Using Zoom

Improving your Zoom connection for online courses

If you are having issues with your Zoom connection during your online lessons there are number of steps you can take to try and fix them.

Try to improve your internet connection

• Consider using an ethernet cable in your laptop/PC. Wired connections are better than wireless (WiFi or cellular) connections.
• Try to use a WiFi connection wherever possible, rather than a mobile connection (3G/4G)
• Plan ahead for your Zoom call – join Zoom meetings from a location where you can use a fast, reliable internet connection.
• Some broadband providers offer apps/devices to help boost your connection. Contact your provider if you’re having problems.

Avoid other activities that will steal connection bandwidth

Don’t start other bandwidth-intensive activities just before, or during a Zoom meeting. People who share your connection on a WiFi router will be using your connection bandwidth so this will need to be managed if everyone is using the connection at the same time.

On your Zoom device—and as much as possible, on other computers and devices that share your Internet connection—avoid:

• large downloads
• large uploads
• streaming video (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube)
• online gaming (e.g. PlayStation, X-Box, PC)
• cloud file synchronizations (e.g. OneDrive, Google Back up and sync, Dropbox)
• other high-bandwidth activities

Other tips

• Mute your microphone when you’re not speaking: 
  When your microphone is on, Zoom will devote part of your Internet connection to an audio stream for you, even if you are not speaking. Mute your microphone when you do not need it, and you will allow Zoom use your Internet connection more effectively.
• Close other, unneeded applications on your computer:
  Zoom meetings can demand significant computer memory and processing power from your device. Closing other applications you do not need during the session, will help Zoom run better.
• Stop your webcam video when you don’t need it:
  If your tutor is okay with you doing so, start your video only when you need to show yourself on webcam, and stop your video when it isn’t needed. This isn’t ideal, as without video it’s hard to engage with other learners, so only do this as a last resort.
• Disable HD webcam video:
  Sending high definition (HD) webcam video requires more bandwidth than sending non-HD. Disabling HD video will free up more of your Internet connection for other parts of your Zoom meeting.