Sometimes, you'll have to do a Zoom meeting with a less than perfect connection--maybe you're traveling and the hotel WiFi is really slow, maybe other members of your family are in Zoom meetings at the same time, maybe your home WiFi is just not that great. You can't always fix this completely, but there are a few steps you can take to optimize your meeting quality.
1. Move your device closer to the WiFi router.
Are you Zooming from the tip of the front lawn, the depths of the basement, or the furthest corner of the attic? Try moving closer to the router! This is a simple first step you can take to improve your connection, and it may solve some of your meeting quality issues.
2. Use an ethernet connection if you have one available.
Another quick thing that can improve your connection immensely is using a wired connection--Chromebooks do not have ethernet ports, but you can buy a USB-C to ethernet adaptor online for just a few dollars.
3. Limit the number of devices using your network during the meeting.
Is your little sibling having a Netflix marathon? Are your parents working from home and often using Zoom? You can't always make everyone in the household go screen-free while you participate in your meeting, but asking family members to cut back on unnecessary network activities, like streaming, can help speed up your meetings.
4. Close other Chrome apps/windows to free up CPU.
Your Chromebook only has so much processing power, so if you have a million tabs open in the background while you try to do your Zoom meeting, it might be struggling to keep up. Before your meeting, close any tabs, windows, and apps that you won't be using during the meeting, so that all of your processing power can go to running Zoom!
5. Limit video and microphone use.
It's fun to see your classmate's faces while you're in Live Class, but unfortunately having your video and microphone on can make your Zoom meeting slower. Try turning those on only when you need to (like when you're speaking) and keeping them off when you don't.
6. Call in for audio with a phone.
If you're really struggling to hear your teacher, you can call in to the meeting by phone to hear the audio on a different connection. To do that, click the arrow next to the microphone in Zoom and click Switch to phone audio. Click on the Join by Phone tab, and then use a phone to dial one of the phone numbers listed (it doesn't matter which one) and to enter the meeting and participant ID's. Once you're in, you can hear your teacher through your phone instead of your computer, and you can also talk through your phone if you unmute yourself, but you'll still be able to see your teacher on your computer.
7. Remove any electronic devices from the immediate area
Are there any electronic devices that may be affecting things like the audio in your area? The microphone may be picking up extra noises in the immediate area, causing what may sound like audio issues.
Still having trouble with Zoom, or have more questions? Feel free to reach out to the tech team for extra support.