These tips should be helpful for you as you try to improve your meeting technical quality
- Split Audio and Video: Zoom and other platforms allow you to connect to the audio component of your conference with your phone. Look at the phone number and conference ID on the meeting invite, and use your phone for audio, and your computer only for video connection.
- Turn off video (unless necessary). Video increases bandwidth demands, even more if multiple people are sharing their video at the same time. A good practice is to use video at the beginning, but you can ask people to cut their video for all but the presenter/host.
- Check your environment.
- Not a good idea for you or anyone else in your household to be streaming great Netflix programs like the Tiger King while simultaneously trying to stream your class Zoom session.
- Be aware of how many people are using the internet in your household. The more people actively using the same internet connection will experience more problems.
- How far are you from your router? Could there be any interference from other devices (Microwave ovens are a frequent culprit).
- WiFi is less reliable and inconsistent especially for streaming. If at all possible, plug directly into your cable modem with an ethernet cable..
- Check your technology:
- Sometimes one will need to reboot their computer to get better performance.
- Sometimes rebooting one’s internet router will improve performance. Contact your internet service provider for specific instructions on how best to do this if you aren’t already familiar with this process.
- Some older computers might not be able to handle the video requirements to adequately process Zoom video streams.
- Check if you have other open software that may be accessing the web. It may be useful to close any other non-essential applications
- You might consider using another computer/laptop or replacing your existing computer/laptop.
- How about your home network?
- Sometimes people have lower level’s of internet service. They may need to call their internet service provider to see if there is an option for faster service. Sometimes increasing speed is a switch they flip on their end that will magically increase speed (most likely for an increased fee). Sometimes they may need to send out new equipment and/or a tech to increase speed. Sometimes faster options aren’t available in your area. You may need to explore other internet providers.
- Mobile hotspotting is a notoriously bad and inconsistent internet connection, especially now that so many people are at home relying on it. Consider getting cable/DSL/fiber options with either Comcast or Centurylink
- If your router is more than 6 years old, you may benefit of updating it to a newer model.