Google Meet is a very straightforward videoconferencing platform. While it lacks some of the features of other videoconferencing platforms, it makes up for that with its ease of use and platform flexibility.
If you’re having screen-sharing issues, they’re likely to be caused by browser or meeting issues. All of those issues can be addressed relatively straightforwardly.
Hi, I’m Aaron. I really appreciate easy-to-use software and Google Meet fits the bill. Let’s identify and fix your Google Meet screen-sharing issues.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Open the content on your screen. You can’t share unopened content.
- Your host may have halted screen sharing and you’ll need to ask them to enable it.
- Restarting your browser can help.
- You may also be sharing content, which prevents you from sharing other content until you stop sharing the current content and share the new content.
How to Fix Google Meet Screen Sharing Issues
Because Google Meet is browser-based, it’s very straightforward to fix. Let’s start with the easiest which is…
1. Make Sure the Content is Open on Your Screen
Google Meet lets you display one of three sources: your entire screen, a single open application, or a single open web browser tab.
The only way for you to be able to share is if the content you want to share is open in one of those places. If it’s not, the content can’t be shared. So if you’re able to share and don’t see the content you want to share, then verify that it’s open.
If, instead, the sharing button is grayed out then…
2. Ask the Meeting Host to Permit Screen Sharing
If you’re not able to access the screen-sharing option at all, then your meeting host has disabled the ability for participants to share their screens. Hosts can do that during a meeting by…
Step 1: click the lock.
Step 2: toggle Host management to the on position.
Step 3: toggle Share their screen to the on position.
If that doesn’t resolve your issue, then…
3. Restart Your Browser
Your browser may have a conflict, error, or other issue preventing you from screen-sharing. The best way to resolve those issues is to completely close out of all browser windows for the offending browser and restarting it. That should clear your issues.
Alternatively, you can use a different browser. With the exception of Firefox, all major web browsers are Chromium-based, meaning that they are Chrome at their core. Any browser should work with Google Meet and it even works flawlessly with Firefox.
Another option may be…
4. You’re Already Sharing Content
If you’re already sharing content and wish to switch content, it’s not as simple as selecting different content. In most cases, you’ll need to stop sharing and then share the new content.
The exception to that is if you’re sharing a browser window. You will have the option to switch to a different browser window.
Conclusion
Google Meet is a relatively straightforward videoconferencing system. It’s web-based, so works wherever there’s a browser and internet connection. That platform agnosticism makes it a lightweight and popular option for videoconferencing.
Have you had interesting screen-sharing issues recently? Let me know about them in the comments below!