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Zoom Troubleshooting & FAQ - Students


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How do I join a meeting?

In most cases, your teacher will post a link to canvas that has you download the Zoom app and log you into the call.

  • Check if your teacher has shared a link on Canvas, or whatever medium you use to communicate with them.
  • If they shared a link, click on it. You will be prompted to install the Zoom app, and once its installed, you will join the call!*

In the case that your teacher did not share a link, and instead shared an "ID" to the call, follow these instructions:

  • Start by visiting fsu.zoom.us and sign into the "Zoom" service (Not "Zoom for HIPAA") using your standard FSU credentials.
  • Once you log in, you should be brought to your profile page. In the header of the page, click on "Join a meeting."
  • In the page that appears, type in the ID that your teacher provided. Dashes/spaces will be added as you type the number, so disregard them, and just type the digits.
  • Once you've typed the code and hit "Join", you will be prompted to install the Zoom tool to join the call.*

* If you're on Mac, the installer may crash after you start it. Don't worry, the app is installed! Go back to the "Join a meeting" page and type in the code again, it should open in the app. If that doesn't work, just launch the Zoom app from your Applications directory, and join using the code manually.


I can't hear my teacher, and the rest of the class can't hear me!

Unlike Facetime, Skype, and many other video conferencing tools, audio is not shared by default on zoom conferences. In order to speak or hear other participants, you must join the audio channel.

  • If you're in the Zoom app, click on the "Join Audio" button in the lower lefthand corner of the app.
  • If you are currently screensharing, drag your mouse to the top of the screen, and click the "Join Audio" button on the lefthand side of the dropdown that appears.
  • If this is your first time using zoom, you may be sent through a series of prompts asking if you can hear a tone, then yourself speaking. Complete these prompts to configure your computer's audio.
  • From there, click on "Join with Computer Audio" to join the conference call's audio!
  • In the case that your audio is working and you believe your teacher's isn't, send them this link so they can troubleshoot their setup.

But what if I don't have a microphone on my computer?

Don't worry! Zoom has an option where you can dial into the call to recieve audio using any standard phone line!

  • When you're in the Zoom app, click on the "Join Audio" button in the lower lefthand corner of the app.
  • From there, click on the "Phone Call" tab to show a list of phone numbers to join the call with!
  • Dial any of these numbers to connect to Zoom. If the one you pick doesn't work, try another until you successfully reach the Zoom service.
  • Once you've dialed in, type the Meeting ID, followed by the pound (#) sign.
  • After that, dial your Participant ID, followed by the pound (#) sign again.
    • Note that on some computers, you may need to scroll down in the phone number popup to see your Participant ID.
  • Once you've done all this, you should start hearing the conference call's audio! You can control muting just like you would on the Zoom app with computer audio.

How do I use Zoom's chat feature?

Zoom does have a built in chat method you can use to talk with your classmates while you're muted.

  • If you're in the zoom app, click on the "Chat" button in the bottom section of the app.
  • If you're currently screen sharing, drag your mouse to the top of the screen. In the bar that apears, click "More", then click "Chat".

I have a question that wasn't answered here!

While we at the Math department's IT office cannot answer questions from students directly, we can refer you to ITS's resources for more details.

  • Check out ITS's guide here for more info that will help you find an answer. :)

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