Zoom’s Waiting Room: How It Works and How to Disable It

In an effort to enhance security and privacy, Zoom has made two important changes to its platform as of April 5, 2020. First, all Zoom meetings will now have a password by default. This password won't affect those joining via an Invitation URL, but participants joining via Meeting ID will need to enter a password. Second, all Zoom meetings will now have a waiting room enabled by default.

What is the Waiting Room?

Think of the waiting room as a virtual lobby. Just like a physical meeting room that can accommodate a limited number of people, the waiting room is where participants wait until there is space available for them to enter the meeting. This prevents virtual meetings from getting overcrowded and ensures a smoother experience for everyone involved.

In the case of Zoom, participants can either be in the waiting room or be active participants. Active participants have the ability to share their screen, video, chat, and speak during the call. On the other hand, those in the waiting room have limited access to the meeting and cannot perform these actions.

Initially, waiting rooms were created to prevent virtual meetings from being bombarded with a large number of participants. The meeting is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, and any additional participants have to wait in the waiting room. However, due to incidents of unauthorized access (ZoomBombing), Zoom has made the waiting room a default feature to secure public meetings.

How Does the Waiting Room Work?

With the new rules in place, joining a Zoom meeting now involves a two-step process. Instead of immediately entering the meeting, participants will first encounter a screen that displays the waiting room. From the host's perspective, they will see the names of all participants in the meeting, both in the waiting room and those who are already active participants. The host will then manually admit each person individually into the meeting room.

Disabling the Waiting Room

While it is not recommended to disable the waiting room for public meetings or when sharing meeting invite URLs on the internet, some users may find it a bit inconvenient for meetings with only close acquaintances. If you fall into this category, you can disable the waiting room feature by following these steps:

  1. Visit the Zoom website and click on the gear icon to access the settings page.
  2. Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Advanced Features.”
  3. You will be redirected to the web portal, where you may need to sign in again.
  4. Click on the “Settings” tab.
  5. Look for the option called “Waiting Room” and toggle it off to disable the waiting room.

Please note that disabling the waiting room feature may compromise the security of your meetings, especially if they are public or accessible to a wide audience. It is always recommended to exercise caution and enable the waiting room for added security.

In conclusion, Zoom has taken significant steps to address the security and privacy concerns surrounding its platform. By implementing a waiting room feature and requiring passwords for meetings, Zoom aims to provide a safer and more controlled environment for its users. However, it is crucial for users to remain vigilant and follow best practices when conducting virtual meetings. If you have any further questions or concerns about Zoom, feel free to let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Zoom Tips & Tricks to Manage Your Video Conferences Better