Create & Confirm your Northwestern Zoom Account

All Northwestern faculty, staff, and students have access to a free Zoom account. Once created, your Northwestern University Zoom account is tied to your NetID and the email address associated with your NetID.

Getting started and using Zoom

Follow these steps to create your account, download the Zoom app, and ensure you are able to access Northwestern Zoom meetings:

  1. Provision your Northwestern Zoom account by logging in to https://northwestern.zoom.us/ Links to an external site. with your NetID and password.
  2. Download the Zoom app for your computer. Meetings will then launch through the app. You can also download the app for your phone or tablet for secondary use.
  3. To join a Zoom meeting  (including from Canvas), hosts and attendees should first ensure they are logged in to the Zoom app with their NetID and password: Authenticating Zoom Guide
  4. Confirm your preferred email in Canvas is the email address associated with your NetID, otherwise your use of Zoom in Canvas will not be accessible at https://northwestern.zoom.us/ Links to an external site. (information below).

Zoom and your email address

While you will use your NetID to access Zoom, Zoom accounts are identified by email address. 

What if I have a personal Zoom account associated with my NU email address?

If you have a personal Zoom account affiliated with your Northwestern email address, you will be prompted to switch that account to Northwestern's site licensed Zoom account. You have the option to switch your account to the Northwestern Zoom environment or continue to use your own. To get support for a non-Northwestern Zoom issue, contact Zoom Support directly.

Learn how to switch your account here.

What if I have a personal email or alternate NU email as my primary email in Canvas?

To use Zoom effectively through Canvas, it is important that your preferred email in Canvas matches the email associated with your NetID.

To find the email address associated with your NetID and Zoom:

  1. Log in to https://northwestern.zoom.us/ Links to an external site.
  2. Click on Profile to view your email address.
  3. In Canvas, click on Account (profile picture) in the left navigation and then click on Settings. On the right, locate your email address under the heading "Ways to Contact." Your preferred email address is the one with the star next to it.
  4. Confirm your preferred Canvas email matches the email associated with your NetID in Zoom.

For instructions on changing your preferred email in Canvas, view this Canvas Guide Links to an external site..

If you have been using Zoom in Canvas with an alternate email address, then follow the steps above to change your preferred email to the address associated with your NetID. Contact consultant@northwestern.edu to move any recordings to your Northwestern Zoom account or for any additional assistance. 

What if I have a personal Zoom account?

If you have an additional Zoom account and wish to keep it separate for personal or professional use, you will need to log out of your personal account in the Zoom app and then log in with your NetID and password to your Northwestern Zoom account before scheduling or joining Northwestern-related meetings.