Picture this – You are working from home and have a team standup call to attend. You got caught up with household tasks and ran late for the meeting. As you turn on your Mac and open the Cisco Webex app, you realize it is not working. You try reopening the app, but to your terror, it still does not work.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, do not worry. Issues like the camera not working, the mic not working, and being unable to join the meeting are quite common in Cisco Webex. That said, in this guide, I will cover everything you need to know about this issue and also provide you with solutions to fix the Cisco Webex not working on Mac issue. So, without any further ado, let us get started. Shall we?
Contents
- 1 Fix Cisco Webex Not Working on Mac
- 1.1 1. Ensure that you are connected to the Internet
- 1.2 2. Enable Camera and Microphone Permissions for Cisco Webex
- 1.3 3. Use Cisco Webex in the Browser
- 1.4 4. Force Quit Cisco Webex app and Reopen
- 1.5 5. Check Webex’s Status
- 1.6 6. Check and Update Cisco Webex
- 1.7 7. Uninstall and Reinstall Cisco Webex
- 2 Wrapping Up
Fix Cisco Webex Not Working on Mac
You might be wondering why you are facing the Cisco Webex not working on Mac issue, correct? Well, I hope I have provided a simple answer to your question. Although this issue is very common and often fixable easily, it can occur for various reasons.
One possibility is a lack of internet connection. Bugs and glitches within the app and compatibility issues with your current macOS version could also be culprits. Additionally, simultaneously using multiple meeting and video call apps might contribute to the problem.
These are just some of the reasons behind this issue. But you do not have to worry, as in this guide, I will cover all the bases and help you fix the Cisco Webex not working issue once and for all. So, let us skip the small talk and dive right into the solutions.
1. Ensure that you are connected to the Internet
If you are facing the Cisco Webex not working issue on your Mac, it is recommended that you start by checking your internet connection. If the Webex app on your Mac opens but the buttons do not respond, it might be due to a lack of internet connectivity.
You can tell if the internet is the main reason behind this issue when you open the Cisco Webex app on your Mac and see a loading icon with “Catching up…” below the search bar. This indicates that either you are not connected to the internet or the connection is unstable.
Even if you are connected to the internet, the Webex app may still show “Catching up.” To confirm if it is just a Cisco Webex issue, try opening another app on your Mac that requires internet, like a browser or the App Store.
If the other app also does not load, the issue is clearly with your internet connection. However, if other apps work fine on your Mac, the issue is likely specific to the Cisco Webex app. Continue reading to fix the problem.
2. Enable Camera and Microphone Permissions for Cisco Webex
If you can open the Cisco Webex app on your Mac and join a meeting but cannot turn on your camera or microphone during the meeting, it is important to check if you have granted permission for Cisco Webex to access it.
When you initially set up the Cisco Webex app on your Mac, it typically prompts you to allow access to the camera and microphone. However, if you accidentally deny these permissions, your camera and microphone will not work in Cisco Webex.
No need to panic, though. You can manually enable these permissions by going to the Settings app on your Mac. Here is how you can do that:
1. On your Mac, click on the Apple Logo in your screen’s top left corner.
2. From here, click and open the System Settings.
3. Once the System Settings app is open, scroll down a little and click on the Privacy & Security settings.
4. Next up, click and open the Camera settings.
5. From here, turn on the toggle beside Webex. Then, come back to the Privacy & Security settings.
6. Now, open the Microphone settings just above the Camera settings.
7. Lastly, turn on the toggle beside Webex
Now, open the Cisco Webex app; your camera and microphone should be ready.
3. Use Cisco Webex in the Browser
If you cannot open or use the Cisco Webex app on your Mac, or if you cannot use the camera and microphone in the app, and you are running late for a meeting, you can temporarily use Cisco Webex on your browser. There are two different ways to use Webex on the browser.
If you are joining a meeting hosted by someone else, all you have to do is copy the link you received in your email and paste it into your browser.
But, if it is your first time using Webex on the browser, allow permission for the camera and microphone, which will pop up before joining the meeting.
If you are hosting a meeting, you will need to open the Cisco Webex website in your browser and then log in or sign up. Once you have done this, you should be able to start or schedule a meeting for later.
4. Force Quit Cisco Webex app and Reopen
In my experience, Cisco Webex is not very reliable when used on a web browser, which is why I prefer using the app. However, I faced an issue a few months ago while using the Webex app. When I tried to start recording a session, it did not automatically begin recording, and I only noticed this after a while. So, I decided to restart the session to record from the beginning.
When I tried to click the record button again, it did not respond despite multiple attempts. Eventually, I disconnected from the meeting, force-quit the Webex app, and restarted the meeting. Surprisingly, this time, it started recording from the moment I clicked the button.
Cisco Webex can also experience occasional bugs and glitches like any other app. However, force quitting and restarting the app gives it a chance to clear these issues and start fresh.
1. On your Mac, click on the Apple Logo.
2. From here, click and open Force Quit. Alternatively, press the Option ⌥ + Command ⌘ + Esc keys from any screen on your Mac to launch Force Quit.
3. Now, click on the Webex app to select and click the Force Quit button.
4. Lastly, when prompted, click on Force Quit again.
5. Check Webex’s Status
It is very important to understand that the issue of Webex not working may not solely be caused by bugs, glitches, or internet problems. Service outages can also be a cause. Therefore, whenever you face the Cisco Webex not working issue, it is recommended that you check the Webex Status page.
Referring to the Webex Status page can help you determine whether there are any ongoing service disruptions, providing information about Webex’s status. This step can help you identify whether the issue is on your end or a broader problem affecting Webex services for everyone.
6. Check and Update Cisco Webex
At times, you might face functionality issues when using the Webex app on Mac, such as being unable to join a meeting hosted by someone or having invitees unable to join your meetings. This could be caused by using an outdated Cisco Webex app version. Normally, the app automatically checks for updates in the background and prompts you to update when you launch it.
However, in the haste to join or host meetings, many users overlook these updates and proceed with their tasks. While this may not cause a problem in most cases, if you happen to be using an ancient version of the app, it could be why your Webex is not working on your Mac. To update the Cisco Webex app:
1. Open the Webex app from the Launchpad on your Mac or use the Spotlight Search functionality.
2. Once the Webex app is open, tap the Help icon in the window’s bottom left corner.
3. From here, select the Check for Updates option.
4. If an update is available, click the Get Update button.
5. Lastly, once the update is downloaded, click the Restart Now button to update the app to the latest version.
7. Uninstall and Reinstall Cisco Webex
Suppose you have tried all the troubleshooting methods mentioned earlier to address the issue of Cisco Webex not working on Mac, but the problem persists. In that case, the last recommended step is to uninstall the Cisco Webex app entirely from your Mac and then reinstall it.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the app ensures the removal of any possible issues arising from corrupted files or settings. This method enables you to start fresh with a clean installation of Webex, often by resolving persistent issues.
1. Force Quit the Webex app on your Mac by following the earlier steps.
2. Open the Finder app from the dock or Spotlight Search.
3. Once the Finder app is open, navigate to Applications.
4. Find the Cisco Webex app and right-click on it. Then click on Move to Bin.
5. Lastly, download the Cisco Webex app and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Wrapping Up
That concludes our guide on fixing the Cisco Webex not working issue on Mac. I hope this guide has offered clear and effective solutions to any problems you may have faced with Cisco Webex on your Mac. If none of the methods discussed here have resolved your issue, don’t hesitate to seek further assistance from Webex Support.
If you have successfully fixed the Webex not working problem by following this guide, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back, a virtual high-five, or a fist bump to me, whatever suits your style. No judgment here! While you are still here, consider sharing this guide with friends and family who might find it helpful.
As we say goodbye, I want to express my gratitude. Thank you for choosing Grid Boltt as your go-to troubleshooting guide. We are committed to providing guides on all things tech, so if you face any device issues, check our website for relevant guides. Until next time, stay techy!
