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caffeinatedbots
Explorer
Aug 25, 2021 11:25 PM UTC
Question

Virtual background is still loading

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? 

      65 replies

      Explorer
      caffeinatedbotsAuthor
      Explorer
      Aug 30, 2021 4:33 PM UTC

      This issue is still persisting. Any ideas @51 ?

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        Newcomer
        ppeters
        Newcomer
        Nov 19, 2021 1:12 AM UTC

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

         

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          Newcomer
          TriFit
          Newcomer
          Sep 2, 2021 1:36 PM UTC

          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!

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            Newcomer
            dlcarraw
            Newcomer
            Sep 7, 2021 1:03 PM UTC

            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.

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              Newcomer
              zippity
              Newcomer
              Sep 13, 2021 9:42 PM UTC

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

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                Explorer
                caffeinatedbotsAuthor
                Explorer
                Sep 13, 2021 11:43 PM UTC

                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).

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                  Newcomer
                  zippity
                  Newcomer
                  Sep 14, 2021 12:39 AM UTC

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

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                    Newcomer
                    mojgan
                    Newcomer
                    Sep 14, 2021 12:04 AM UTC

                    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. 

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                      Newcomer
                      sjsouza
                      Newcomer
                      Sep 15, 2021 11:27 PM UTC

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

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                        Newcomer
                        sjsouza
                        Newcomer
                        Sep 30, 2021 12:22 PM UTC

                        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.

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                        Explorer
                        bradfountain
                        Explorer
                        Sep 24, 2021 4:37 PM UTC

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

                         

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                          Explorer
                          caffeinatedbotsAuthor
                          Explorer
                          Sep 24, 2021 4:45 PM UTC

                          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.

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                            Newcomer
                            wolfgangley
                            Newcomer
                            Sep 29, 2021 9:18 AM UTC

                            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.

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                              Newcomer
                              PerR
                              Newcomer
                              Sep 30, 2021 8:45 AM UTC

                              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. 

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