Video freezing during meetings

Hey @LouiseTLC 

Video freezing while audio continues is a classic sign of bandwidth strain or CPU overload attempting to process the video stream.

1. Optimize Zoom Settings for Performance

Check these specific settings within the Zoom desktop application to reduce the load on your system and network:

• Disable HD Video: Go to Settings> Video and uncheck the "Enable HD" option. High Definition (720p/1080p) requires significantly more bandwidth and CPU power.

• Turn off Non-essential Visual Features:

  • In Settings > Background & Effects, ensure you are not using a complex Virtual Background or Studio Effects. These are CPU-intensive, especially if you haven't downloaded the required resources fully. Use "None" or a simple, static image if possible.

  • In Settings > General, uncheck "Display up to 49 participants per screen in Gallery View" if it is enabled.

• Enable Hardware Acceleration: Ensure that Zoom is utilizing your Apple Chip's capabilities. Go to Settings> Video> Advanced and make sure the options under "Video rendering method" and "Hardware acceleration" are set to their recommended or enabled defaults.

2. Check Network Stability and Bandwidth

A highly stable connection is crucial for uninterrupted video.

• Test Your Speed and Jitter: Run a few online speed tests (search for "internet speed test") to check your download and upload speeds. More importantly, look for ping and jitter (a measure of network stability). High jitter causes freezing.

  • Recommendation: Zoom recommends 3 Mbps upload/download for Group HD video.

• Use a Wired Connection (Ethernet): If possible, connecting your MacBook directly to your router via an Ethernet adapter will almost always provide a faster, more stable connection than Wi-Fi.

• Reduce Network Competition: During meetings, ensure other devices in your home are not streaming 4K video, gaming, or downloading large files.

• Check Router/Modem Status: Briefly cycle the power on your internet modem and router.

3. Verify Apple Chip (M-series) Compatibility and App Status

Even with the latest download, ensure the Zoom application is running natively:

• Check for Native Apple Silicon Version: On your Mac, open Activity Monitor> CPU tab. Find "zoom.us" in the list. Under the "Kind" column, it should say "Apple" or "Universal" (which includes Apple Silicon code). If it says "Intel," the application is running via Rosetta 2, which can increase CPU load and heat. You may need to ensure you downloaded the specific "Mac with Apple Chip" version from the Zoom download page.

The echo is a problem for other attendees, but its source is almost always your computer's audio setup.

1. Adjust Speaker and Microphone Placement/Volume

An echo occurs when your microphone picks up the sound coming out of your speakers.

• Use Headphones/Earbuds (Strongly Recommended): This is the most effective and reliable solution. Using headphones prevents the speaker sound from entering the microphone entirely.

• Lower Speaker Volume: If you must use your internal speakers, lower the volume.

• Adjust Microphone Sensitivity: In Zoom Settings> Audio, check the box for "Automatically adjust microphone volume". If the echo persists, uncheck it and manually lower the input volume to a level that captures your voice clearly but not the sound coming from your speakers.

2. Check Zoom's Echo Cancellation

Zoom has built-in features to mitigate echoes:

• Ensure Suppress Background Noise is Enabled: In Settings> Audio> Suppress background noise, try setting it to Auto or High. This helps filter out repetitive sounds, including speaker leakage.

If the problem is severe and affects multiple attendees:

• Mute When Not Speaking: As a host, or as a general attendee, mute your microphone immediately when you are not actively talking. This is the ultimate fix for a disruptive echo.