Google Meet is a popular video conferencing tool that allows users to meet virtually for meetings, events, classes and more. However, some users have experienced an issue where the video seems zoomed in too much, only showing the user’s face instead of their full upper body.
Here are some potential ways to fix and troubleshoot this issue:
Table of Contents
Check Video Resolution Settings
Before joining a Google Meet call, go into the settings and check what the video resolution is set at. High definition video settings like 1080p will show more zoomed in footage versus standard definition which shows more of the frame.
Try changing the send and receive resolution to a lower setting like 720p or even 360p before joining the meeting. This may allow you to see more of the frame and prevent the zoomed in face effect.
Turn Off Video Framing
Google Meet has a video framing feature that will detect faces and zoom in on them. This makes sure the person stays centered in the frame but can result in an uncomfortably close view.
To turn this off, go into your Google Meet settings > Video and toggle off the “Reframe” option. This will keep the original wide angle view from your webcam and prevent any artificial zooming.
Check Other Video Apps
See if the zoom issue also occurs in other video apps like Zoom or Webex. If it’s fine there, it points to a Google Meet-specific problem. If the zoom is present across different apps, it likely is due to device/webcam settings.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
A quick workaround is using keyboard shortcuts to zoom out as needed during a call.
- Windows: Ctrl + –
- Mac: ⌘ + –
This zooms out the Google Meet window specifically, allowing you to see more of the frame. Just remember to zoom back in (Ctrl/⌘ + +) afterwards.
Update Video Drivers
Outdated webcam drivers can sometimes cause zooming and quality issues. Make sure your video drivers are fully updated, especially if using external webcams.
On Windows, search for “Device Manager”, go to the “Imaging devices” section, right click on your webcam, and select “Update driver”.
Adjust Webcam Settings
If other solutions haven’t worked, try manually adjusting your webcam’s settings like zoom, focus and field of view. The exact steps depend on your webcam model and computer OS, but see if tweaking those helps.
Use Phone Camera Instead
As a workaround, consider using your mobile phone camera instead during Google Meet calls. Smartphone cameras allow zooming out to show your full upper body. This avoids any issues with your computer’s webcam zoom being stuck.
Further Troubleshooting Tips
- Restart your computer
- Make sure other programs are not accessing webcam
- Try different USB ports if using external webcam
- Test on different networks (WiFi vs Ethernet)
- Use incognito/private browsing mode
- Update Google Chrome browser
- Reinstall Google Meet app
- Factory reset webcam settings (device manager)
Preventing Future Google Meet Zoom Issues
To avoid zoom problems during future Google Meet calls, consider getting a webcam with zoom capabilities. Many external webcams allow manually controlling zoom, pan, tilt and other settings.
Also check your seating position relative to the webcam. Sitting too close can exacerbate the zoomed in face effect. Position yourself ~1.5-2 feet away from the camera for a properly framed head and shoulders shot.
Conclusion
Google Meet automatically zooming in too much can be annoying and uncomfortable. Thankfully there are settings you can tweak to resolve the issue and restore a proper video framing. Following the troubleshooting tips above should help get your video feed back to normal. Paying attention to your webcam’s field of view can also prevent zoomed in footage going forward.
