You can prevent your video from automatically turning on when you join a Zoom meeting by adjusting a specific setting within the Zoom desktop client preferences. This gives you control over when your camera becomes active.
This guide uses the official Zoom client application on your computer to disable the auto-start video feature when you enter a meeting.
Steps to Disable Automatic Video on Join
Turning off the automatic video feature ensures your camera stays off by default whenever you connect to a meeting. Follow these simple steps:
- Open the Zoom client. Launch the Zoom application on your Windows or macOS computer.
- In your menu bar at the top of the screen, click zoom.us. Note: On Windows, you might click on the gear icon (Settings) in the client window instead, and then proceed to the Video tab directly.
- Click Preferences. This option will open the main settings window for the Zoom application.
- In the window that opens, look at the list of categories on the left side. Click on Video.
- On the right side, under the "Meetings" section, you will find various video settings. Check the box next to the option that says:
Turn off my video when joining a meeting:
Selecting this box activates the setting.
Once this box is checked, the setting is saved automatically. The next time you join any Zoom meeting, your video will be off by default. You can manually turn your video on at any time during the meeting by clicking the "Start Video" button in the meeting controls.
What This Setting Does
Checking the "Turn off my video when joining a meeting" option in the Video settings prevents Zoom from automatically activating your computer's camera as soon as you enter a meeting room. Instead, your video feed will remain off, and participants will only see your name or profile picture until you manually choose to enable your video.
This setting does not affect your ability to turn your video on or off during a meeting; it only controls the initial state when you join.
Why Use This Setting?
Disabling auto-start video is a common practice for several reasons:
- Privacy: It gives you a moment to prepare or ensure your surroundings are appropriate before revealing your video.
- Bandwidth: Starting without video can save a little bandwidth initially, which can be helpful on slower connections.
- Control: You retain explicit control over exactly when you appear on video to others.
By following these steps, you effectively stop Zoom's video from turning on automatically whenever you join a session, giving you better control over your meeting experience.
