Classroom Video Troubleshooting

Owned by Laurie Fox
Last updated: Dec 16, 2024 by Brian Bucar
3 min read



This page is here to provide instruction when video is not working in a classroom.

Here are a list of items to review when video is not working in a classroom when trying to present

  • Check to make sure the projector is powered up and light can be seen at the projection lens. 

  • Check to see if the lens cover is installed on the projector. Some covers slide over the lens, others clip over the lens. Remove if installed. 

  • Check your physical connections. (HDMI cable, VGA Cable, or Display Port Cable plugged into the correct port or using the correct adapter dongle)

  • Check for physical stress on USB Type C connectors when a heavier cable is connected to an adapter dongle. Support the cable as necessary. Sometimes gently plugging the USB Type C cable in a second time helps the connection to reinitialize. 

  • Check your selected input on either the SmartBox or Extron controller. (HDMI, VGA, Computer, etc. should match the cable that you have connected)

  • Check to ensure that display mute is not activated on the Smart Box or the Extron controller. Turn off display mute if it is active. 

  • Check your video settings on your laptop whether you want Display Mirroring or Extended Displays. 

    • On a Windows Laptop, press the Windows Key + P to bring up the Project Menu where you can choose Duplicate or Extend as needed. 

      Image showing the pop-out menu that appears when you press the Windows Key and the P key. This menu allows you to switch between Extended Desktop and Duplicated Displays.

    • On a MacOS laptop, the Screen Mirroring settings can be found in the Control Center. 

      Image showing the Screen Mirroring button in MacOS.



  • If your MacBook mouse pointer is not pointing at the same location on the projector screen and your MacBook display when in “Mirror Built-in Retina Display” mode, toggle between “Mirror Built-in Retina Display” and “Use as Separate Display” and back to “Mirror Built-in Retina Display” mode, and the mouse pointer location should now be clicking on the same location on both displays.

  • If the edges are cut off on all 4 sides of the projection, change overscan setting on the projector from AUTO to 0%. 

  • If using a VGA cable and the colors are incorrect, unplug the cable and gently plug the cable back in again, supporting it as needed to ensure that there isn't physical stress on the connection. 

  • If using an HDMI cable and the image is blinking, unplug the cable and gently plug the cable back in again, supporting it as needed to ensure that there isn't physical stress on the connection. 

  • If using a WolfVision Document Camera and the projected image is upside down, rotate the camera head to the horizontal position and back to the vertical position and the image orientation should correct itself. 

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