If the Model ML notetaker isn't joining or recording your Zoom meetings, there are a few common causes. This guide walks through the Zoom settings you need to check.
Recording Permission
The most common issue is that Model ML did not get permission from the meeting host to record the call. This is a requirement for Zoom specifically, as Zoom doesn't allow anyone to record a meeting without the host's approval.
This can happen when:
During the meeting, Model ML tried to join, but the host denied access.
A non-host user tried to bring Model ML to a meeting, and the host "allowed" admittance but then "denied" recording permission. The bot stayed in the meeting, but couldn't record.
Host's settings prevented local record to computer files.
There are two "Recording" settings that must be enabled by the Zoom meeting host. These settings options are available at the account level, group level, and user level within Zoom. If disabled at the account or group level, it will override your user-level settings, so you may need someone with permission to view those pages to confirm that these settings are enabled there as well.
To confirm or update this at the user level:
Log in to Zoom and navigate to https://zoom.us/profile/setting
Select the "Recording" tab
Confirm that these settings are all enabled/on:
"Record to computer files"
"External meeting participants"
(Optional) "Auto approve their permission requests"
If any setting is disabled/grayed out and you can't enable them, you will need to contact your Zoom account administrator to have it changed.
To confirm or update this at the account level:
Log in to Zoom and navigate to https://zoom.us/account/setting
Select the "Recording & Transcript" tab
Confirm that these settings are all enabled/on:
"Record to computer files"
"External meeting participants"
(Optional) "Auto approve their permission requests"
To confirm or update this at the group level:
Log in to Zoom and navigate to https://zoom.us/account/group#/
Select the group you would like to confirm or update settings for
Select the "Recording & Transcript" tab
Confirm that these settings are all enabled/on:
"Record to computer files"
"External meeting participants"
(Optional) "Auto approve their permission requests"
Allowing unauthenticated users to join
"Only authenticated users can join" must be disabled in Zoom settings. If this is enabled, then Model ML won't be able to join your meeting at all. This setting exists in multiple places:
1. User level settings
As a meeting host, check the user level settings:
Log in to Zoom and navigate to https://zoom.us/profile/setting
Select the "Meeting" tab
Scroll down to "Only authenticated meeting participants and webinar attendees can join meetings and webinars" and make sure it is turned off
2. PMI settings
The next place to check is in the PMI settings, which controls meetings created using a Personal Meeting ID:
Open the Zoom app
Click the down arrow next to "New Meeting" > "[your PMI]" > "PMI Settings"
Make sure "Only authenticated users can join: Sign in to Zoom" is turned off
3. Per-meeting setting
This setting can also be overridden on a per-meeting basis by the meeting creator, so you should make sure this is never checked when creating a meeting you want Model ML to record.
4. Account/group level
The last place that this could be enabled is by your Zoom admin at the Zoom account/group level. Non-admin users aren't able to view or change this setting, but if you're still getting the "Only authenticated users can join" error after checking all 3 of the above places, you should ask your Zoom admin whether this setting is enabled at the Zoom account or group level.