Google Meet has become one of the standard solutions for internet video conferencing, whether you’re dropping in on a meeting or connecting with friends and family. However, like all pieces of software, Google Meet isn’t entirely perfect, and you may run into a few issues along the way. If you’re having problems with Google Meet, this guide is here to help you get back up and running as painlessly as possible.
Additionally, be sure to check out these fantastic tips and tricks for your next Google Meet video call — they could take your event to an entirely new level.
Problem: Can’t join or create a meeting
If you’re having problems joining an existing Google Meet video meeting or creating a new meeting, first make sure that you are signed in with a Google or G Suite account — you can do so by visiting the Google website, then clicking the blue Sign In button. If you are a G Suite user, you may need to check with your administrator to ensure that Google Meet is enabled for your organization within the Google Admin Console. Go to Apps > G Suite > Hangouts Meet and Google Hangouts.
Issue: A dial-in number is not provided for your meeting
At this time, only G Suite users gain access to a dial-in number, allowing meeting attendees to call into a meeting using their telephone. Additionally, while the U.S. does support the dial-in feature, not all countries around the world are included. Check with Google to make sure that your country supports the dial-in feature.
Bug: Education users can’t join from outside the domain
If you are using a G Suite Education or G Suite Enterprise for Education user account, there is a known bug in which a meeting creator must be present to approve or deny join requests from outside the domain. As a result, the Ask to Join page will crash. Until this issue is fixed, the best solution is to ensure the meeting creator stays on the call until all participants with external email addresses are present.
Problem: Your meeting shows as being full
If you can no longer add additional people to your meeting, you may have reached the limit for your subscription. Personal Google accounts and G Suite Basic accounts have a limit of up to 100 participants. Eduction accounts are limited to 50 participants, while Business and Essential accounts can contain up to 150 participants. For enterprise customers, Google Meet can support up to a maximum of 250 participants.
Issue: Your camera or microphone were denied access
When you first join a Google Meet conference, the system will ask permission to use your camera and microphone. If you accidentally denied the system, you can change your response by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Visit the Google Meet website.
Step 2: Click Start a New Meeting.
Step 3: In the top-right corner, click the Camera Blocked icon (a small camera with a red X).
Step 4: Click Always Allow https://meet.google.com to Access Your Camera and Microphone.
Step 5: Click Done.
Problem: People can’t see your camera when on MacOS
On the latest versions of MacOS (Mojave and later), you need to permit Chrome or Firefox to use your webcam; this is a security measure to ensure no unapproved applications are using your webcam or microphone when they should not. Note, before following these steps, check to ensure that your camera is plugged in properly. If you can access your webcam in other apps, such as FaceTime or Photobooth, continue:
Step 1: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
Step 2: Select System Preferences.
Step 3: Select the Security & Privacy setting.
Step 4: Choose Privacy > Camera.
Step 5: Ensure that either Google Chrome or Firefox has a check next to it.
Note: You can follow these same steps if your Microphone is denied. During step 4, select the Microphone option instead of the Camera option.
Bug: Drop-down menus won’t show during screen sharing
The team at Google is currently aware that when you share a window within Google Meet, drop-down menus will not show. If you need drop-down menus, the best option at this time is to share your entire screen instead of a specific window.
Problem: Can’t present when on MacOS
With the latest versions of MacOS (Mojave and later), you need to allow your browser to record your screen before presenting. To enable this option via the System Preferences app, follow these steps:
Step 1: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
Step 2: Select System Preferences.
Step 3: Select the Security & Privacy setting.
Step 4: Choose Privacy.
Step 5: Select Screen Recording.
Step 6: Ensure that either Google Chrome or Firefox has a check next to it.
Issue: Poor video quality during a call
Several different factors can influence your video call quality. For starters, ensure you are using a high-definition webcam from a trusted manufacturer. (If you don’t have a great webcam, there isn’t much we can do.) Additionally, check to ensure the network you are on is high-speed and can support the call. If you still have issues, attempt to close other browser tabs and open applications that may be using up resources. Lastly, if you are using a VPN, attempt to disconnect from it, as it may be slowing down your connection.
Glitch: Google Meet is completely inaccessible
Google may be having issues with its Meet service. You can visit the G Suite Status Dashboard to see more information. A green icon next to Meet indicates that everything is operating as it should, while a yellow or red icon will denote a problem that may explain why you can’t connect at the current time.
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Problem: Unable to open Google Meet on mobile devices
Ensure that your version of Google Meet is up to date by visiting the Play Store on Android devices or the App Store on iOS devices. Google Meet versions are only supported for six months, and older versions of the app may then cease to function correctly. Alternatively, delete the app and then reinstall it from your mobile device’s appropriate app store.
Glitch: Unable to schedule all-day meetings
If you are selecting the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) zone, an error will not allow you to schedule an all-day meeting. To fix the issue, instead of choosing the All Day option when planning your meeting, manually schedule the event for 24 hours using the drop-down Time and Date boxes.