Fathom Bot-Free Recording Not Working

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

1. FIX 1Confirm you're on a supported Mac

   Copy steps
   1. 01Bot-free needs macOS 14.2 or later and the Fathom 3.0+ desktop app
   2. 02On Windows the bot is still required until bot-free support ships
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. FIX 2Join Zoom from the desktop app

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   1. 01Open meetings in the Zoom desktop client rather than the browser
   2. 02Browser joins aren't supported for bot-free video capture
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. FIX 3Connect the Chrome extension for Meet

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   1. 01Install it from Settings > Fathom Apps > Chrome Extension
   2. 02Sign in with your Fathom email and allow meet.google.com
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. FIX 4Check your fallback and org settings

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   1. 01In Fathom capture settings, check your fallback (Send a bot or Capture audio)
   2. 02If bot-free options are greyed out, ask your Fathom admin; it can be blocked organization-wide
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. FIX 5Restart and rejoin

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   1. 01Quit and reopen the Fathom desktop app, rejoin the call
   2. 02Email help@fathom.video if capture still fails
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The bot still joins even though you chose bot-free, there's no video, speaker names are missing, or bot-free options are greyed out.

Why it happens

• C-01Running Windows, Chromebook or Linux
• C-02macOS older than 14.2 or an outdated Fathom app
• C-03Joining Zoom from a browser (no video or speaker attribution in bot-free mode)
• C-04Chrome extension not connected, so Fathom uses your fallback (send a bot or audio only)
• C-05Organization admin blocked bot-free capture

// this guide also covers

• fathom bot free not working
• fathom without bot
• fathom 3.0 not recording
• fathom desktop app not recording

Other Fathom errors

• Fathom Notetaker Not Joining Meeting
• Fathom Not Joining Microsoft Teams Meetings
• Fathom Not Working With Google Meet
• Fathom Bot Stuck in Waiting Room
• Fathom Can't Rejoin After Being Removed
• How to Remove Fathom From Zoom Meetings
• How to Cancel Fathom Subscription
• Fathom Free Plan AI Summary Limit Reached