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How to Fix Poor Video and Audio Quality When Working From Home

Applies toZoomMicrosoft TeamsWebex
4 min fix Updated 10 Jul 2026

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Move physically closer to your Wi-Fi router, or plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer to bypass wireless interference entirely.

Checked against Microsoft 365 Roadmap, Microsoft Learn - Microsoft Teams client and between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Summary ​

"You're breaking up," or "You sound like a robot" are the most common phrases heard in remote work. When your video freezes or your audio drops out during a Zoom or Teams meeting, 99% of the time it is an issue with your home Wi-Fi network, not the software itself. This guide helps you diagnose and fix poor connection quality.

Symptoms ​

  • Coworkers say your audio is cutting out or sounds robotic
  • Your video feed is blurry, blocky, or completely frozen
  • Zoom/Teams displays a warning saying "Your network bandwidth is low"
  • You get disconnected from meetings entirely

Before You Start ​

  • You must be on your home Wi-Fi network

Instructions ​

1. The Quick Fix (During a Meeting) ​

Three changes made mid-call free up enough bandwidth to rescue the meeting.

If you are currently in a meeting and everything starts breaking up, do this immediately to save the call:

  1. Turn off your video camera. Transmitting HD video takes massive amounts of bandwidth. Turning it off leaves all the bandwidth for your microphone.
  2. Close all other apps. If you have 50 Chrome tabs open, or you are downloading a large file in the background, close them immediately.
  3. Turn off Virtual Backgrounds. Blurring your background or using an image takes significant processing power. If your laptop is overheating, it will struggle to process the video. If people still say you are breaking up with your camera and background effects switched off, the connection itself is short of bandwidth. Continue to Step 2 once the meeting ends.

2. Check Your Network Speed ​

If you consistently have bad quality, you need to prove whether your internet provider (like Comcast or AT&T) is giving you the speed you pay for.

  1. Open your web browser and go to fast.com or speedtest.net.
  2. Let the test run.
  3. You are looking at two numbers:
    • Download Speed: (How fast you receive data). You need at least 15 Mbps for smooth video calls.
    • Upload Speed: (How fast you send data). This is the most critical number for video calls. You need at least 5 Mbps. If this number is below 2 Mbps, you will always look and sound terrible to others.

If both numbers clear those thresholds and calls still break up, raw speed is not the limit — where your computer sits on the network is. Continue to Step 3.

3. The Physical Environment (Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet) ​

Wi-Fi signals hate physical obstacles. Walls, microwaves, and distance all destroy your internet speed.

  1. Move closer to the router: If your home office is on the second floor and your Wi-Fi router is in the basement, your signal is likely very weak. Move to the same room as the router for an important call.
  2. Use an Ethernet cable: The ultimate, permanent fix for bad home internet is to plug an Ethernet cable directly from your laptop (or docking station) into the back of your Wi-Fi router. A hardwired connection is immune to Wi-Fi interference. If the picture and sound are no better sitting beside the router or plugged straight into it, something else on your home network is taking the bandwidth. Continue to Step 4.

4. Who Else is Using the Internet? ​

Your home internet acts like a single pipe of water. If someone else turns on a hose, your water pressure drops.

  • If you are on a very important client call, ask your family members to pause downloading massive video games (Xbox/PlayStation updates are notorious for killing home internet) or streaming 4K Netflix movies.

If calls still break up over an Ethernet cable with nothing else using the connection, the line into your home is the limit rather than your setup. Give your internet provider the upload speed you measured in Step 2 and the times of day it drops — and if the trouble only shows up on work calls, raise a ticket naming the app, that same upload figure, and the dates and times of the meetings that broke up.

Troubleshooting ​

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
Speed test is fast, but Zoom is still terribleVPN InterferenceIf your company requires a VPN, disconnect from the VPN (if allowed) while on the video call to improve speed
Only my audio is bad, video is fineBad microphoneYour internet might be fine, but you are using a cheap built-in laptop mic. Use a dedicated USB headset
Router requires restarting every dayFailing hardwareIf your Wi-Fi router is more than 5 years old, it may be failing. Contact your internet provider for a replacement

Last updated:

Frequently asked questions

Why is my video lagging if my internet speed test is fast?
Speed tests measure overall bandwidth, but video calls require stability (low latency and zero packet loss). A fast Wi-Fi connection can still drop packets if there is interference from walls or microwaves.
How can I stop my audio from cutting out during meetings?
Turn off your video camera. Video requires significantly more bandwidth than audio; turning it off frees up your connection to prioritize smooth, uninterrupted voice.