Use the Best Internet Connection Available.
A wired (Ethernet) connection is usually faster and more reliable than a wireless (WiFi) connection.
A wireless (WiFi) connection is usually faster and more reliable than a cellular (3G/4G/LTE) connection.
Prior to your Zoom meeting(s), plan to be in a location where you can access the fastest connection available.
Close unnecessary applications and avoid activities that crowd bandwidth.
This allows your computer to dedicate necessary resources to best run Zoom on your computer.
Activities that crowd bandwidth include:
- Large downloads and uploads
- Streaming music or video (ex: Netflix, Spotify, YouTube)
- Cloud backups and syncing (ex: OneDrive sync)
If your professor or moderator approves:
- When you are not speaking, mute your microphone.
- If you do not need to be on camera at all times, stop your video.
![On the lower left side of the bar in your Zoom meeting window, you can click the Microphone icon to mute or unmute yourself, and the Video icon to stop or start your video.](https://spu.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/36571672/zoom%20mute%20and%20stop%20video.png?version=1&modificationDate=1585215396450&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=550&height=48)
Disable HD webcam video.
In the Zoom Desktop Client, follow the below steps:
![In the Zoom desktop app, the Home icon is the furthest left icon located in the upper menu.](https://spu.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/36571672/zoom%20disable%200.png?version=1&modificationDate=1585215491870&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=452&height=257)
- Click the Gear icon for Settings:
![In the Zoom desktop app, the Gear icon is located to the upper right of the pane (beneath your profile icon).](https://spu.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/36571672/zoom%20disable%201.png?version=1&modificationDate=1585215492060&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=452&height=250)
- In the Settings window:
- Click the Video tab
- Uncheck "Enable HD"
![](https://spu.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/36571672/zoom%20disable%202.png?version=1&modificationDate=1585215491967&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=452&height=268)
- Close the Settings window.