Zoom: Error Code 104118 Fix – Causes & Steps

Zoom Error Code 104118 usually means the Zoom app cannot complete a clean connection from your device to Zoom’s servers. The cause is often local network filtering, a proxy rule, antivirus inspection, DNS trouble, VPN routing, or a blocked port. Zoom’s own support page defines 104118 as an issue preventing a connection between the device and Zoom servers. [✅Source-1]

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What Zoom Error Code 104118 Means

Error 104118 belongs to Zoom’s connection-related error family. In plain English: the Zoom app is trying to reach the service, but something in the connection path stops or interrupts the request.

The issue can happen before a meeting opens, during the “connecting” screen, after clicking a meeting link, or when the app tries to move from the browser into the desktop client. The message may look like a Zoom problem on the screen, but the actual cause often sits in the network route, not inside the meeting itself.

Think of the connection as a chain: device → Wi-Fi/router → DNS → firewall/proxy/VPN → internet provider → Zoom service. One weak link is enough. Small block, big error.

What This Error Does Not Usually Mean

• It does not usually mean your camera is broken.
• It does not usually mean your microphone is blocked.
• It does not usually mean the meeting host removed you.
• It does not usually mean your Zoom account is permanently damaged.

Main Causes of Zoom Error Code 104118

The causes below are arranged from most common in everyday troubleshooting to more technical checks for managed networks. Use them as a diagnostic path, not as random guesses.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Zoom Error Code 104118

1. Confirm That the Internet Path Works

Zoom specifically advises checking whether the browser can access zoom.us when the app stays in connecting mode or times out because network, firewall, proxy, or web gateway settings may be involved. [✅Source-2]

2. Check Zoom Service Status Before Changing Too Much

If your internet works and several people around you cannot connect to Zoom, check the official service status page. This avoids wasting time changing router or antivirus settings when the issue is outside your device.

Zoom directs users to its Zoom Service Status page for current service status and maintenance periods. [✅Source-3]

3. Restart Zoom the Right Way

Closing the window is not always enough. The Zoom process may still run in the background, especially on Windows.

• Windows: open Task Manager, select Zoom, and choose End Task.
• macOS: right-click Zoom in the Dock and choose Quit. If needed, use Force Quit.
• Mobile: swipe Zoom away from recent apps, then reopen it.

After reopening, join by entering the meeting ID manually once. If the meeting link was opened from a mail app, calendar app, or browser extension, the manual join test can reveal whether the link handoff is part of the problem.

4. Turn Off VPN or Proxy for One Test

A VPN can help many workflows, but it can also change how Zoom traffic travels. If 104118 appears only when the VPN is active, the route is the first suspect.

1. Disconnect the VPN.
2. Turn off manual proxy settings if you enabled them yourself.
3. Reconnect Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. Open Zoom and join a test meeting.

5. Test Another Network

This is one of the fastest ways to separate a device issue from a network issue. Try a mobile hotspot for two minutes. If Zoom connects on the hotspot but not on your normal Wi-Fi, the device is probably fine. The router, DNS, proxy, firewall, or ISP route needs attention.

• If the error disappears on a hotspot, focus on the original network.
• If the error stays on every network, focus on the app, operating system, antivirus, or account sign-in state.
• If only one meeting fails, ask the host for a fresh meeting link or meeting ID.

6. Allow Zoom Through Security Software

Security tools can inspect traffic, block unknown processes, or apply web filtering. The safe method is not to leave protection disabled. Test briefly, then create a proper allow rule if the test proves the block.

1. Pause only the web shield or firewall module for a short test.
2. Open Zoom and join a meeting.
3. If the error is gone, re-enable protection.
4. Add Zoom to the trusted app list in that security tool.
5. Restart the device and test once more.

Do not keep antivirus protection off as a permanent fix. The cleaner fix is a specific allow rule for Zoom traffic.

7. Flush DNS and Reset the Local Network Stack

DNS tells the device where to find services. A stale DNS cache or broken local network state can keep sending Zoom traffic toward a bad route.

Windows DNS Reset

ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

Restart Windows after running these commands. Without a restart, the reset may not fully apply.

macOS DNS Reset

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Enter the Mac password if asked. The password may not show while typing; that is normal.

8. Update or Reinstall Zoom

An outdated client, damaged install file, or interrupted update can also make the connection process fail. Use the official installer, not a copied file from another website.

1. Uninstall Zoom.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Download Zoom Workplace from the official Download Center.
4. Install the correct build for your system.
5. Sign in again and test a meeting.

Zoom’s download support page says the Download Center provides the desktop app for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus mobile apps for iOS and Android. [✅Source-4]

9. Use a Zoom Test Meeting

A test meeting is useful because it checks more than the launch screen. It tests whether Zoom can open a meeting room, connect audio, detect video, and move through the normal join process.

Zoom’s support page for test meetings says users can check the internet connection, audio, and video before joining a real meeting. [✅Source-5]

If you also need related Zoom troubleshooting pages, the Zoom error guides section can help you compare similar connection codes without mixing them up.

Network Numbers That Matter for Error 104118

Error 104118 is not solved by speed alone. A connection with high download speed can still fail if latency, jitter, packet loss, routing, or filtering is poor.

Zoom lists recommended bandwidth values such as 600 kbps up/down for high-quality 1:1 video, 1.2 Mbps up/down for 720p 1:1 video, 3.8 Mbps up and 3.0 Mbps down for 1080p video, and 60–80 kbps for audio VoIP. [✅Source-6]

Practical Zoom network values to check when 104118 appears.

Metric	Useful Target	Why It Matters
Latency	About 150 ms or lower	High latency can delay connection setup and meeting media.
Jitter	About 40 ms or lower	Jitter means packet timing varies too much.
Packet loss	About 2% or lower	Lost packets can break audio, video, or connection handshakes.
Audio bandwidth	60–80 kbps	Audio needs little bandwidth but stable delivery.
1080p video	3.8 Mbps up / 3.0 Mbps down	HD video needs more headroom than audio or screen sharing.

Inside Zoom’s meeting statistics, Zoom describes typical recommended values of 150 ms or less latency, 40 ms or less jitter, and 2% or less packet loss for meeting quality checks. [✅Source-7]

Firewall and Proxy Checks for Managed Networks

On office, school, campus, hotel, healthcare, government, shared building, or remote desktop networks, the user may not be able to fix 104118 alone. The network policy may be doing exactly what it was configured to do: filter outbound traffic.

Ports and Protocols to Review

For Zoom Meetings and Webinars, admins should review outbound TCP 443, 8801, and 8802 plus UDP 3478, 3479, and 8801–8810. Zoom also notes that firewalls should allow return connections after the client makes its connection.

Proxy and SSL Inspection

If a proxy asks for authentication, blocks WebSocket-style traffic, rewrites certificates, or inspects encrypted traffic too aggressively, Zoom may fail before the meeting opens. In that case, the fix is usually an allow rule or inspection bypass for approved Zoom endpoints.

Use Zoom Network Connectivity Tool

Zoom’s Network Connectivity Tool can test basic network information, MTR routing, service status, meeting connectivity, latency, packet loss, and jitter. This is especially useful when a support team needs more than “it does not connect.” [✅Source-8]

Fix Notes for Windows, macOS, and Mobile

Windows

• End all Zoom processes in Task Manager before reopening the app.
• Check Windows Security or third-party firewall rules for Zoom.
• Flush DNS and restart after network reset commands.
• Install the correct 64-bit or ARM64 build when available for your device.

macOS

• Quit Zoom fully before reinstalling.
• Check whether a VPN profile, DNS filter, or device management profile controls network traffic.
• Try a different network location if the Mac connects on a hotspot but not on office Wi-Fi.

iPhone, iPad, and Android

• Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data for one test.
• Disable private DNS, VPN, or security filtering apps temporarily for testing.
• Update Zoom from the official app store.
• Restart the device if Zoom stays stuck after an update.

What to Avoid While Fixing 104118

• Do not download “fixed” Zoom installers from unknown websites.
• Do not keep antivirus or firewall protection disabled after testing.
• Do not change router firmware settings unless you know how to restore them.
• Do not assume high speed means a stable Zoom path. Packet loss and jitter matter too.
• Do not reset a company laptop’s network policy without approval from the IT team.

When to Contact Your Network Admin or Zoom Support

Contact a network admin if 104118 happens only on one managed network, only behind a proxy, only on a VPN, or only after a security appliance update. Bring useful details. It saves time.

• The exact error code: 104118
• Device type and operating system
• Zoom app version
• Network type: home Wi-Fi, office Ethernet, VPN, proxy, hotspot
• Whether zoom.us opens in a browser
• Whether the same meeting works on another network
• Network Connectivity Tool results, if available

A clear report changes the conversation from “Zoom does not work” to “this device cannot reach Zoom Meetings over this filtered route.” That is easier to solve.

Common Questions About Zoom Error Code 104118

What does Zoom Error Code 104118 mean?

It means the Zoom app cannot complete a connection between your device and Zoom’s servers. The cause is usually network filtering, firewall rules, proxy settings, antivirus inspection, DNS trouble, VPN routing, or an unstable connection.

Is Zoom Error Code 104118 caused by my camera or microphone?

Usually no. Camera and microphone issues normally appear after the meeting opens. Error 104118 appears earlier because the app cannot connect properly.

Can a VPN cause Zoom Error Code 104118?

Yes. A VPN can route Zoom traffic through a path that blocks UDP, changes DNS, adds delay, or fails proxy authentication. Disconnecting the VPN for one test can quickly show whether it is involved.

Why does Zoom work on mobile data but not on Wi-Fi?

That usually means the Wi-Fi network, router, DNS, firewall, proxy, or ISP route is blocking or disturbing the Zoom connection. The device and Zoom app may be working normally.

Should I reinstall Zoom to fix Error 104118?

Reinstalling can help if the app is outdated or damaged, but network checks should come first. If the error happens only on one network, reinstalling alone may not solve it.

What should an IT admin check for Error 104118?

The admin should check outbound Zoom firewall rules, proxy authentication, SSL inspection, DNS filtering, VPN routing, and whether the required Zoom meeting ports and endpoints are allowed.

Can high internet speed still show Zoom Error Code 104118?

Yes. Speed is only one part of the connection. Latency, jitter, packet loss, routing, firewall rules, and proxy behavior can still break the connection even when speed tests look good.