Lag during video calls can be so frustrating-be it an important meeting, catching up with friends, or attending an online class. Poor audio, frozen video, and delayed responses disrupt the flow of communication and even render conversations impossible. Knowing how to address and minimize lag significantly improves your experience and ensures smooth, high-quality calls. In this article, we go through some steps you can take to minimize internet lag during video calls and establish a more reliable connection.
Understanding Bandwidth Requirements
Video conferencing relies on a certain amount of bandwidth to operate effectively. The quality of your call, whether standard definition or high-definition, will determine how much bandwidth you will need. For instance, an HD video call requires a minimum upload and download speed of 3 Mbps. If multiple users in your household are streaming, gaming, or downloading big files on the same internet connection, then that may be your problem. This may be due to a weak connection plan; hence, upgrading to a faster one like fibre internet would make quite a difference because it offers higher speeds and more consistent performance compared to traditional options like DSL or cable.
Router Placement
The placement of your Wi-Fi router is very important regarding the quality of your Internet. In case it has been placed under some furniture or behind it in some corner of the house, then it may be a problem for the signal to reach your device. Put your router at a higher and preferably central location, away from walls or other major obstacles for optimal performance. A line of sight between the router and your primary video call device will have a direct impact on lag and strength of a signal.
Device Overload
Most modern households have multiple devices connected to the internet at one time, whether it be smartphones, laptops, smart TVs, or IoT gadgets. These vie for bandwidth and cause congestion, particularly during peak times of the day.
To minimize lag, disconnect devices you aren’t using while on your video call. Many routers also have Quality of Service settings, which let you prioritize video call traffic over other activities, such as downloads or streaming.
Ethernet For Lag Reduction
While Wi-Fi is convenient, it isn’t always the most reliable option for video calls, especially in larger homes or areas with interference. Using a wired Ethernet connection provides a more stable and faster internet connection that can drastically reduce lag. If your video call device supports Ethernet, connecting it directly to your router can eliminate issues caused by weak Wi-Fi signals and provide a consistent experience.
Software Updates and Optimization of Devices
An older version of software or an overburdened device might cause slow performance in video calls. Keep your video conferencing applications updated, as developers often release patches for various reasons, such as enhancing the performance and resolving bugs.
Reboot your device before an important call to free the memory and kill non-required background applications that may interfere with the system resources.
Minimizing Network Interference
This includes other wireless devices that interfere with it: microwaves, baby monitors, and even a neighbor’s Wi-Fi network. Changing your router to a different channel will reduce interference. Newer routers support dual-band, or even tri-band, frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Much the same, switching your device onto the 5GHz band will sometimes dramatically better this because it’s not as crowded.
Check Your Internet Plan and Monitor Usage
Oftentimes, it is your internet plan that has something to do with video call lags. Theoretically speaking, if you are subscribed to a plan insufficiently fast for a household’s requirements, you’ll want to make an upgrade in its tier of speed. Also, use online speed test tools to track the performance of your internet in a video call for the assurance of getting the value you pay for. If any discrepancies are recorded, contact them.
Smoothing out the internet lag on video calls means optimizing your setup and managing device use, and keeping your internet plan adequate for your needs. By fixing these problems, the experience of video calls will be smoother, and you will be able to connect to colleagues, loved ones, or classmates with as little frustration as possible.
