Zoom Keeps Crashing or Freezing
Workaround available Windows, macOS Updated October 21, 2026
Quick answer
Zoom crashes or freezes mostly from outdated versions, OS updates (macOS Tahoe caused crashes in late 2025, fixed in Zoom 6.6.10), hardware acceleration bugs or an overloaded computer. Update Zoom, toggle hardware acceleration and lighten the load.
Most likely fix: Update the Zoom app.
Symptoms
Zoom quits on launch, freezes mid-meeting, video locks up or audio turns choppy, sometimes only during screen share.
Why it happens
- Zoom version incompatible with a new OS release (e.g. macOS Tahoe 26)
- Hardware acceleration / video rendering bugs
- Too many heavy apps running; low RAM/CPU
- Camera driver issues on Windows
- Corrupted installation
How to fix it
Try these in order — the most common fix is first.
1. Update the Zoom app
- Open the Zoom desktop app
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner
- Select Check for Updates and install the latest version
- Restart Zoom
2. Turn off hardware acceleration
- Settings > Video > Advanced
- Uncheck hardware acceleration options and restart Zoom
3. Reduce load
- Close browsers with many tabs, game launchers and editors
- Turn off HD video and 'Touch up my appearance'
4. Change video rendering (Windows)
- Settings > Video > Advanced > Video rendering method
- Try Direct3D11 or Direct3D9 instead of Auto
5. Roll back the camera driver (Windows)
- Device Manager > Cameras > your camera > Driver > Roll Back Driver
6. Reinstall Zoom
- Uninstall, restart, install the latest build from zoom.us/download
This guide also covers
- zoom keeps crashing
- zoom freezing
- zoom crashes on mac
- zoom crashing macos tahoe
Still not working?
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Other Zoom errors
- Zoom Error Code 5003 (Unable to Connect)
- Zoom Error Code 10004
- Zoom Error Code 1132
- Zoom Error Code 3113
- Zoom Invalid Meeting ID
- Zoom Camera Not Working (Cannot Start Video)
- Zoom Audio Not Working (Others Can't Hear Me)
- Zoom 'Your Internet Connection Is Unstable'
- Zoom Screen Share Not Working (Black Screen on Mac)
- Zoom Virtual Background Not Working
- Zoom Echo or Audio Feedback in Meeting