MacBook Pro video output freezes during Zoom meetings

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Level 1

14 points

MacBook Pro video output freezes during Zoom meetings

Hi! A few months ago, during Zoom meetings on my MacBook Pro 13in M1 2020, my video output started to freeze for a few seconds. It most often occurs after I've been in the meeting for at least 15-20 minutes. Everyone can still hear me fine, there is no issue with audio. None of the other participants' videos freeze for me, just my video for them (and I can see that I freeze). I am plugged into an ethernet cable and speed tests show strong upload and download speeds. Ran a bufferbloat test and got an A grade. I am up to date on OS. I uninstalled and reinstalled Zoom. Checked Zoom’s connection stats and packet loss was 0% and jitter was low, so the network was clean. I switched to an external webcam and no improvement. I took a Zoom call on a pc laptop with the same connection and had no issues. Any suggestions? Thank you!

MacBook Pro 13″

Posted on Oct 27, 2026 8:21 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

woffordab Author

Level 1

14 points

Oct 30, 2026 11:48 AM in response to TheLittles

Amazing--I created a new user and do not have any issues when I use the new user profile. Should I just abandon my old user profile or is there some way to figure out what difference is causing zoom to freeze? Thank you!

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Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

211,175 points

Oct 30, 2026 7:02 PM in response to woffordab

"Amazing--I created a new user and do not have any issues when I use the new user profile. Should I just abandon my old user profile or is there some way to figure out what difference is causing zoom to freeze? Thank you!"

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Keep this Other User:

I wouldn't delete the user profile, as all would be gone, and you'll have to backup your Mac, and the perform the entire transfer (which can be a huge hassle in the long-run). But, rather I'd remove Zoom, and then reinstall it, but this time in Safe Mode. So, boot into Safe Mode, and see if that does away with this. In Save Mode, Login Items do not open at login, and certain caches are replaced and are put aside.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

211,175 points

Oct 27, 2026 8:37 PM in response to woffordab

"MacBook Pro video output freezes during Zoom meetings"

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Troubleshooting Stalling Zoom on a Mac:

A. Use a Streaming Router:

Essentially, you are streaming here (audio and video). So, be certain your router is intended for this. Look up the model number, and see that your router is made for streaming.

B. Single-Out this User:

For troubleshooting purposes, create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac (for restoration purposes), and then create a second Administrator user. Log into it, seeing if you get the same issue. If not, then it is an issue with your current user. If so, then it is issue with the entire macOS.

C. Turn Off VPNs:

Do you have any VPNs Turned On? If so, delete them, if not required for school or work.

D. Use Ethernet:

Connect your Mac to your router using Ethernet. You may need an adapter, such as this one: Belkin USB-C to 2.5Gb Ethernet Adapter - Apple

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