Nothing is more frustrating than trying to take an important Zoom or Teams call and your Wi-Fi starts freezing, lagging, or cutting your audio out. It’s one of the most common problems people deal with, both at home and in small businesses. The thing is, slow Wi-Fi during video calls usually isn’t your internet provider’s fault. Most of the time, the issue is inside your network.
Here are the real reasons your Wi-Fi struggles during video calls and what you can do to fix it.
Your Router Is Too Far Away
Distance is one of the biggest factors in video call quality. The further you are from your router, the weaker your signal becomes. When the signal gets weak, your video call tries to compensate by lowering video quality or dropping frames, and eventually it freezes completely.
Move closer to the router or add access points so you have strong coverage throughout your space.
Your Router Is Too Old
A lot of people are still running Wi-Fi routers that are five to ten years old. Video calls require stable upload and download speeds, and older routers just can’t handle modern bandwidth requirements. If your router doesn’t support Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, you’re already behind.
Upgrading your router or switching to a mesh system fixes most video call issues instantly.
Interference Is Killing Your Signal
Other Wi-Fi networks, microwaves, Bluetooth devices, thick walls, and even baby monitors can interrupt your signal. When the Wi-Fi channels get congested, your video call becomes unstable.
Changing the Wi-Fi channel, moving your router, or using wired backhaul for mesh systems can improve reliability.
Too Many Devices Using Wi-Fi at the Same Time
If you’re taking a video call but someone else is streaming Netflix, another person is gaming, someone’s downloading files, cameras are uploading footage, and your smart home devices are all talking at once, your call will lag. Every device shares the same bandwidth.
A business-grade router or properly designed network can eliminate these issues by distributing traffic correctly.
You’re Using 2.4 GHz Instead of 5 GHz
The 2.4 GHz band travels farther but is slower and more crowded. The 5 GHz band is much faster and better for video calls. Many people don’t realize their device has connected to the wrong band.
Switch to 5 GHz or split your network into separate names so you know which one you’re connecting to.
Your Upload Speed Is Too Low
Most people only look at their download speed, but video calls rely heavily on upload speed. If you’re on a cheap or outdated plan, your upload speed might not be enough to keep your call stable.
A quick speed test can tell you if your upload rate is the problem.
Your Device Is the Bottleneck
Sometimes the computer or phone you’re using is overwhelmed or outdated. Too many apps running, old software, or weak Wi-Fi hardware can all cause lag.
Restarting your device or updating the software often helps.
Use Ethernet Whenever Possible
If you want the most stable video calls, plug your computer directly into the router with an Ethernet cable. It bypasses interference and gives you the best speed your network can provide.
Final Thoughts
Slow Wi-Fi during video calls is almost always fixable. With the right equipment, better placement, and proper network setup, your calls can run smoothly with no freezing or lagging. A stable network makes working from home or running a business much easier.
If you want someone to diagnose your Wi-Fi issues or set up a network that can handle video calls without problems, I can take a look and get everything running correctly.
Evan Fisher
480-529-2120
evan@arizonatechpros.com
