Published 2022-10-05 by TechNet New England
Zoom is a video conferencing platform used for meetings, webinars, and screen sharing. ## Install Zoom **Desktop:** Go to [zoom.us/download](https://zoom.us/download) and download "Zoom Workplace." **Mobile:** Download "Zoom Workplace" from the App Store or Google Play. **Web:** Join meetings at [zoom.us/join](https://zoom.us/join) without installing (some features may be limited). ## Join a Meeting 1. Click the meeting link in your email or calendar invitation. 2. Zoom will open (or ask you to open/download the app). 3. Choose to join with or without video. 4. Choose to join with computer audio, phone call, or phone audio. You can also join manually: 1. Open Zoom. 2. Click **Join**. 3. Enter the **Meeting ID** and your name. 4. Enter the **Passcode** if required. ## Host a Meeting 1. Open Zoom and sign in. 2. Click **New Meeting** to start an instant meeting. 3. Or click **Schedule** to plan a meeting for later. Fill in the date, time, and settings, then share the invitation. ## During a Meeting The toolbar at the bottom provides: **Mute/Unmute**: Toggle your microphone. **Start/Stop Video**: Toggle your camera. **Participants**: See who is in the meeting. **Share Screen**: Share your entire screen or a specific window. **Chat**: Send messages to all participants or privately. **Reactions**: Raise hand, thumbs up, clap, etc. **Record**: Record the meeting (if allowed by the host). ## Common Issues **No audio:** Click the arrow next to the microphone icon and check that the correct microphone and speaker are selected. Click **Test Speaker and Microphone** to verify. **No video:** Click the arrow next to the camera icon and check that the correct camera is selected. On Mac, check System Settings > Privacy and Security > Camera and make sure Zoom is enabled. **Echo or feedback:** Only one person in a room should have audio active. If multiple people in the same room join with computer audio, mute all but one or use a single shared device. **"Waiting room" message:** The host has not admitted you yet. Wait for the host to let you in. **Background noise:** Click the arrow next to the microphone icon > Audio Settings. Enable "Automatically adjust microphone volume" and set background noise suppression to "High." ## Virtual Backgrounds 1. During a meeting, click the arrow next to **Stop Video**. 2. Select **Choose Virtual Background**. 3. Pick a built-in background, upload your own image, or select **Blur** for a blurred background. Virtual backgrounds work best with a solid-colored wall behind you and good lighting.