Is there a way to check if database exists and is available for connection (perhaps similar to 'ping') without trying to connect and wait for a timeout?

There is no specific function for this. You would indeed need to attempt to connect and check the result.

thanks for a quick reply, an idea to implement??

I have added this to the list of enhancement requests.

There are no reported outages at the moment besides some dial-in issues in some areas. You can view the service status here https://status.zoom.us/. If you are experiencing an outage you should report it to support Submit a request – Zoom Help Center .Your love language test audio or video may not work during Zoom calls due to several reasons. It could be a hardware issue such as a disconnected microphone or camera, or software-related problems like outdated device drivers. Network issues such as low bandwidth or unstable internet connection can also cause audio or video disruptions.