Screen sharing is a useful feature that lets you show your work to your tutor or view what they’re demonstrating. If it’s not working properly, here’s how to fix it.
Permission Required on Mac
If you’re using a Mac, screen sharing requires special permission that isn’t granted by default. Go to System Preferences, then Security & Privacy, then Privacy, and click on Screen Recording in the sidebar. You’ll need to tick the box next to your browser (such as Chrome or Safari). You may need to restart your browser after making this change.
Choosing What to Share
When you click the screen share button, you’ll be asked what you want to share. You can share your entire screen, which shows everything visible on your display, or you can share just a specific window, which is better for privacy. If you only need to share a website, you can share just that browser tab.
Black Screen When Sharing
If your tutor sees a black screen when you share, try sharing your entire screen instead of a specific window. If the application you’re sharing is minimised, bring it to the front. Some applications with copy protection may show as black when shared.
Lagging or Freezing
If your shared screen appears laggy or freezes frequently, your internet connection may be struggling. Try closing other browser tabs and applications to free up bandwidth. If possible, use a wired ethernet connection rather than WiFi for more stability.
Browser Compatibility
Screen sharing works best in Google Chrome. If you’re using Safari, make sure you have macOS Catalina or later, as older versions have limited screen sharing support. Firefox also supports screen sharing, though Chrome tends to be more reliable.