- If your Internet connection is slow or lagging:
- Close other data-intensive apps, e.g. Facebook and streaming (including by others sharing your wireless network, if possible).
- Work close to your wireless router, or physically plug the ethernet cable into your computer if it has an ethernet port.
- Consider temporarily turning off your video and only maintaining the audio connection. Sometimes, running the webcam will use up your bandwidth in a way that can make communication challenging. Turning off the video should improve communication quality and stability.
- If you have unlimited data on your cell phone plan, use your cell phone as a hotspot:
On iPhone and iPad:
- Go to Settings > Personal Hotspotand toggle it on (if you don’t see Personal Hotspot in Settings, tap Cellular > Personal Hotspot). Make note of the Wi-Fi password.
- Open the Wi-Fi menu on the device you need to connect to the internet. Look for your iOS device (ex: Ben’s iPhone), tap it, and enter the password that appears on your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot screen. Re-enter the Big Blue Button/Zoom session using the link you received via email.
On Android:
- This will depend on which device you are using. Navigate to Settings and search for tether. Look for hotspot, wifi hotspot, tethering, Turn it on. Make note of any password.
- Open the Wi-Fi menu on the device you need to connect to the internet. Look for your Android device (e.g. G7 ThinQ_6693), tap it, and enter the password that appeared on your Android. Re-enter the Big Blue Button/Zoom session using the link you received via email.
- If your computer processor is slow (the computer is older or storage space is full), close any data-intensive apps that you are not using.
- If you get feedback or an echo when you are talking, turn down your speakers. The output is too loud. Use the same method you would use to turn down a song or Youtube video that is playing too loudly.
- For computers, at the top of your keyboard, press:
- If you have external speakers, turn down the volume knob.
- For tablets and cell phone, use the physical volume buttons on the side of your device to lower the output volume.
- Don’t turn the sound off—only lower it. You still want to be able to hear other people speaking.
- Some devices are very sensitive and will still generate some echo.
- Try wearing earbuds or a headset if you have them.
- If you encounter audio issues, check that Bluetooth headphones are not inadvertently connected (e.g. AirPods). For a demonstration of testing your audio, watch this Zoom support video (end at 1:09).
- If your microphone is not working, chat the Online Learning team at VCLhub.com for immediate support during class meetings.
- For computers, at the top of your keyboard, press:
Webinar troubleshooting
Updated on April 16, 2021