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*Zoom and services that include the name Zoom are services provided by Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
From July 15, 2022, Zoom will have a 40-minute limit even for meetings with two participants if you have a free subscription. (Previously, it was only for meetings with 3 or more people.)
Companies and organizations using Zoom for business should consider switching to a paid license at this opportunity.
Although it is multi-functional, it is simple and easy to use.
Here, we explain the causes and solutions for problems such as not being able to connect to Zoom or hear audio.
We also introduce points that you should always be aware of to prevent problems with Zoom, so if you are planning to introduce Zoom, please check it out.
Causes and solutions for Zoom connection problems
A common problem with Zoom is the inability to start Zoom or participate in a meeting.
First, let’s take a closer look at the causes of Zoom connection problems and how to deal with them.
Can’t install app
Zoom can also be used from a browser, but it is smoother to install the app and use it.
There are desktop apps for computers and mobile apps for smartphones and tablets, so install the apps that match your device.
The desktop app can be installed from the Zoom website, and the mobile app can be installed from the App Store or Google Play.
If you want to participate from a browser without installing the app, you need to obtain permission from the host to use the browser in advance.
If you have problems such as not being able to join the meeting even after accessing the invitation URL, tell the host to allow you to join from the browser.
The app version is old or you are using an unsupported browser
The reason why Zoom cannot be started may be that the version of the installed application has not been updated.
Since Zoom is regularly updated, support for older versions of the app may be lost due to changes in the operating environment. Always use the latest version of the Zoom app.
Also, if you are using a browser, it is possible that Zoom is not compatible in the first place, rather than a bug.
When using the browser version, using a recommended browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge (latest Chromium version) will reduce the risk of problems.
In addition to updating the Zoom app itself, it is important to frequently check for browser and device updates.
The maximum number of participants has been reached
Zoom has a basic plan that can be used for free and a paid plan that allows you to use more functions.
Paid plans are further divided into three plans depending on the features that are unlocked, each with a different maximum number of people who can participate in a meeting at the same time.
For example, for the Pro plan, the maximum number of people who can join a meeting is 100.
Therefore, if there are already 100 participants, you will not be able to enter even if you accept the meeting invitation.
In this case, it is necessary for the organizer to adjust the number of participants or change the usage plan.
If you plan to hold a large meeting, consider planning in advance to avoid problems with not having enough people.
The maximum number of users for each Zoom plan is as follows.
| basic plan | 100 people (*Calls up to 40 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Pro plan | 100 people |
| Business plan | 300 people |
| Enterprise plan | 500 people |
Wrong meeting ID/participation passcode
If you have received an invitation to a Zoom meeting but are unable to enter, you may have entered the meeting ID or passcode incorrectly when joining.
Zoom recognizes uppercase and lowercase letters as different characters, so if you can’t join the meeting, try re-entering the meeting ID and passcode.
Also, the possibility that the organizer made a mistake in the invitation information is not zero.
If the message “Meeting ID is invalid” is displayed when you access the meeting, contact the organizer and ask them to send the invitation information again.
A failure has occurred on the Zoom side
If not only you but also other users are having trouble, Zoom itself may be at fault.
Zoom outage information can be checked from the Zoom Service Status (https://status.zoom.us/) page.
If the status of each service is “Operational”, it is operating normally, but if it is “Under Maintenance” or “Degraded Performance”, there may be a problem, so there is no choice but to wait for recovery.
Causes and solutions for Zoom audio problems
You may be able to connect to Zoom, but you may experience problems such as not being able to hear your own voice or hearing the other party’s voice.
Next, let’s take a closer look at the causes and solutions for Zoom audio problems.
Can’t hear or reach the other party’s voice
The reason why you can’t hear the audio on Zoom is that the microphone Zoom webinar window smaller, other options will move to [ Details ]. There are also new settings have not been completed.
If you are using a USB microphone, check the connection settings of the microphone, such as whether the connector is properly inserted, and if it is wireless, whether Bluetooth is turned on.
It is also possible that you may not notice that you are connected to a wireless earphone, etc. It is also a good idea to check whether the external output device is automatically connected.
After connecting the microphone, please check whether the mute function in the device and Zoom is turned on.
If it is muted or the volume is close to zero, it can often be resolved by adjusting the volume.
Also, on smartphones/tablets, sound may not be heard even if the mute is canceled.
This is because the microphone is turned off in the device settings, so let’s allow the use of the microphone from the device settings screen.
The procedure for changing the microphone settings on the iPhone/iPad is as follows.
- Tap the “Settings” icon
- Tap “Zoom” from the application list at the bottom of the screen
- Tap the “Microphone” switch to turn it on
Concerned about howling noise
Howling is a phenomenon in which a squealing sound
is heard while using a microphone.
When the sound from the speaker is picked up by the microphone, the sound is output from the speaker as a louder sound, and the sound is picked up again by the microphone.
If howling or noise bothers you, you can expect improvements by lowering the speaker volume or muting unnecessary microphones.
You can also use an external headset or earphone mic to reduce the chances of the mic picking up sound from your speakers.
However, if the terminals in the same meeting are close to each other, howling may occur, so be careful.
Zoom Room option
If you have many opportunities to hold Zoom meetings with several people, we recommend Zoom Rooms, which is a stationary license.
This is a method in which the necessary environment for Zoom (camera, speaker, microphone, display, etc.) is set up in advance in a meeting space or conference room, and those who participate in the Zoom meeting gather in that room to start.
Since the microphone and speaker are integrated into one unit, high-quality calls are possible and howling does not occur. Also, since multiple people can be seen on the camera at the same time, you will be able to hold a meeting with a sense of presence.
It will be a paid license, but since one license is enough for one conference room, the cost-effectiveness is also high.
Things to be aware of on a regular basis to avoid trouble
Zoom problems can often be avoided by improving the operating environment.
Finally, I will introduce points that you should be aware of on a daily basis to reduce problems with Zoom.
Zoom update
When an update is made on Zoom, you need to update the app yourself.
The procedure to update the desktop application version of Zoom is as follows. (Windows/Mac)
- Click the user icon on the top right of the app screen
- Click “Check for Updates”
- If “Updates are available” is displayed, click “Update”
When the update is completed, or if it has already been updated to the latest version, “Keeping the latest state” is displayed.
For smartphones and tablets, check for updates on the App Store or Google Play.
After a major update, you may not be able to use Zoom unless you update, so we recommend checking for updates frequently.
Improvement of communication environment
If the Zoom connection is easily interrupted or the audio or video is distorted, it can be resolved by adjusting the environment for using Zoom.
Check the following points to prepare an environment suitable for using Zoom.
- turn off airplane mode
- turn on cellular
- Move to a location with a Wi-Fi environment (free Wi-Fi is not recommended)
- Purchase capacity if your smartphone is speed-limited
Free Wi-Fi available in cafes and convenience stores is not recommended for Zoom connections because it has no security measures and the speed is slow.
If you want to use Zoom on the go, use a mobile router, etc. to prepare a Wi-Fi environment.
summary
- Zoom connection issues are often fixed with app and device updates
- For audio issues, review microphone and mute settings
- You can reduce the risk of problems by frequently updating Zoom and improving the communication environment.
Zoom is a convenient web conferencing tool that can be used both at work and privately.
Learn how to troubleshoot so that you can calmly deal with problems if they occur.