Step 1: Join via a computer

Slides may be difficult to read on a phone.

Step 2: Optimize your internet connection

Technical issues during a webinar often stem from slow internet connections on the attendee side.

• Check your connection using this link or a similar site. A download/upload figure of 2 Mbps (mega bytes per second) or above is usually adequate for a Zoom webinar. If yours is lower, or if your ping time figure is >500 ms, consider joining the session in a different location with a stronger connection.

• Do not use Wi-Fi: instead, connect your computer directly to the router via an ethernet/LAN cable.

• Minimize data usage: ensure no-one else on the same network is playing online video games, downloading large files, or streaming videos during the session. Ideally, all other devices on a home network will be in airplane mode.

Step 3: Optimize your device

The apps, settings, and background processing of your computer (or phone) can also affect webinar quality.

• Use the latest version of Zoom. You can download this here.

• Close all other programs and apps during the session.

• Close all unnecessary browser tabs during the session.

Step 4: Optimize your Zoom settings

• Check your audio: Click or tap the audio settings button in the lower left of the Zoom webinar screen and confirm the correct speakers are selected. If you are having audio issues on a laptop, it may help to disconnect from any additional connected screens.

• Manage subtitles: If you would like to see automatically generated subtitles, then:

  • Click or tap on the ‘Live Transcript’ icon. This is located in the menu at the bottom of the Zoom webinar window.

  • Select ‘Show Subtitle’ in the menu. Automatically generated subtitles will now appear as the presenter is speaking.

  • To turn the subtitles off, go to the same tool bar and select ‘Hide Subtitle’.

• Manage the chat: We like seeing messages from around the world, but not everyone appreciates this. To stop chat notifications appearing on your screen:

  On a computer:

  • Click on the ‘Chat’ icon to open the chat window. This is located in the menu at the bottom of the Zoom webinar window.

  • Click the drop-down arrow at the top of the chat window and select ‘Pop out’.

  • Move the chat window off-screen.

  On a phone:

  • Tap ‘More’ in the menu at the bottom right of the Zoom window.

  • Select ‘Chat’ in the drop-down menu.

  • The chat will open; tap the bell icon at the top right.

  • In the pop-up, select ‘Mute’ to stop chat messages appearing.