Classroom

Tips and Work-Arounds for Common Videoconferencing Problems

Whether it’s videoconferencing outages, frozen screens or lagging audio, use these tips to get around common remote learning tech issues in higher ed.

Nick Young

Nick Young is an audiovisual field solution architect focused on the technology requirements of the modern learning environment in both K–12 and higher education.

Are you experiencing videoconferencing outages? Frozen screens? Lagging audio?

Videoconferencing platforms have become the backbone of education during the pandemic, and having lectures disrupted by technology problems is a frustrating experience for everyone. But there is no need to panic. Here are some easy fixes and troubleshooting tips to help you return to your virtual classroom.

Fixes for Common Videoconferencing Problems

Issue: Multiple participants experience blurry screens and audio problems during screen sharing.

Work-Arounds:

Turn off the video-sharing function for all participants.
If that doesn’t help, turn off the presenter’s video-sharing function.
Still blurry? Try dialing in to the call from a mobile device.

Issue: A single attendee experiences a blurry screen and audio problems during screen sharing.

Work-Arounds:

This individual’s poor internet connection is most likely the culprit. This attendee should try debugging his or her internet connection.
If that doesn’t work, this individual can dial in to the call from a mobile device.

Issue: Participants cannot join the conference call.

Work-Around:

Switch to a different videoconferencing solution, such as Skype, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.

MORE ON EDTECH: Try these 5 videoconferencing tools for student group projects.

Issue: Participants cannot hear you.

Work-Arounds:

Try using a headset.
If that doesn’t work, try a wireless Bluetooth speaker.

How to Fix a Slow Internet Connection

If your internet connection is sluggish, it is probably overloaded. Check to see if anyone in your home or office is doing bandwidth-intensive tasks, such as streaming Netflix or downloading large files.

If you want to guarantee a stable internet connection during important conference calls, use hard-wired connections if you can.

Have a Backup Plan for When Tech Issues Arise

Since colleges and universities are likely to continue with remote learning and remote work for some time, it is critical that higher education institutions have a plan for shifting processes during videoconferencing outages.

So, have alternatives ready. Make sure all students, faculty and staff have multiple videoconferencing platforms and collaboration solutions downloaded and ready to use in case of service interruptions.

This article is part of EdTech: Focus on Higher Education’s UniversITy blog series.