6 Tips on How to Improve Your Video Call Quality

Quick Checklist: What Matters Most (Read This First)

Three Golden Rules of Video Call Quality

• Audio is primary (more important than video): people can communicate without video but not without sound.
• Jitter (delay variation) is worse than slow speed: stable 3 Mbps is better than unstable 10 Mbps.
• Lighting solves 60% of video problems: lighting matters more than your camera.

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What Affects Video Quality?

During online meetings, the quality and resolution of your video can change rapidly due to several factors to consider before starting an important discussion:

• The capabilities of your camera, microphone, and other input and output devices you plan to use during a virtual discussion;
• Bandwidth quality and internet connection speed are crucial for high-quality video and audio transmission;
• A high load on the central processor may interrupt the software’s operation, negatively affecting online events;
• Low battery power can slow down the software, leading to technical problems or the sudden termination of the conference due to device disconnection.

How to Get Better Video Quality?

Tip 1. Check Your Devices

Before each video call, take a minute to check the sound and video settings to prevent any issues in advance. We must remember that your browser or video conferencing application might mistakenly select the wrong microphone or camera, or your device might not be identified in the system.

What to verify:

• Which camera is selected (built-in or external)?
• Which microphone is active (built-in, headset, or separate mic)?
• Which speakers/headphones are configured for audio output?
• Perform a test call or device test within the application before joining.

Once everything is set up, make a trial call or test the devices to ensure everything goes smoothly before joining the meeting.

Tip 2. Choose Wired Connection When Possible

For video calls and online conferences, a stable connection is the most important factor. Although the Internet connection is much faster now than ten years ago, users still frequently experience audio interruptions or delays.

In most cases, the reason for this is the unstable operation of Wi-Fi. This method of connecting to the Internet is wireless and can be configured based on your network conditions. Keep in mind that other electronic devices or nearby Bluetooth signals can easily interrupt your connection.

For the best video conferencing experience, use wired connections. Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi and doesn’t depend on other connections on your network.

Tip 3. Reboot Your Wi-Fi

If you encounter any connectivity issues, don’t leave the success of your meeting to chance. In an emergency, reboot your WiFi to update your router settings and improve overall performance. Also, remember to check your internet speed regularly to ensure there are no issues with your provider or router.

Tip 4. Focus and Close Other Apps

Before the call, close all unnecessary applications and browser tabs to prevent overloading or overheating your CPU. It’s also important to close all other video conferencing applications, as they might use your microphone or camera, preventing you from connecting to the meeting properly.

Must-close applications:

• Other video conferencing apps (they consume your camera and microphone)
• YouTube, Netflix, streaming video
• Cloud sync services (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) — they hog bandwidth
• Unnecessary browser tabs (each uses memory)

Tip 5. Disable Your Camera

In cases of an unstable connection affecting sound quality, simply turn off the camera. In most cases, real-time voice communication is much more crucial than video.

Tip 6. Choose Reliable Video Communication Software

Look for online communication programs that perform well at low bandwidth and support high video resolution. The perfect software should be user-friendly and not require much time for employees and customers to onboard. The solution should work on various operating systems, including mobile ones, allowing you to communicate regardless of location.

Internet Requirements by Meeting Type

Pre-Call Checklist (5 Minutes Before)

• Internet connection verified (Ethernet or WiFi close to router?)
• Correct devices selected (camera, microphone, headphones)
• All background apps closed (YouTube, Dropbox, other video apps)
• Lighting checked (light in front, not behind)
• Headphones enabled (not built-in mic)
• Test call completed
• Notifications disabled (Do Not Disturb / Focus Assist)
• Background is clean (no clutter, background slightly out of focus)
• Camera is at eye level (not below or above)