Having problems with network speed at your home while trying to work or learn? Here are some tips to get a better experience:
Your environment
- Ask family/roommates to refrain from streaming movies or any other high data use activities.
- Turn off non-essential “smart devices”.
- Reboot your internet router.
- Use a wired connection (if possible). If using Wifi, try to be as close to the router as possible.
- Toggle your laptop wifi connection off, then on to reset your connection.
Your computer
- Disable non-essential programs that auto-load when you start your computer.
- Close all applications that are not currently needed.
- Clear your browser cache.
- Reboot your computer every morning.
Webex, Collaborate (and any application using your camera and microphone)
- Use the PC’s device settings to lower the camera’s resolution prior to starting the meeting (ie. drop to 720p or 480p instead of 1080p).
- Share your camera and microphone only when needed.
- Good lighting - shine a desk lamp at the wall behind your computer to get soft reflected light on your face. Alternatively, put your computer in front of a north-facing window. Your camera will not have to work as hard and you will look better.
- Simple background - reduce the clutter behind you or at least remove the light from hitting it. Less information to send, and easier for the camera to focus.
- Using a headset is preferred, Users without headsets should be sure to be in a quiet area to prevent background noise.
- Record sessions so attendees can review what they may have missed. Upload presentations and scripts where attendees can find them. (others may have problems with connection - keep them in mind too)
- Mute attendees in large sessions or modify session settings (link to Webex / Collab FAQs).
- If possible in your application, monitor the connection status of attendees and/or chat to see if anyone may be missing anything. In Collaborate, keep the Attendees panel open to make this easier.