Environment
U-M Zoom
Issue
How do I reduce my data and bandwidth use in a Zoom meeting?
Resolution
There are strategies you can try to reduce your bandwidth and data uses during Zoom meetings. For meetings where seeing each other isn't that important, turning your camera off is the easiest way to reduce the amount of data going in and out of your computer. Other strategies to try are listed below.
Providing video in HD resolution requires significantly more data, so consider turning it off when the quality of the image you're sending isn't critical. To turn off HD Video in your Zoom client:
- In your desktop Zoom client, click Settings (the gear icon)
- Click Video from the left-hand menu
- In the My Video section, uncheck the box beside Enable HD if it is checked
- When screen sharing, only share as long as necessary
Be sure to stop screen sharing when you no longer need to show your screen. Also, request that other users turn off their screen sharing when they are done with their example. For details about turning screen sharing on and off, see Share Your Screen.
- Use online collaborative documents rather than screen sharing
Collaboration services (e.g., Google and Dropbox) allow multiple people to view and edit simultaneously. These services can use less data than streaming video, while still allowing everyone to see changes as they happen.
- Mute your audio when not speaking
While it doesn't use as much bandwidth as your video, you can also reduce your bandwidth by muting your audio when you're not speaking. Use the Mute button in the bottom left corner of the Zoom screen to toggle your audio off and on.
- Use a phone to connect to Zoom meeting audio instead of using computer audio
The phone numbers connected to a Zoom session are usually included in the invitation you receive from the host under the heading "Dial by your location."
- Use the Cloud Recording option for Zoom meetings
Faculty and staff hosts who record Zoom sessions can take advantage of Zoom's cloud recording option. Cloud recordings are directly transferred to Video on Demand service and do not need to be uploaded from your computer. Note: Cloud recording is disabled for Zoom for Heath. When recording a meeting, you are only allowed to record to your local device.
- Limit high-bandwidth activities by others at your location
Other people using the Internet from your remote location will affect the bandwidth available to your Zoom session. Avoid having others stream video or music, play online games, or upload and download large files, as all of these activities can noticeably impact your Zoom performance.
- Avoid running other data-intensive applications during Zoom sessions
Improve your overall Zoom client performance by not running other computer applications during meetings that might also be using a large share of your bandwidth. Examples of data-intensive programs include streaming video or music sites or other websites with dynamic content.
Additional Information
This content was sourced from Cornell University.