Video conferencing and virtual meeting apps like Zoom have become essential to our daily lives.
They facilitate virtual meetings, long-distance learning, and even casual hangouts with friends.
If you use Zoom regularly, professionally, or casually, you may notice it’s sometimes blurry.
Blurry means the picture quality isn’t as crisp as expected, or grainy particles appear on your video.
Knowing why Zoom could be blurry can help you fix it and improve the quality of your video. Let us explain.
The main reason your Zoom video is blurry is a poor internet connection. An unstable internet connection interferes with the signal and the video uploading process making it grainy. Another common reason for a blurry Zoom video is a dirty camera lens. After some time, dirt clogs the camera lens preventing the output from being clear.
You’re not alone if you’re wondering why your Zoom is blurry. This post will cover several reasons for Zoom’s blurry videos and how to fix them.
Reasons Your Zoom is Blurry
There are several reasons why your Zoom videos are blurry. We’ll cover a few examples and their solutions.
Reason #1: Poor Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is necessary to relay your video via the Zoom app. A poor connection typically interferes with the signal causing the video to be blurry.
If you notice your Zoom is blurry, the first thing to check is your router. Switch it off for about five minutes. After, switch it on and launch Zoom. Check the video to see if it’s clear.
Reason #2: Dirty Camera Lens
It’s common to forget to clean your laptop’s camera lens regularly. But cleaning it with a damp cloth can significantly improve the quality of your Zoom video.
Remember, Zoom relays video feed from your laptop’s camera. If the camera is dirty, the video will be blurry.
Luckily, the solution to this is straightforward. Wipe the camera lens carefully with a damp cloth. After, check to see if the Zoom video quality has improved.
Reason #3: Zoom Video Settings
Even though Zoom’s default settings are enough to stream high-quality videos, you can switch to HD if your videos are blurry.
However, HD-quality Zoom videos require more bandwidth and a stable internet connection. Otherwise, your videos will lag and buffer, affecting your overall experience.
If your internet connection is good, but videos are still blurry, try switching to the Zoom HD option using the following steps:
- Launch Zoom on your PC.
- Click the gear icon at the top-right edge.
- Click on the “Video” tab.
- Tick the “HD” option.
Reason #4: Outdated Camera Drivers
The quality of your laptop’s webcam improves with every installation of the latest drivers.
If your Zoom videos are still blurry after fixing your internet connection and cleaning your camera lens, your laptop’s camera drivers may need to be updated.
If you’re using a Windows laptop, follow these steps to check if your drivers are due for an update:
- Press the Windows and “X“ keys simultaneously.
- Select “Device Manager.”
- Click on “Camera.”
- Click on “Imaging Devices” or Webcam type depending on the on-screen option.
- Right-click the “Webcam” option.
- Check if there’s an “Update driver” option and click on it to update.
Reason #5: Poor Lighting
Poor lighting can also affect the quality of your Zoom video. If it’s too dark, open a window and place the laptop directly facing it.
If opening a window is not an option, use an artificial light source like a ring light.
Avoid placing the light close to or above your laptop, as the light can cause a blinding glare. Instead, place it strategically in a corner where the light can still reach your computer.
Reason #6: Too Many Apps Running in the Background
Too many apps running in the background can cause your Zoom to be blurry. This is because the apps and open tabs are throttling your connection leaving the Zoom app with limited bandwidth to operate on.
Usually, limited bandwidth works similarly to an unstable connection as the app doesn’t have a proper signal to relay the video properly.
The solution, in this case, is to shut down all unnecessary apps and tabs so your Zoom can operate seamlessly.
Reason #7: Your Zoom App Has Accumulated Cache
The cache is data your app stores to load the information you frequently use quickly.
If your Zoom app has accumulated cache, it could be slowing it down and interfering with functions like video, making them blurry.
Luckily, clearing the app cache takes a few simple moves. Here’s how to do it on the Zoom desktop app:
- Launch Zoom on your laptop.
- Click on the settings icon at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Select “Zoom Apps” from the left navigation.
- Click the “Clear” button below the “Zoom Apps Local Apps Data & Cookies.”
Reason #8: Your App is Outdated
Another reason your videos are blurry is that your Zoom app is outdated. Developers regularly update apps to fix bugs and malware interrupting the app’s functions.
If your app is outdated, it’s likely missing essential components, causing some features to malfunction.
If you suspect your Zoom app is outdated, update your Zoom app to the latest version, then reopen the app and see if the video quality has improved.
Summary
As this post notes, there are several reasons your Zoom is blurry.
The most common include an unstable internet connection or a dirty camera lens.
Other reasons include having too many apps running in the background and accumulating cache.
If none of these reasons apply to your case, try updating your camera drivers or adjusting your Zoom video settings.
