Third-party captioning providers can send live captions into Zoom using a caption URL, also called an API token. Hosts and co-hosts can follow these steps to check the required settings, share the caption URL, and confirm that captions appear.
Before you begin, arrange a captioning service that supports Zoom’s caption URL and use the Zoom Workplace desktop app.
Step 1: Enable Closed Captioning in Zoom Settings
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal using the account that owns the meeting or webinar.
- Open Settings.
- Select Meeting, then In Meeting (Advanced).
- Turn on Manual captions if it is off. Confirm Enable if prompted.
- Select Allow use of caption API Token to integrate with 3rd-party Closed Captioning services if it is not already selected.
- Select Save if you changed the checkbox.
If a required setting is unavailable or locked off, contact CMTS Support.
Step 2: Open the Manual Captioning Controls
Manual captions and Zoom’s automated captions cannot run at the same time in a session. Confirm that your captioning provider is ready before switching to manual captions.
- Start the meeting or webinar as the host, or join as a co-host.
- Open the arrow beside Show captions in the meeting toolbar.
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Select Host tools for captions. If your version instead shows Set up manual captioner, select that option.
- Turn on Enable manual captioner.
For a provider connecting through the caption URL, continue to Step 3. You do not need to promote the captioner to co-host or assign a participant to type captions.
Step 3: Share the Caption URL
Share the caption URL only with your intended captioning provider. It allows captions to be sent into the current session.
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Select Copy the API token in the manual-captioning controls.
- Send the complete copied URL directly to your captioning provider using the agreed communication method.
- Ask the provider to connect and send a short test caption.
If the session ends or restarts, copy the caption URL again and provide the current URL before resuming captioning.
Step 4: Verify Captions Are Working
- Select Show captions in the meeting toolbar.
- Confirm that the provider’s test caption appears.
- Ask an attendee to confirm that they can also display the captions.
Each attendee can show or hide captions using the captions control in their toolbar. If captions do not appear, use the troubleshooting table below.
Troubleshooting Tips
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No captions appear | Manual captioning is off, or the provider is not connected | Turn on Enable manual captioner and ask the provider to confirm the current caption URL. |
| Captioning controls are missing | Required settings are unavailable, or you are not the host or a co-host | Check Step 1 and your meeting role. Contact CMTS Support if a required setting is locked off. |
| Captions are delayed | The provider’s connection or caption feed is delayed | Ask the captioning provider to check its connection and feed. |
| Captions stop after a restart | The provider is using a previous session’s caption URL | Copy the caption URL again and send the current URL to the provider. |
Related Help
- Enabling manual captions in Zoom
- Using a third-party captioning service in Zoom
- Understanding Zoom captions and transcripts
For help with WSE Zoom settings or missing captioning controls, contact CMTS Support at cmtshelp@jhu.edu.