Screen sharing is not working

If screen sharing is disabled or not working during a meeting, there are several things you can check to fix this issue. This article will guide you on how to configure the settings properly and provide you with some general troubleshooting steps to solve the problem.

If you are able to screen share but you encounter a black screen, learn how to fix a black screen during screen share.

Requirements for troubleshooting screen sharing issues

• Zoom desktop client for Windows, macOS, or Linux: Global minimum version or higher
• Zoom mobile app for Android or iOS: Global minimum version or higher

How to troubleshoot screen sharing issues

Make sure screen sharing feature is enabled

If you are a host and the screen sharing setting is grayed out in the web portal Settings page, it has been locked at either the group or account level. You need to contact your Zoom admin for assistance to enable it. Learn more about enabling the screen sharing feature in Zoom meetings.

If you are able to share your screen but screen sharing pauses as soon as guests join the meeting, and you see this error You are restricted from screen sharing in this meeting, ensure that the Disable screen sharing when guests are in the meeting setting in the web portal Settings page is disabled.

Allow screen sharing for participants during a meeting

Once the screen sharing feature is enabled, you are now able to limit screen sharing to just yourself or to meeting participants. If participants can't share their screen or the Share Screen option is missing, make sure that screen sharing for participants is enabled. Learn more about enabling screen sharing for participants in Zoom meetings.

Change default screen sharing permissions

The default permissions for screen sharing can also be adjusted through the Settings page in the web portal. Changing these settings will change the default behavior for meetings you host.

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. In the navigation panel, click Settings and then select the Meetings tab.
3. In the In Meeting (Basic) section under Screen sharing you can enable the following options:
   • How many participants can share at the same time? - Allows the host to pre-set this option before the meeting or webinar starts. Choose from One participant at a time or Multiple participants can share simultaneously.
     Note: This option affects both meetings and webinars.
     • All screens mode: Allows the host to request all participants share their screen to present the host with a scrollable side-by-side view of the participants and their shared desktop(s). 
       Note: All screens mode requires version 5.17.10 or higher and Multiple participants can share simultaneously must be selected above. 
      
   • Who can share? - Set the default of who can share in a meeting: Host Only or All Participants.
   • Who can start sharing when someone else is sharing? - Set the default of who can interrupt someone's sharing in a meeting: Host Only or All Participants.
    
4. (Optional) Adjust other screen sharing settings:
   • Disable desktop screen sharing for meetings you host - Users can only share selected applications and files.
   • Disable screen sharing when guests are in the meeting - Guests include users who are not signed in or not in the same account.
    

Note: Changes in the web portal settings will be applied to all future meetings by default.

General troubleshooting for screen sharing

• Review your app version and then upgrade as necessary.
• Clear cache and cookies from the settings (if using the web client)
• Restart your device or browser.
• Uninstall the app, then download and reinstall it.
• For macOS version 10.15 Catalina and higher, check your device’s privacy settings and make sure that Zoom has permission for screen recording.

If you are still having issues after following these troubleshooting steps, submit a request to Zoom Support for advanced troubleshooting.