6 Tips on How to Improve Your Video Call Quality
Quick Checklist: What Matters Most (Read This First)
|
Factor |
Impact on Quality |
How to Check |
Difficulty to Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet Connection |
Critical |
Speed test |
⭐⭐ (medium) |
|
Lighting |
Very High |
Turn on camera |
⭐ (easy) |
|
Audio Equipment |
Critical |
Use headphones |
⭐⭐ (varies) |
|
Background Apps |
High |
Task Manager/Activity Monitor |
⭐ (easy) |
|
Camera/Microphone |
High |
Check app settings |
⭐⭐ (medium) |
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.
Most platforms have built-in device tests:
Settings → Devices → Test Audio/Video
Run this check before important calls to catch configuration issues early.
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 (Zoom, Teams, etc.) that actively use your camera and microphone
- Streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and Twitch (consuming bandwidth and system resources)
- Cloud sync services (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) that run in the background and hog bandwidth
- Unused browser tabs and extensions that drain RAM and reduce performance
Mac: click upper right corner, select “Do Not Disturb” (blocks notifications)
Windows: press Windows key + A, enable “Focus Assist”
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.
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Internet Requirements by Meeting Type
|
Meeting Type |
Participants |
Minimum Speed |
Recommended |
Video Quality |
Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
One-on-one |
2 |
1 Mbps |
3-4 Mbps |
360p |
HD |
|
Small group |
3-6 |
2 Mbps |
5-8 Mbps |
720p |
HD |
|
Group meeting |
7-10 |
4 Mbps |
10-15 Mbps |
1080p |
HD |
|
Presentation + screen share |
10+ |
5 Mbps |
15-20 Mbps |
1080p |
Compressed |
|
Large HD conference |
20+ |
10 Mbps |
25+ Mbps |
1080p+ |
Compressed |
Pre-Call Checklist (5 Minutes Before)
- Internet connection verified (wired Ethernet or strong WiFi signal near router).
- Correct audio/video devices selected (camera, external microphone, headphones).
- Background apps and bandwidth-heavy programs closed (YouTube, Dropbox, Zoom, Teams).
- Lighting optimized (key light in front of you, avoid backlighting/shadows).
- Headphones enabled with noise cancellation (avoid built-in laptop mic).
- Quick test call completed (check audio, video, and screen sharing).
- Notifications disabled (enable Do Not Disturb / Focus Assist mode).
- Professional background setup (clutter-free, slight blur/virtual background).
- Camera positioned at eye level (stable mount, flattering angle).
FAQ
I have an important video meeting, can I just buy a better webcam and skip the settings?
No, your webcam is only ~20% of professional video quality. Lighting (~40%) and audio (~40%) have a bigger impact on how you’re perceived. Investing €50 in a ring light and USB headphones with a dedicated mic will deliver noticeably clearer video calls than spending €500 on a premium webcam without proper lighting or sound setup.
I’m on a mobile network (4G/5G) for video calls, is optimization worth it?
Yes, but with adjustments. For professional video conferencing on cellular data: disable HD video, prioritize audio quality, and turn off background cloud auto-sync. Note: 5G often shows high speed but suffers from jitter and packet loss that standard speed tests don’t reveal. For important calls, switch to a stable WiFi connection or use a mobile hotspot with Ethernet adapter when possible.
How much does it cost to set up the “perfect” home video studio for remote work and video calls?
Budget tier (around €50): LED ring light and wired headset with built-in mic, suitable for basic video calls.
Mid-tier (around €150): add USB condenser microphone and noise-canceling headphones, ideal for frequent video conferencing or streaming.
Professional tier (€400 and above): add 4K webcam or mirrorless camera, key and fill studio lighting, and acoustic treatment panels. For most remote workers and professionals, the mid-tier setup delivers the best balance of quality and value.
I see myself in preview with a 2-second delay during video calls, is that normal?
No, significant preview lag indicates a problem. Common causes: (1) weak or unstable internet connection, (2) high CPU usage from background apps, (3) outdated router firmware or poor WiFi signal.
Quick fix: close unnecessary apps, restart your device, check WiFi signal strength, then restart your router. If the delay persists, contact your ISP to check for network latency or bandwidth throttling.
What metrics should I watch in internet speed tests for video calls and video conferencing?
Download speed matters, but for video calls prioritize ping (latency) and jitter (connection stability). Ideal values: ping under 30ms, jitter under 10ms. Even a 50 Mbps connection with jitter above 100ms will cause lag, frozen video, and dropped audio during video conferencing. Also check upload speed and packet loss for best results.
I’m in an office with bad WiFi and the company won’t provide Ethernet, what can I do for better video call quality?
Try these steps: (1) Ask IT to enable Quality of Service (QoS) priority for video conferencing traffic on the router, (2) position your device close to the WiFi access point for stronger signal, (3) disable HD video during large group calls to reduce bandwidth usage, (4) turn off background cloud sync and auto updates. If connection issues persist, use your mobile phone on cellular data as a backup hotspot, as 4G or 5G networks can sometimes offer more stable latency than congested office WiFi.
Will optimization help if my ISP is simply bad?
Partially, connection optimization can improve video call quality by 30 to 50 percent, but your maximum performance is limited by your ISP’s actual bandwidth and reliability. If your internet provider regularly throttles speeds or has network congestion, speed tests and ping checks will reveal it. Contact your provider to troubleshoot, or consider switching to a more reliable ISP if available in your area.
About the Author
Diana Shtapova is a product specialist and technology writer with three years of experience in the unified communications industry. At TrueConf, she leverages her deep product expertise to create clear and practical content on video conferencing platforms, collaboration tools, and enterprise communication solutions. With a strong background in product research and user-focused content development, Diana helps professionals and businesses understand core product features, adopt new technologies, and unlock the full potential of modern collaboration software.
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