How to Keep PowerPoint Videos Playing While Using Zoom
Question details
The user needs a way to prevent embedded PowerPoint videos from pausing when clicking away to another application, such as Zoom, during a presentation.
- Product
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Presenting a slideshow with embedded videos on a secondary monitor while trying to interact with Zoom participants on the primary monitor.
- Observed behavior
- The embedded PowerPoint video automatically pauses the moment the presenter clicks on Zoom or switches active focus to any other application.
Ensure your secondary monitor is properly connected and your computer's display settings are set to 'Extend these displays' before configuring these workarounds.
Use an External Video Player on a Second Monitor
Since PowerPoint pauses embedded media when it loses focus, playing the video in a standalone media player allows you to interact with Zoom without interrupting playback.
PowerPoint currently lacks a native setting to force embedded videos to continue playing in the background. Using a third-party application like VLC Media Player or Windows Media Player bypasses this software limitation.
While this requires manually loading videos outside of your slideshow, it guarantees uninterrupted playback during live meetings.
Open a video player that supports independent floating windows, such as VLC Media Player or Windows Media Player.
Open the specific video file you intend to show during your slideshow directly in the external player.
Drag the media player window to your secondary display so it is visible to your audience or shared via Zoom.
When you reach the video slide, click to the external player to start it. You can now click back to Zoom on your primary monitor to manage participants; the video will continue playing on the second screen.
Use the 'Play in Separate Window' Feature (If Available)
Some older or specific versions of PowerPoint include an option to detach the video from the main slide window.
Try WPS Presentation for Seamless Slideshows
If you frequently struggle with presentation limitations in Microsoft Office, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for opening, editing, and presenting PowerPoint files seamlessly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your device.
- 2. Install the application: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office.
- 3. Open your presentation: Launch WPS Presentation and open your existing PowerPoint files to enjoy smooth, reliable slideshows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PowerPoint automatically pause my video when I click on Zoom?
PowerPoint is designed by default to pause media playback whenever its application window loses active focus. Clicking on Zoom makes Zoom the active window, which triggers PowerPoint to pause the embedded video to save system resources.
Is there a built-in PowerPoint setting to keep videos playing in the background?
Currently, Microsoft PowerPoint does not provide a universal built-in setting or toggle to force embedded videos to continue playing when the application is inactive or minimized.
Will using dual monitors fix the video pausing issue natively?
No. While having a second monitor allows you to display the presentation and Zoom separately, the operating system's focus-loss rules still apply. If you click on the screen with Zoom, the PowerPoint application on the other screen loses focus, and the video will still pause.
Can I use Presenter View to bypass this focus issue?
Unfortunately, Presenter View still relies on the PowerPoint application maintaining active focus. If you click outside of Presenter View to interact with another app, media on the presentation screen will still pause.
