Zoom throttles my internet speed

[bengrimm7]

For the last 4 months or so, when I use Zoom, it completely obliterates my internet connection, making the video freeze for several minutes at a time. Video meetings are essentially impossible, and since I work remotely as a consultant it has been an enormous headache. Within seconds of starting a meeting, I get a notification that my internet is unstable and the audio and video freeze to the point where I have to end the meeting.

My typical internet speed is very, very fast: 600-700 mbps download and 300-400 mbps upload. When I use Zoom, the download speed falls to 2-8 mbps and the upload under 1.... I am not exaggerating. In other words, Zoom reduces my connection speed by literally 99%. Turning off the video makes no difference. My internet speed remains throttled even after I close the Zoom meeting. I have to restart my entire computer to get my normal speed back.

I have tried removing and reinstalling the app completely and it did nothing to help. I have searched in vain online for help but only found a few other people with the same problem as me, but no solution. I am on a Mac running Sonoma 14.6.1. Zoom is completely updated. I am at the point where I am going to cancel my subscription because the app is functionally unusable.