Zoom Camera Problem

[piggynose]

I tried to use zoom today, but for some strange reason only 1/2 the screen was showing, the other 1/2 was dark as if it was covered. Theres nothing obscuring the camera. So what could it be? TIA.

[Buenchico]

Have you entered Side-by-side mode without realising?
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004802843-Side-by-side-Mode-for-screen-sharing

[Zacs-Master]

What sort of camera?

[piggynose]

chris, side by side mode, so if thats the case, how do i get out of it?

[Mamyalynne]

Shows you how to exit it in the link above.

[piggynose]

thanx lynn.
Now can i check the screen when i´m not zooming? as it looks like i cant.

[Mamyalynne]

Not sure, reading that the view options are there when you are sharing.

That's all I know.

[piggynose]

lynn, i'm using the zoom chat now, I hope they can resolve it.

[piggynose]

well its looking like a trip to the computer shop, as the zoom screen has gone totally black, and the zoom chat werent a lot of good.

[Buenchico]

. . . or just stop using Zoom and video call your friends and relatives using the 'Meet Now' button at the bottom right of your screen in Windows 10. (It uses Skype but, if you're using a compatible web browser, such as Chrome, you don't even need to have Skype installed).

If you simply want to check that your webcam is working, click here:
https://webcamtests.com/check
If you see an image when you run the test, you'll know that your computer and camera are working fine. So it must be a problem with the Zoom software. (You could try uninstalling, and then reinstalling it).

[piggynose]

I'm doing a webcam check now. thanx chris

[piggynose]

any idea how long the webcam test will take?

[Buenchico]

It should only take a few seconds at the "detecting your webcam" stage. Then a 'Check my webcam' button should appear.

Then, once you've clicked on that, it should just take a second or two for the picture to be shown.

[piggynose]

few seconds, its taking longer than that.

[piggynose]

the results say my room is too dark. which is strange as it fairly well lit. It also says make sure the LED lights shine brightly?

[Buenchico]

Assuming that you're looking into the camera, is your face brightly lit? Being in a well-lit room won't help much if the source of the light is behind you.

[piggynose]

chris, my light is where most lights are positioned, on the ceiling.

[piggynose]

Anyway it shouldn't matter whether my lights are bright or not, the zoom and my camera were working very well, now theyre not.
I assume something inside the laptop might need changing, maybe a bulb. Its ironic because my lenovo which cost me 300 euros hasnt never let me down, this laptop my wife gave me is from her employer and would´ve retailed at around 900euros+
we both have had the laptops for the same amount of time, about 8-9 months.