarting and uninstalling and reinstalling Zoom.  None of that worked.  I am using an external USB camera, so contacted the camera manufacturers support.  They asked if I was using a hub or switcher - I am.  When I connected the camera directly to the laptop, the issue went away.  In my case, it seems like the USB port on my hub was going bad (or maybe not getting power).  When I switched the port and made sure all the power cables were connected tight, the issue went away.

      MGSR
      Community Manager
      MGSR
      Community Manager
      May 28, 2025

      Hi @KM69, 

      Welcome to the Zoom Community! We greatly appreciate your contribution.

      Thank you for sharing the solution you had for the issue. 

      Should you need further assistance, please let us know.

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