Zoom: Chat

The Zoom Chat function allows participants to send messages to others during a meeting. In this article, we cover the basics of using this feature and how to troubleshoot sitautions where the chat doesn't appear.

Accessing the Chat

During a Meeting

  1. Click the Chat icon in the meeting toolbar.
    Zoom Screen with 'Chat'
  2. This will open the chat window on the right of the meeting display. You can type a message to send to the entire group ("Everyone") or click the drop-down arrow next to "To:" if you want to send a message to a specific person. 
    Screenshot of changing the recipient of your chats
  3. When new chat messages are sent to you or everyone, a preview of the message will appear, and the Chat icon on your host controls toolbar will flash orange.

While Screensharing

  1. Click Chat in the meeting controls. If this option is not present, click More, then Chat.
  2. A floating chat window will appear.
    Screenshot of the floating meeting controls with a chat notification

Adjusting Chat Settings

  1. Click Chat in the meeting controls.
  2. Click the three dots to display in-meeting chat settings.
     Zoom chat settings, with "Everyone publicly and privately" selected.
  3. You can access the following options: 
    • Save chat
    • Allow attendees to chat with:
      • No one: Disables chat
      • Host only: Only the host and co-host can send messages to everyone. Participants can still send private messages to the host and co-host.
      • Everyone publicly: Participants cannot privately message anyone except the host and co-host but can publicly message everyone. 
      • Everyone publicly and privately: Participants can send public or private messages to anyone in the meeting. Public messages are visible to everyone in the meeting. Private messages sent to a specific participant are not visible to the host.

Troubleshooting Zoom Chat

As best practices, make sure you are using the Zoom desktop client (don’t use the web browser version) and that you have updated Zoom to the latest version.

If you’re still having trouble seeing Zoom chat messages, check your meeting chat settings following the steps below:

  1. Open the Zoom desktop app
  2. Click your profile photo in the upper right corner
  3. Click Settings > Profile > View Advanced Features.
  4. This will open up a web browser tab with more setting options.
  5. From your advanced settings, go to In Meeting (Basic) and scroll down to Meeting chat.
  6. Toggle off Meeting chat and then click Reset to turn everything back on.
    Meeting chat toggle
  7.  Make sure Meeting chat and New meeting chat experience are toggled on before you close the window.
  8. Close your Zoom desktop app and reopen it to join your meeting.

Keywords:
Zoom, chat 
Doc ID:
126679
Owned by:
iSchool U. in School of Information Sciences
Created:
2023-03-17
Updated:
2026-07-31
Sites:
University of Illinois School of Information Sciences