Have trouble getting your screen sharing to work with Zoom? There are several things you can try to fix the problem and make sure that screen sharing works properly, including re-installing Zoom, checking your web browser version and settings, and performing any updates.

If you’re not sure what you’re doing or are worried about doing anything that could potentially mess up your computer, check out our step-by-step guide on how to fix Zoom screen sharing not working!

We’ll walk you through the process so you can get back up and running in no time at all.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

The strength of your internet connection can have a direct impact on your Zoom meeting. When your connection is not stable enough, you will be experiencing one problem after another, such as these:

  • you can’t successfully share your screen with participants in the meeting
  • you can’t hear when others speak
  • other participants wouldn’t hear when you speak
  • you’ll be disconnected regularly

If your connection is less than 800 kbit/s, then Zoom won’t work effectively. We recommend you find out the strength of your network connection.

You can check your internet strength and speed using any of these two websites:

  1. Fast.com

Simply visit fast.com and run a quick internet speed test. Fast.com will reveal how strong or otherwise your internet speed is – in Megabits per second (Mbps).

How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working

2. Just like fast.com, you can check your internet speed on speedtest.net.

If both websites report that you have a slow or weak internet connection, you troubleshoot this by

  • switching to a Wi-fi connection if you using mobile data
  • briefly turning on the airplane mode and turning it off afterwards
  • switching to an alternative internet service provider

2. Ensure You Have Permission to Share Screen

Your inability to share your screen during a Zoom video conference could also be attributed to the fact that you have not been given permission by the host to do so.

How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working 1

Zoom hosts are able to place this limitation on participants. If this is the reason for you not being able to share the screen, then you may have to inform the host of the meeting.

The Zoom meeting host will either

  • make you a co-host (co-hosts have the same privileges as the host, hence they can share their screens) or
  • allow all participants to share screen
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - host to allow participants to share screen
The host can easily allow participants to share screen

Any of the above methods will make it possible to share your screen and be seen by all participants in the meeting.

3. Exit and Rejoin Zoom Meeting

If you’re trying to share your screen in a Zoom meeting and it’s not working, you should try disconnecting and reconnecting your Zoom.

Simply exit and rejoin the meeting with the steps:

  • At the top right corner, tap on Leave.
  • Confirm by tapping on the Leave Meeting.
  • Once you’ve left the meeting, click Join Meeting and enter the ID and passcode for the meeting
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - Leave Meeting
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - Join the meeting again

If your Zoom screen share issue was caused by just a minor glitch, then this should fix the problem.

4. Upgrade Zoom to the Latest Version

Zoom consistently releases new versions, which include the latest features and bug fixes. It’s likely that having an up-to-date version of Zoom can resolve the issue of you not being able to share your screen.

To Update Zoom on Mobile

  1. Go to Google Play Store.
  2. Search for Zoom Cloud Meetings.
  3. Tap on Update to install the latest version
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - Update Zoom - Android

For iOS devices, simply launch the App Store, search for Zoom and update it if there’s an available update.

Alternatively, you can uninstall and re-install the Zoom app, whether using an Android or an iPhone.

To Update Zoom on Windows

Zoom notifies you whenever there’s an update on the desktop version. To check for an update and upgrade it:

  1. Log in to your Zoom Client account on your desktop.
  2. From the top right corner, click on your profile picture.
  3. Select Check for Updates.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - check for updates
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - check for updates
  1. Once there is an available update, Zoom will download the newest version. Click on Install to get the updated version.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - check for updates on Windows

You can also manually download the latest version from their website and install it.

5. Ensure Your Device’s OS is Up-to-Date

Zoom has recommended versions of Operating Systems required to seamlessly share a screen.

Here’s a breakdown of the requisite versions of operating systems

  • Windows: 5.0.0 or higher
  • macOS: 5.0.0 or higher
  • Linux: 5.0.0 or higher
  • Android: 5.0.0 or higher
  • iOS: 5.0.0 or higher

For desktop devices, most if not all meet the minimum requirements stated above.

How about mobile devices?

Well, there’s a likelihood of those versions still in use by others.

It’s ideal to check whether your mobile device has the minimum requisite version. This is because new mobile apps are made with new OS versions in mind.

These new apps are specifically optimised to seamlessly work with the latest versions of Android and iOS.

Hence, check your Android or iOS version to ensure it meets the Zoom screen sharing requirements above.

6. Uninstall and Reinstall the Zoom App

If your Zoom screen sharing is still not working, you should consider re-installing the app.

Sometimes, there might be some minor glitches in the application, which can be resolved when you delete and install new files.

To Uninstall and Re-install Zoom on Windows

  1. Search for Control Panel on the Windows search bar.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from windows
  1. Under the Programs tab, click on Uninstall a Program.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from windows
  1. From the list of programs that appear, select Zoom and then click on Uninstall.
  2. Download Zoom from their download center and install it again.

To Uninstall and Re-Install Zoom on macOS

  1. Launch the zoom client desktop application.
  2. From the top of the screen, click on zoom.us and choose Uninstall Zoom.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from macOS
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from macOS
  1. Confirm the action by clicking on OK.
  2. Download the Zoom client from the Zoom download center and install it.

To Uninstall and Re-Install Zoom on Android

  1. Go to Settings on your phone.
  2. Select App Management and tap on App List.
  3. Locate Zoom and tap on it.
  4. Tap on Uninstall.
  5. Launch the Play Store app, search for Zoom and install it.
  6. Re-launch the Zoom app by opening it from your home screen.

To Uninstall and Re-Install Zoom on iOS

  1. Open Settings and tap General.
  2. Tap on iPad Storage.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from iOS
  1. Tap on Zoom and then proceed to Delete App.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from iOS
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - uninstall zoom from iOS
  1. Confirm the action when prompted.
  2. Go to the iOS App Store and re-install Zoom.

7. Switch to a Different Device

If you’re trying to share your screen on Zoom and it’s not working, you should try switching to a different device.

Sometimes, there can be a conflict between the device you’re using and the software, which can cause problems with screen sharing.

If you have another device that you can use, such as a laptop or tablet, try connecting to Zoom with that device and see if the problem persists.

8. Reduce Frames Per Second

If the screen sharing doesn’t work, try reducing the frame-per-second (FPS) to any value of 10 or below.

Screen sharing at a higher rate might be a bit difficult on lower-end CPUs.

To reduce the FPS on windows

  • You can reduce the frame rate by clicking on the profile icon in the upper right corner of Zoom.
  • Go to Settings and navigate to Share Screen.
  • Click on Advanced.
  • Tick the box “Limit your screen share to.” Type any value equal to or less than 10 and save changes.
How to Fix Zoom Screen Sharing not Working - Reduce frames per second

If you’re experiencing your Zoom screen sharing not working, keeping the frames per second at a minimal value could be a possible fix.

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