How to Show All Participants in Microsoft Teams Video Meetings
You can see everyone in a Microsoft Teams video meeting by using Large Gallery view. This feature lets you watch many people at the same time, but it works best on the desktop app. Some people have problems like not seeing all people, video limits, or only seeing the speaker. Pinning a video or using the web app can change what you see. Updates and having enough cameras on also matter. You will learn easy steps and tips to fix these problems.
Key Takeaways
Open the Microsoft Teams desktop app and turn on Large Gallery view to see up to 49 people with cameras on.
You need at least 10 people with cameras on to use Large Gallery view. If fewer people have cameras on, you will see fewer videos.
You can pin important videos to keep them on your screen. Pinning only changes what you see, not what others see.
The web app shows fewer videos, so use the desktop app for big meetings.
A good internet connection and an updated Teams app make video better. This helps you see more people without problems.
Large Gallery View
Enabling Large Gallery
You can enable Large Gallery view in Microsoft Teams to see more people during a video meeting. Follow these steps to turn it on:
Make sure at least 10 people have their cameras turned on in your meeting.
Open the Microsoft Teams desktop app.
Look for the "Large Gallery" option in the meeting controls. Select it to switch your view.
Tip: If you do not see the Large Gallery option, check that enough participants have their cameras on. Sometimes, restarting the app or updating it helps if the option does not appear.
If you still have trouble, you can try these steps:
Clear the app cache from your computer.
Restart the app.
If problems continue, reinstall Microsoft Teams from the official website.
Participant Requirements
Large Gallery view only becomes available when at least ten participants have their cameras turned on. This rule helps the app know when to show the expanded layout. If fewer than ten people share video, you will not see the Large Gallery option.
Note: Only people with their cameras on will appear in the Large Gallery. If someone turns off their camera, their video will not show in this view.
You do not need special hardware for Large Gallery, but a computer with a dual-core processor works best. For smoother video, a four-core processor or better is recommended.
Navigating Multiple Videos
Large Gallery view lets you see up to 49 video feeds at once. If your meeting has more than 49 people with cameras on, you can use navigation controls to see everyone. You will find arrows labeled "<" and ">" below the video grid. Use these arrows to move between pages of video feeds.
This feature helps you keep track of all participants, even in very large meetings. Microsoft Teams makes it easy to switch between pages so you do not miss anyone.
Microsoft Teams Video Layouts
When you join a video meeting, Microsoft Teams gives you different ways to see everyone. Each layout has its own features and works best for different group sizes. You can switch between these views to find what helps you most.
Gallery View
Gallery View is the default layout in Microsoft Teams. You see a small grid of video feeds, usually showing the active speaker and a few others. This view works well for small meetings. You do not need to do anything special to use it. The app picks this view when you join a call. You can see up to 9 people at once, but the number may change if more people turn on their cameras.
Note: Gallery View is best for meetings with fewer participants. If you want to see more people, try switching to Large Gallery.
Large Gallery
Large Gallery lets you see up to 49 video feeds at the same time. This view helps in big meetings where many people have their cameras on. You need at least 10 people with video turned on to use Large Gallery. When you select this view, everyone sees the same layout. This makes it easier to follow the meeting and spot who is present.
Together Mode
Together Mode uses AI to place everyone in a shared virtual space, like a classroom or auditorium. You need at least 4 people with their cameras on to use this mode. Together Mode helps you feel more connected and can make meetings more fun. It works best when everyone has good lighting and their cameras on. You can choose different scenes for your group.
Tip: Together Mode can help reduce meeting fatigue and make it easier to focus on the group.
Participant Limits
Here is a quick comparison of the main video layouts:
You can host meetings with many more people, but only the first 49 with cameras on will appear in video layouts. After about 900 participants, others join in view-only mode.
Troubleshooting Visibility Issues
Pinning and Unpinning Videos
Pinning and unpinning videos in Microsoft Teams lets you pick who you want to see. If you pin someone’s video, their face stays on your screen. It does not matter who is talking. This helps you watch important people, like a teacher or a classmate. When you unpin, Teams will show whoever is talking or the last few people who spoke.
To pin a video, move your mouse over the person’s video and click the pin icon.
You can also pin someone from the People panel by clicking the pin next to their name.
To unpin, just click the pin icon again.
Pinning only changes what you see, not what others see.
You can make the pinned video fit better in the frame.
Tip: Pin videos to help you focus and not get distracted.
Web App Limitations
If you use the Microsoft Teams web app, you may see fewer videos. The web app only shows 4 or 9 videos at once. The desktop app can show up to 49 videos, which is better for big meetings. The web app usually shows the person talking and a few others. If you want to see more people, use the desktop app for the best view.
The web app only shows a small number of videos.
The desktop app lets you look through up to 49 videos.
What you see depends on who is talking, who you pin, and how strong your device is.
Service and Bandwidth Impacts
If your internet is slow or there are service problems, you may not see all videos. Microsoft Teams will lower the video quality to keep the meeting working. You might see fewer videos, or some videos may freeze or go away. Teams first makes the video less clear, then lowers the frame rate, and may stop some videos if needed.
Teams changes video quality if your internet is slow.
If you do not have enough bandwidth, videos can freeze or stop.
Seeing lots of videos at once needs more internet speed.
If you keep having problems, update Teams, check your internet, and restart your device.
Note: Sometimes, service problems make videos disappear or show only initials. If this happens, try updating Teams or ask IT for help.
Microsoft Teams Best Practices
Maximizing Participant Visibility
You can make meetings better by following some easy tips. Use the Microsoft Teams desktop app to see more people at once. Large Gallery and Together Mode work best on the desktop app. If you have two screens, use one for the desktop app and the other for the web app. This helps you watch people and share your screen or chat at the same time.
Ask everyone to turn on their cameras. Seeing faces and reactions helps you know how people feel. It also keeps everyone paying attention. Remind people to use their cameras at the start. You can also play fun games to make using cameras easier.
Here are more ways to see everyone:
Use a wired internet connection for better video.
Set meeting options before you begin. Choose who can present and use their camera or mic.
Use spotlighting to show important speakers.
Change permissions during the meeting. Make someone a presenter if you need to.
Use "raise hand" and live reactions to keep people involved.
Tip: Share an agenda before the meeting. This helps everyone get ready and stay focused.
Recording Limitations
When you record a meeting, only four video feeds show at once. Even if you see more people live, the recording will not show them all. Only the main speakers or last four active people appear in the recording.
Recordings do not show whiteboards, shared notes, or breakout rooms.
Only organizers or people in your group can record.
Each recording can last up to four hours.
If your internet is weak, the audio or video may not record well.
Note: If you want to see everyone’s reactions later, take screenshots or ask people to share their thoughts in the chat.
To see everyone in your meeting, do these steps. First, open the desktop app. Next, click the three dots menu. Then, pick Large Gallery View if ten cameras are on.
You can try other layouts like Together mode. This can help you see more people. Make sure your camera works before the meeting. Check your internet connection too.
Stay updated with new features. Hardware acceleration and sign language mode can help you. Updates can let you see more people. They also make meetings better.
Tip: Change layouts and update your app often. This helps you see everyone and stay interested.
FAQ
How do you switch between Gallery and Large Gallery view?
You click the three dots (More actions) in the meeting controls. Then, select either "Gallery" or "Large Gallery." Teams will change your view right away.
Why can’t you see everyone’s video in your meeting?
You need at least 10 people with cameras on for Large Gallery. If some people turn off their cameras, you will not see them. Ask everyone to turn on their camera.
Can you use Large Gallery on the web app?
No, the web app only shows a few videos. For Large Gallery, you must use the desktop app. Download it from the official Teams website.
What should you do if Large Gallery does not appear?
Try these steps:
Make sure at least 10 cameras are on.
Update your Teams app.
Restart Teams.
Ask your IT team for help if you still have trouble.
Does recording a meeting show all participants?
No, recordings only show up to four video feeds at once. Even if you see more people live, the recording will not capture everyone’s video.