How to Improve Video Call Quality: Increase Quality for Zoom & Teams
We’ve all been there—your meeting is going slowly, and then suddenly:
“Ev-ry-th-ng g-ets ch-p-y, a-d no on- c-n un-erst-and y–!”
Not a great look, especially during an important work call.
The good news? There are steps you can take to reduce lag and improve video call quality of your Zoom and Microsoft Teams calls before your next meeting. From download speeds to router upgrades, let’s walk through the most common causes of lag and how to fix them.
What Causes Video Call Lag?
Lag happens when your network can’t keep up with the demands of a video call. A slow internet connection is usually the main culprit, but that’s not the only issue. Too many devices connected to your network, a weak Wi-Fi signal, or ISP throttling during peak hours can slow things down and cause a choppy video.
To better understand how your internet speeds work, and how you can improve video call quality, we need to look at the two main components: download speed vs upload speed.
Download vs Upload Speeds: What Matters for Video Calls?
Download speed is how fast your computer receives information from a server. Think streaming a video, browsing websites, or downloading files.
Upload speed is how fast your computer sends information to a server. Think uploading a video to social media, saving files to the cloud, or hosting a video call.
To improve video call quality, upload speed matters most. Ideally, you’ll want at least 5 Mbps (megabits per second) for uploads and 40 Mbps for downloads per device.
The average download speed in the US is 209.01 Mbps and the average upload speed is 61.98 Mbps, so most folks should meet these minimum requirements easily.
But if your internet is lagging, the best thing to do is…
Check Your Internet Speeds
Video calls need a stable connection, and both Zoom and Microsoft Teams have specific internet speed requirements. Before diving in, here is a quick guide on some terminology:
Mbps (Megabits per second)
Kbps (kilobits per second. 1 Mbps = 1,000 kbps)
720/180p – your monitor’s resolution (size)
HD – high-definition video
With that out of the way, you might be wondering: “What internet speed do I need for video conferencing?”
Zoom Minimum Requirements
- 1:1 Calls: 600kbps for basic video, 1.2 Mbps for HD (720p), 3.8 Mbps for Full HD (1080p).
- Group Calls: 1 Mbps minimum, 2.6 Mbps for HD, 3.8 Mbps for Full HD.
- Screen Sharing: 50–150 kbps.
- Audio Only: 60–80 kbps.
Microsoft Teams Requirements
- Audio Calls: 58–76 kbps.
- 1:1 Video Calls: 1.5 Mbps for HD, 4 Mbps for Full HD.
- Meetings: 2.5 Mbps for HD, 4 Mbps for Full HD.
- Screen Sharing: 250 kbps minimum, up to 4 Mbps for best quality.
You can find this information over on Zoom’s website, here and Microsoft’s website, here.
How to Test Your Internet Speed
Testing your speeds is easy. Just open Google and search “Internet speed test.” Run the test and compare the download and upload results to your internet plan and your video call software’s requirements.
If the speeds are slower than expected, you may need to troubleshoot to improve video call quality or contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to check for service-wide issues.
Out of these speeds, your upload speed is the most important speed for the best video calls.
Why Upload Speed Matters Most for Video Calls
During a video call, your computer is constantly uploading your video and audio to everyone else on the call. If your upload speed is lagging, you’ll experience choppy video, audio cutouts, and conversations that feel slow and out of sync.
When your upload speed is too low, it affects the entire call. Even if the other person has a perfect connection, your lag can disrupt the flow of the conversation.
How to Fix Video Call Lag
1. Lower Your Video Quality
The higher the video quality, the better speed you’ll need (See the requirements above). Fortunately, both Zoom and Teams allow you to change the quality of your stream to better suit your speeds. Here’s how:
Zoom
- Click the gear icon (settings) in Zoom.
- Click on “video” in the left-hand menu.
- Uncheck the box beside “Enable HD”
Bonus tips: There are a few other settings under “video” that can enhance your image quality. Try out adjust for low light, if you’re in a dim environment, or portrait lighting if you want to increase the brightness on your person while dimming the background.
Teams
- Click on the triple dots beside your profile picture at the top right and click settings and then devices.
- Under Video select your web camera and adjust the settings there as needed.
Note: not every version of Teams will allow you to adjust the image quality of your web camera. If your installed Teams application does not allow for this, you can also try the web browser version of Microsoft Teams.
2. Use a Wired Connection
If you’re struggling over Wi-Fi, plugging your computer directly into your router using an Ethernet cable can work wonders. A wired connection is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi, reduces lag, and can improve video quality.
3. Move Closer to Your Router or Use a Wi-Fi Booster
If a wired connection isn’t an option, try moving closer to your router. The closer you are, the stronger your Wi-Fi signal which can help improve video call quality. If that’s still not enough, consider purchasing a Wi-Fi booster or extender to extend the range of your connection.
4. Invest in A Quality Webcam
It’s easy to be tempted by a “good deal” on a cheap webcam, but these budget options often fall short when it comes to video quality. If you’re frequently on remote calls, spending a little extra on a high-quality webcam can make a big difference and improve video call quality. A good webcam not only makes you look more professional but also provides a sharper, clearer image without requiring you to constantly tweak your software settings.
Pro tip: Look for webcams that offer at least 1080p resolution and automatic lighting adjustments to fit any environment.
You can also check out some of the best webcams for remote work here.
5. Upgrade Your Router
If your router is more than 5 years old, it’s time for an upgrade. Older routers can’t keep up with the demands of modern internet usage, leading to slower speeds and inconsistent performance. Check with your ISP to see if they offer a newer, more powerful router to improve video call quality.
6. Check for Software Updates
Updating your software is important. They keep things running their best while providing important security and performance fixes. An outdated version of your video call software could be slowing things down without you even realizing it. You can go to your software’s main website or application market to confirm if you’re using the latest updates for an easy solution to improve video call quality.
7. Close Unnecessary Apps and Disconnect Extra Devices
Every device and app connected to your network eats up bandwidth. Too many devices or apps? Your internet speeds are going to feel it. Even background apps or browser tabs can interfere with your connection. You should go around and disconnect any unused device and close out any application that could be hogging bandwidth. This can easily improve video call quality.
8. Restart your router
Powering down your router is a fast and easy way to improve video call quality. Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This clears any stalled processes and refreshes your connection.
9. Watch for ISP Throttling
Your ISP can intentionally slow down your internet speeds without telling you. This can happen when you either exceed your internet data cap or have high network congestion.
You can check for throttling by running an internet speed test as we mentioned earlier. If your speeds are below expected numbers, and you’ve tried other methods for troubleshooting slow video calls, there’s a chance your ISP is throttling your internet.
When All Else Fails – Get Expert Help
If these tips didn’t solve your video call problems, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. We have a full blog on internet troubleshooting that dives into more advanced fixes, which you can check out here. But if that still doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to call in the experts.
At The20 MSP, we manage businesses across the country so we know how to keep remote users connected. Whether you need help to improve video call quality, upgrade your hardware, or enhance your remote setup, we’re here to help.
Reach out and let’s perfect your remote setup.
About The 20 MSP
As a leading provider of managed IT services, The 20 MSP serves thousands of businesses nationwide, including single and multi-location organizations, delivering white-glove service, secure and streamlined IT infrastructure, and 24/7/365 support. We believe in building lasting relationships with clients founded on trust, communication, and the delivery of high-value services for a fair and predictable price. Our client’s success is our success, and we are committed to helping each and every organization we serve leverage technology to secure a competitive advantage and achieve new growth.
