Network Quality Best Practices
To ensure the best network connection at home, and to avoid issues such as poor audio/video quality or being disconnected from web meetings, please try the following:
- Check your internet bandwidth using an online speed test. Popular tools include: Google Speed Test, and Speedtest by Ookla.
- 5 Mbps minimum for optimal quality (you may still see notice some intermittent issues depending on other network activity in your home)
- 20+ Mbps recommended to minimize most issues.
- 5 Mbps minimum for optimal quality (you may still see notice some intermittent issues depending on other network activity in your home)
- If possible, connect your PC directly to your home router using ethernet instead of over a wireless connection.
- If wireless is your primary way of accessing the internet, try bringing your device closer to the Wi-Fi router.
- Be sure any large downloads or video streaming (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon) has been paused prior to web meetings.
- Try turning off any unnecessary Bluetooth or wireless devices in your home during your online meeting. Examples include: Wireless Printers and Alexa/Google Home devices.
- If video is not required during your meeting, consider switching to audio only.
- If VPN access is not required during your meeting, consider temporarily switching it off and reconnecting to the service afterward.
- For Virginia Tech faculty, staff and students using VPN, please select the ‘VT Traffic over SSL VPN’ option whenever possible. This can improve internet performance for the user and leaves campus resources available for others who need them. VPN is not required to access Canvas, Zoom, library services, or the email and collaboration tools in Office or G Suite.
- For Virginia Tech faculty, staff and students using VPN, please select the ‘VT Traffic over SSL VPN’ option whenever possible. This can improve internet performance for the user and leaves campus resources available for others who need them. VPN is not required to access Canvas, Zoom, library services, or the email and collaboration tools in Office or G Suite.
- Check additional tips to manage your network connection.