One possible reason for your screen being black when sharing a movie on Zoom is due to the graphics card in your computer having automatic graphics switching. This is particularly common with Nvidia graphics cards.
Automatic graphics switching is a feature that allows your computer to switch between the integrated graphics processor (typically found on the CPU) and the dedicated graphics card (such as an Nvidia card) depending on the workload. The integrated graphics are usually less powerful but consume less power, while the dedicated graphics card offers better performance but consumes more power.
When you share a movie on Zoom, the application may trigger the automatic graphics switching feature, causing the computer to switch to the integrated graphics. However, the integrated graphics may not be capable of handling the video rendering and encoding required for screen sharing, resulting in a black screen being displayed to the participants.
To address this issue, there are a few steps you can try:
1. Update your graphics card drivers: Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card. Manufacturers often release driver updates that address compatibility issues and improve performance.
2. Adjust graphics card settings: Some graphics card control panels allow you to specify which GPU should be used for specific applications. You can try setting Zoom to use the dedicated graphics card instead of automatic switching.
3. Disable automatic graphics switching: In some cases, you may have the option to disable automatic graphics switching altogether. This will force your computer to always use the dedicated graphics card, but keep in mind that it may consume more power.
4. Use a different screen sharing method: If you’re still experiencing the black screen issue, you can try using alternative screen sharing methods. For example, you could use a media player with built-in screen sharing capabilities, or upload the movie file to a cloud storage service and share the link with participants.
5. Consult with technical support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be helpful to reach out to technical support for your graphics card manufacturer or Zoom. They may have specific recommendations or solutions tailored to your setup.
The black screen issue during movie sharing on Zoom can be attributed to the automatic graphics switching feature found in some graphics cards. By updating drivers, adjusting settings, disabling automatic switching, or exploring alternative screen sharing methods, you can potentially resolve this issue.