zoom timer app not working on my mac

[RosannavS]

The zoom timer app is not working on my mac. It comes on when I start a meeting, but once my mouse moves off the app, aAll I get is a black screen. I can't change the time duration, I can see anything, and the display on my video does not change. The OS is 10.14.6 (Mojave).

[jdott16]

Hello @RosannavS 

It's not clear where this issue may be occurring, could you share a generic screenshot of the issue so this can be further investigated?

Thank you,
Jake

[RosannavS]

This is all I get after I move my mouse away, even though I started the count down and the display timer is not showing anywhere on my screen.

[jdott16]

Hello,

As it appears nothing is showing, it could be a firewall issue, or something else entirely. I would recommend reviewing this support article: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0068677

If that does not have a resolution for you, then I think that the next option would be to reach out to Zoom Support for further analysis and investigation. You can find out more on reaching support here: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/contact?id=contact_us. 

I hope this helps and please make sure to mark the solution as accepted if this information is what you needed.

Thank you,

Jake

[GarM]

The Black screen on the timer only happened since I updated to the latest Zoom upgrade. I am running Big Sur. Is there anyway to get a previous version?

[jennifer25]

Good question! Please let us know what you find out.

[RebeccaBee]

Could this timer issue be due to having an outdated version of macOS? Do you know what version of macOS is the oldest, supported version for Zoom to work properly? Thanks so much!

[jennifer25]

Hi Jake -- I am responding because I'm having the same issue as RosannavS. I have tried the steps you mention above and still not managed to resolve the issue.

[knicknamej]

This is exactly what happens with me. I have updated the computer and the latest version of Zoom. Zoom needs to address this as it is very prevalent. My wife's Mac experiences this as well.

[sunshinediamond]

Since Zoom was updated, I have had the same problem. It only happens on the Mac. I have a Windows OS laptop, and the Timer app works fine.

[jennifer25]

That's interesting. I only have a Mac, so I've been having the problem.

[jennifer25]

That's what I get too. The little timer icon pops up for a nanosecond and then this black screen.

[RosannavS]

Once I moved my mouse away from the timer, even though I've started the count down, this is all I see (see attached photo). The display clock is no where to be seen on my screen.

[jennifer25]

Exact same problem for me.

[RosannavS]

It seems like such a simple thing to do. I submitted a ticket, hopefully Zoom Support can help.

[jennifer25]

I submitted a ticket to zoom support too. They were not able to help.

[SherryC]

Did you have any luck? I'm having a similar problem only I can't even set the timer to begin with. It just goes to black after I open the app.

[RebeccaBee]

I am a free user (so cannot submit a web ticket) and as of yesterday, I just started having this same issue as well. Timer used to work great, then all of the sudden I only get a black screen. I am running macOS 10.15 Catalina.

[garystockdale]

Same for me for the past couple of weeks. I tried to reinstall the Timer app but it still does not work.

[Gary6678]

I'm getting exactly the same issue on just one MacBook Pro, all other Mac's and PC's work fine?

[SherryC]

Please share if you find a solution. I did everything I could think of yesterday to no avail.

[RosannavS]

Sorry folks, all Zoom support asked me to do were the normal reboot, restart, reinstall, which I did but to no avail. All they could say was it was incompatible with my mac or OS, not very helpful, especially it's not just me. It seems it affects more than a few people. I was hoping they would be able to resolve, but no.

[SherryC]

Thanks for letting me know. I don't believe what they're telling you because it worked on my Macbook until one day it didn't. So it was compatible, but now it's not which doesn't make any sense. I will try the things you tried though. Thanks again!

[JudyS2]

I'm on a Macbook Air with an older operating system (my recent attempt to upgrade the OS failed) and the same thing is happening for me. The timer worked perfectly till a few weeks ago but not any more. It just goes to a black screen. So something has changed. I was thinking it might have to do with my browser (Chrome) but whatever it is, there's an incompatibility issue and clearly something that was introduced by an edit made by Zoom since I and the rest of the people posting here didn't have the problem until recently. Surprising that the Zoom help folks aren't admitting it and seem to be saying they're not aware of the problem and, therefore, not interested in fixing it. 😞

[RebeccaBee]

The Zoom Timer app no longer works for me as of yesterday. I have never had trouble with it before. I have uninstalled and reinstalled both the Zoom app and the Timer app within Zoom, and restarted my computer. The problem remains. When I open the app, the Timer logo flashes briefly and then I get a black screen instead of the timer. I am running macOS Catalina 10.15.7

I hope someone can help us with this, thanks!

[jblawhon]

Same problem here. MacBook Air. Have been using the timer with my paid Zoom subscription for the past three years with no problems. Today, I get the black screen. I did submit a ticket so hopefully Zoom will get this sorted out. 

[RebeccaBee]

I would love to hear if they find a solution for you! Please do come back and reply here for the free users since we can't submit tickets, if you are willing and able. Thank you so much!

[RosannavS]

See my reply shared on Nov. 18. No resolution.

[Hieronymous]

Clearly a general problem. Happened to me too on 12.7 Monterey. Just a black screen below the title TIMER. Oddly I could share it so the OTHER person could use the timer.

[SherryC]

I am running macOS Monterey 12.7.6 with the same problem. Several other Mac users on a regular Zoom meeting I attend are having this issue as well. I've deleted Zoom and reinstalled with no effect. I've tried signing on via Safari and Chrome, same problem. I also have a free account with no ability to submit a ticket, but I am going to see what Zoom's social media profiles allow. Just trying to get some attention to this problem somehow.

[SherryC]

In a FB chat, Zoom shared this link to try: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0068677&fbclid=IwY2xjawHNGVBleHRuA... 

I haven't done it yet, but I'll let you all know what happens when I do.

[jennifer25]

I've tried the guidance on that link. It hasn't solved the problem for me.

[jblawhon]

Received this from Zoom support. Have not had the time to try yet...

2024-11-20 21:38:33 PST - Arianne Ashley Maningas (C)Additional comments

Hello Ben,

This is Arianne from Zoom Support! I understand your concern about the Zoom Timer app that is not working when being used within the meeting. I'm sorry to know that you're having this kind of issue. Rest assured that we will have this resolved as soon as possible. 

We appreciate your initiative to start troubleshooting on your end. In addition to reinstalling the app, please perform the clean installation to ensure that old data will be removed from the app.

For a clean uninstall, you can also remove entries in the Keychain.

In addition to removing configuration files and local app settings, you can also remove cryptographic keys, which will cause you to lose the ability to decrypt end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) emails in Zoom Mail and Zoom Phone voicemails with Advanced Encryption, unless you have a backup key with sufficient access or account escrow enabled.

Be aware of the likely permanent loss of E2EE encrypted Zoom Mail emails and encrypted Zoom Phone voicemails before using this uninstaller, and potentially use the standard uninstall method if you intend to reinstall Zoom on the same device.

1. Open the Zoom desktop app.
2. Select zoom.us or Zoom Workplace (6.0.0 and higher) at the top of your screen and select Uninstall Zoom.
3. Select OK to confirm uninstalling the Zoom desktop application and all of its components.
4. Enter Cmd+Space on keyboard to open Spotlight Search.
5. Enter Keychain Access.app, select the app from the dropdown, and press Enter to open Keychain Access.
6. If a prompt appears, select Keychain Access.
7. In the search box, type Zoom Safe to filter for all entries with names starting with “Zoom Safe”.
8. Remove all these entries.

Once completed, download the latest Zoom app from our Download Center and reinstall.

Article reference: https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0065146

If the problem persists, please try using another device to see if you'll experience the same behavior.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to reply to this email or submit a new support ticket at https://support.zoom.us.

Regards,
Arianne

[RebeccaBee]

Thanks so much for this! I will try this over the weekend and see if it works.

[RebeccaBee]

Thanks for this! I just did all of that just now and it didn't work! I even used AppCleaner for Mac to remove all the .plist files, etc. Would be interested to see if it works for anyone else.

[IanAndJudy]

This reply is to Arianne and anybody else in Zoom customer support who is paying attention. There are HUNDREDS of Mac users waiting for help with this issue and we are not all able to update our operating system or spend hours trying to reconfigure our computers. If there is some reason why the updgraded timer is so much better than the old version that it's worth it to people with the newest operating systems to use it, fine, but PLEASE make it optional so that those of us who can't take advantage of whatever wonderful new features you introduced this fall can reload the older, perfectly satisfactory timer. It is VERY frustrating not to have that feature when we had come to count on it.

[garystockdale]

I certainly hope Zoom is listening, and they have a little consideration for those of us who are using computers that are not on the most recent system

[SherryC]

I don't think Zoom is paying attention to this thread. The message from Ariane was forwarded from a user who contacted Zoom support directly. I don't have a paid account, so I have no way of communicating with them directly although I did message them on FB. Their responses weren't helpful though. Just the usual rebooting and upgrading which aren't options or aren't helping for many. 

[jennifer25]

Ack! Yes, please! I have been going around and around trying to get the old simple timer to work. I had a very frustrating text support experience and I have been doing everything I can to figure out how to restore the old Timer. I have gotten so frustrated that I have begun researching alternatives to Zoom (even though I've been a paying customer for years.) Zoom support, are you listening? Please help!

[jblawhon]

Thanks for trying it. I honestly didn't think it would work (I have NEVER used Zoom email or voicemail nor do I intend to). Hopefully Zoom will get enough feedback about this issue that they'll get it sorted out.