Join a Zoom Meeting

Instructions on how to join an online video conference meeting using Zoom.

If you are attending a meeting set up by your teacher, look for the invitation with important information on how to join the meeting. This will include a specific link and meeting room number that will help you join. If you need more help joining a Zoom meeting, please continue reading to learn more.

Before joining the meeting

When you join a meeting, you will need a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a speaker. Prior to the first meeting, you will want to download the Zoom Client for Meetings from the Zoom Download Center. The download could take a few minutes, so if you wait until the time of the meeting, you might be late. If you do not download the Zoom Client in advance of the first meeting, you will be prompted to download and install the Zoom Client when you click the link to join the first meeting.

If you’ve never attended a Zoom meeting before, try now to join a test meeting. By practicing now you will feel more comfortable when you join your classmates during the scheduled meeting.

Joining a meeting

  • Your instructor has provided you with a link to join the class meeting via computer. Click on the link provided.

  • Select the Open Zoom Meetings option.

  • Once you join a meeting, you will be asked whether you want to join with video (other participants can see you and hear you) or without video (other participants can only hear you).

  • Next, if your audio is working properly, you should hear a ringtone? If you hear it, press “Yes.” If not, press “No.”

  • Now, test your microphone. Follow the instructions: say something and then pause to see if you hear a recording of what you said. If you hear what you said, select “Yes.” If not, select “No.”

  • Select the button to Join with Computer Audio.

  • You will now receive a message to join the session.

Other ways to join a meeting

You may also join a Zoom meeting by:

  • In your browser: Type zoom.us/join

    • You must enter the Meeting ID number provided in your invitation in order to join this way.

  • By telephone: Dial the teleconferencing number in the invitation. Again, you must enter the Meeting ID number provided in the invitation.

Once you are in the meeting, you will see a black options bar at the bottom of the screen. These are options that are available to you during the meeting. If you have questions about the available options or if you are having trouble joining the meeting, you may go to the Zoom Help Center for more information. Also, feel free to contact your instructor.

Using the icons at the bottom of the Zoom screen, you can:

  • Mute/Unmute your microphone (far left)

  • Turn your camera on/off (“Start/Stop Video”)

  • Invite other participants

  • View the participant list (This option opens a screen that includes a “Raise Hand” icon that you may use to get the attention of the meeting host. With this option you can also change your screen name that is seen in the participant list and video window

  • Share your screen

  • Type messages in the “Chat” box

On your Zoom screen you will also see a choice to toggle between “speaker” and “gallery” view. “Speaker view” shows the active speaker. “Gallery view” tiles all of the meeting participants.