10 Reasons Why Your Mac Runs Slow When Sharing Screen via Skype or Zoom

Skype and Zoom both offer screen sharing, a useful feature for collaboration and support during corporate calls.

To share your screen via the Skype app, simply follow these steps:

1. Open Skype.
2. Make a video or voice call to any of your contacts.
3. Click the + button in the upper-right corner of the call window.
4. Select Share Screen.
5. The other person should see a live video of what’s on your screen, such as the programs and apps you have opened.
6. To stop screen sharing, click Stop Sharing.
7. Press the End Call button once your call is over.

To share your screen via the Zoom app, follow the instructions below:

1. Launch the Zoom app.
2. Click the Share Screen button under the meeting controls section.
3. Select a screen you want to share.
4. Hit Share.

Although Screen Sharing seems like a great feature for communication apps like Skype and Zoom, some Mac users are complaining about it. According to them, screen sharing makes Macs slow and hot. But is the feature really to blame?

Well, not really. Oftentimes, a Mac becomes slow and hot when screen sharing because of some other factors or reasons, which we have outlined below.

1. A Mac Has Been Up and Running for Too Long.

Haven’t shut down your Mac for weeks now? Then it is one possible reason why your Mac is slow and hot when sharing screens.

Many of you probably fancy the idea of putting your Mac in sleep mode when you are not using it. However, it won’t help because the hard drive will still be running, which means processes still build up and cause your Mac to overheat, slow down, or freeze.

Make it a habit to restart or shut down your Mac on a regular basis. This way, unnecessary processes will be closed and cleared out.

2. A Lot of Login Items Boot at Startup.

These login items could be any services or applications that automatically launch every time you boot your Mac. Experts claim that when too many items launch or open at startup, they will have an effect on your computer’s boot time or affect other processes that you run on your Mac.

3. You Have Opened Too Many Applications at Once.

Did you open Safari, play iTunes in the background, and launch office applications all at once? Chances are, your Mac will respond slowly. This is because all the apps you opened simultaneously will compete for your system resources.

4. Lots of Folders and Files Are Stored on Your Desktop.

Many of us are guilty of doing this: we save files and folders on the desktop for easier access. However, did you know that doing this may cause our Macs to slow down, especially when sharing screens during Skype or Zoom calls? Yes, that is because they consume a lot of system resources. Not to mention, they make our Desktop look disorganized.

5. There Is Not Enough Memory.

One of the most critical causes why a Mac slows down and becomes unresponsive when screen sharing is the lack of memory. Skype or Zoom may require more memory than what’s currently available on your Mac.

Here are the system requirements for Skype for Macs:

• 1 GHz processor
• MacOS X 10.5.8 or later
• 100 free hard drive space
• Built-in microphone or USB headset

Here are the system requirements for Zoom for Macs:

• MacOS X 10.9 or higher
• 8 GB DDR Memory
• 128 GB SSD

6. Many Widgets Are Active.

Macs have this Dashboard Services section that acts as a secondary Desktop for housing widgets. These widgets are basic applications you might need, such as the weather forecast or calculator.

Unfortunately, running too many widgets can cause your computer to run slow as they also consume a bit of your RAM. It would be great if you could remove those widgets you don’t really find useful.

7. Your Solid-State Drive or Hard Disk Drive Is Failing.

A failing hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) does not only endanger the data that you have stored on your Mac. It can also cause your computer to be sluggish or unresponsive. If you suspect your SSD or HDD is about to fail, back up your Mac and have it brought to the nearest Apple Service Center.

8. Your Internet Connection Is Slow.

Sometimes, when apps on your Mac run slow, you often blame your hardware. But most of the time, you could be wrong. It is likely that your Internet connection is the culprit.

There are many possible reasons why your Internet speed is slow. It could be because the router you are using is already old or outdated. It could also be possible that many devices have tapped into your network, hence the bandwidth is divided and shared among everyone.

So, the next time you find yourself in a situation where screen sharing is slow and sluggish, check your Internet connection first.

9. Your Mac Is Full of Junk Files.

Every day, you use apps that generate junk and unnecessary files. Over time, these files tend to build up and take up a huge chunk of storage space. They can also affect the speed of your Mac experience.

To get rid of these junk files, we suggest that you use a trustworthy Mac repair tool. Run a quick scan and let the tool identify and fix all speed-reducing issues it encounters.

10. A Virus Has Infiltrated Your System.

Sure, the macOS is more secure compared to Windows. But that does not mean it is safe against viruses.

Nowadays, viruses are becoming more aggressive. Even if your Mac already has the strongest and most advanced anti-virus system, attacks may still happen. That is why you should be extra cautious. Avoid downloading apps you don’t know or do not click links from unknown sources.

The Bottom Line

There are many reasons why your Mac slows down when you do screen sharing while using Skype or Zoom. It can be due to poor Internet connectivity or because of malware. But whatever’s causing your computer to slow down, know that there is always a fix. If you’re not confident with your troubleshooting skills, leave the job to an expert.

Did you find the above reasons helpful? Were you able to find a fix to your slow Mac? Comment on your thoughts below.