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Newcomer
August 25, 2021
Question

Virtual background is still loading

  • August 25, 2021
  • 39 replies
  • 247 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

    Newcomer
    August 30, 2021

    This issue is still persisting. Any ideas @51 ?

    Newcomer
    November 19, 2021

    Me as well, it fixed for a moment....then started again.

     

    Newcomer
    September 2, 2021

    I am having this exact same issue now. I may have accidently tried to use a video as a background. But the system is frozen. Any help out there? I am the host of a meeting that was supposed to begin 30 minutes ago!

    Newcomer
    September 7, 2021

    I have the same error message.

    macOS Catalina 10.15.7. Zoom version is 5.7.3 (809).

    I have the Blur background selected but have also seen this on custom backgrounds.

    When I choose "use video" Zoom starts without a virtual background, but after a couple minutes the virtual background comes up.

    Newcomer
    September 13, 2021

    Same problem, really annoying.  Virtual background never comes up, even after > 60 min meeting.

    Newcomer
    September 13, 2021

    I was able to resolve the issue by uninstalling and reinstalling Zoom. I lost all preferences, saved virtual backgrounds, etc. but at least the virtual backgrounds work at all. It is a hassle, but at least a solution exists (for me, ymmv).

    Newcomer
    September 14, 2021

    Sadly, uninstalling and reinstalling didn't work for me... will retry again.

    Newcomer
    September 14, 2021

    Same issue for me out of the blue as of a couple of weeks ago.

    MacOS Catalina v 10.15.7

    Zoom v5.7.6

    My video won't turn on at all and I get the same error message. Nothing helps. 

    Newcomer
    September 15, 2021

    Same issue here.  I have tried removing it multiple times.  Same exact problem.  Macbook Pro, 11.5.2, zoom 5.7.6

    Newcomer
    September 30, 2021

    I finally got this working again.  I removed it, and added it about four times and eventually it worked.  I have no idea what the problem was, it just started working again.

    Newcomer
    September 24, 2021

    I have just started to experience the same issue and have unistalled and reinstalled multiple times without resolving the issue.

     

    Newcomer
    September 24, 2021

    Sorry that that didn't work for you. It worked for me (and is still working), but I am going to change this from "solved" to unresolved in case Zoom will start paying attention for you.

    Newcomer
    September 29, 2021

    Same problem still exists with Zoom for Mac version 5.8.0

    Using the Macbook builtin camera is not a problem and the issue only shows up when trying to use an external USB camera. The error message seems to be misleading as this has nothing to do with the virtual background, i.e. turning off the background won't solve the issue either. Note that the external USB camera is working find from within the settings section inside Zoom but fails inside meetings.

    Newcomer
    September 30, 2021

    I have the same problem with MacOS 11.6, Zoom 5.8.0 (1780) and surprisingly Powerpoint 1653. Every time she I use zoom after having started PPT in presentation mode, this message appears in zoom and the camera is not started. Neiter the embedded MacBook Pro camera, nor the Thurderbolt display camera works.