The internet has totally changed the way we communicate.
Instead of driving all the way across town to see friends or family, we can now connect in seconds through video calls.
This is why a reliable and top video calling app like FaceCall is more important than ever. It delivers high-quality calls, even on weak internet connections.
Fortunately, there are practical ways to make your calls run smoothly.
We are sharing 10 tips to improve video call quality on slow internet.
Let’s get started.
Tip 1: Use a Wired (Ethernet) or Strong Wi-Fi Connection When Possible
When possible, plug in with an Ethernet cable. A wired connection is generally more stable than Wi-Fi. It avoids interference from walls and nearby devices, which helps maintain consistent speed.
When Ethernet is not an option, improve your Wi-Fi by moving closer to the router. This is done to reduce obstacles between you and the router signal.
Even then, FaceCall works in your favor. It is the best video calling app with low data usage.
Its adaptive bitrate streaming technology modifies video quality automatically to match your speed.
Unlike Zoom or Google Meet, which often just freeze or go choppy if your Wi-Fi drops. FaceCall automatically lowers the resolution to keep the conversation smooth, rather than letting the picture freeze
FaceCall, being one of the best video calling apps, was built for low-bandwidth environments. It keeps you visible and audible when others might flicker or pixelate. Its intelligent streaming provides clearer and steadier calls on shaky connections.
Tip 2: Close Unneeded Apps, Tabs, and Large Downloads
Before you join a call, give your network a quick cleanup. Heavy downloads, cloud backups, and streaming tabs can all quietly consume your upload bandwidth. This causes the video call to stutter.
Close unnecessary apps, pause large updates, and request that anyone using your Wi-Fi hold large transfers until the meeting ends. When you can, schedule heavy activity for off-hours so your home connection is free when it is needed.
Too many programs running at once can also slow your computer and interfere with video encoding. Shut down anything you do not need during the call, which frees up bandwidth and processing power.
FaceCall is designed to adapt to fluctuating bandwidth. It works best when your device is not overloaded.
With fewer background tasks, FaceCall can concentrate more of your connection on quality video and audio. It often remains stable in situations when heavier apps such as Zoom or Google Meet begin to struggle.
Tip 3: Lower Visual Overhead Inside the Video Call App
Small user interface changes can have a significant impact on call quality, particularly over a weak connection. Keep the focus on essentials during the video call and dial back the extras.
- When your internet connection is weak, avoid background effects such as blur or background replacement. These effects increase CPU load. It often pushes the video bitrate upward.
- Disable any beauty filters if your device is struggling with a slow internet connection during a video call. Every visual effect requires processing effort that could be better spent on maintaining video quality.
- When sharing your screen, select the 720p or “text-optimized” option for slides. This keeps details readable without overloading the connection.
These adjustments lessen the extra load on your device. This, in turn, reduces the bitrate spikes that lead to freezes and pixelated video during motion.
Tip 4: Update, Restart, and Check Your Device Settings
The problem is not always with the network; it can also be with the device.
Make sure your computer or phone is up to date:
- Install the latest operating system updates.
- Refresh the browser.
- Update your video calling app.
- If the device has been running for several hours, give it a quick restart.
- Low battery or an overworked processor
All of the above-mentioned causes might create glitches, stutters, and even end a call unexpectedly.
Next, keep the setup simple. Close any background apps, particularly those that sync, stream, or run antivirus scans in real time.
Staying on the latest version of FaceCall makes sure that you get the newest performance improvements. It runs smoothly even on older hardware.
A fresh restart also clears memory leaks and remaining processes, which lets FaceCall’s adaptive streaming do its job without friction.
The same hygiene helps on any platform. Whatever you prefer, be it FaceCall, Zoom, or Google Meet.
A few minutes of gadget maintenance can transform a choppy call into a high-quality video conversation.
Tip 5: Mute Your Microphone When Not Speaking
Did you know calls can get noisier and use more data when everyone leaves their mics on?
Too many open microphones mean more background sound to process and send.
When you are not speaking, mute your microphone to reduce network load. It keeps the conversation clear and prevents feedback loops.
Zoom’s guidelines also recommend muting while you are not speaking.
FaceCall’s audio is highly efficiently encoded, so it sounds clear even over slow networks.
When idle microphones are silenced, FaceCall can free up more bandwidth for those who are speaking and your video feed.
In fact, FaceCall’s smart audio compression means you will notice less disruption.
Even when multiple people are talking at the same time, FaceCall filters out noise better than standard apps. This allows you to hear what’s important without the faults that you may encounter with heavier video call applications.
Make it a team habit. Mute when you’re listening; unmute when you have anything to say.
A little modification in etiquette improves clarity and makes every meeting feel more professional.
Tip 6: Lower Video Quality or Turn Off Video if Needed
Video takes far more data than audio.
When your internet connection gets really slow, switch off your camera or lower your video quality.
When the connection is unstable, the Michigan State guide recommends “Stop Camera Feed” and even disabling HD.
Most apps allow you to manually turn off HD or pause video. FaceCall simplifies this. Its adaptive streaming feature automatically adjusts the video quality to match your bandwidth.
When your signal dips, FaceCall reduces resolution on the fly so your call keeps going, rather than freezing up. It would transition automatically to standard definition while maintaining continuity.
Unlike Zoom, which often loses frames or forces you to turn off the video altogether.
Tip 7: Balance the basics before calling: lighting, camera, and mic
A strong connection matters, but so does your setup. Poor lighting and room echo can make any call appear low quality.
Begin by stabilizing your setup:
- Place a simple lighting source in front of you, such as a lamp or a window. This is done to keep your face evenly lit and the camera’s exposure consistent.
- Next, use wired earbuds or a USB headset to reduce echo and block room noise.
- Finally, bring the camera up to eye level. Try not to move your head around too much.
All of this provides a consistent environment for the video encoder. In turn, this reduces the likelihood of bitrate spikes during motion.
You will look and sound more professional, and your call will hold up better when the connection gets tight.
Tip 8: Download a video app that is efficient on low bandwidth, like FaceCall
Modern video apps do more than just transmit images and sounds; they also maintain the connection in the background. Most rely on WebRTC, which includes built-in congestion control and adaptive bitrate, which raise or lower quality as your bandwidth fluctuates.
Newer codecs such as AV1 push this even further by delivering higher quality at lower bitrates, which is a significant advantage when your connection is constrained.
However, not all free video chat apps handle slow connections equally. FaceCall is built specifically for low-bandwidth environments. Its adaptive bitrate streaming continuously scales video and audio to fit your network, so the call keeps moving instead of hanging when the signal drops.
FaceCall also uses efficient compression to maintain sharp, high-definition video on less data.
In practice, this means that a FaceCall video looks clear when Zoom or Meet would be grainy or pixelated on the same internet.
Additionally, its lightweight design launches fast and runs securely even on older devices.
In group meetings, FaceCall’s streaming logic helps the connection stay consistent as more people join.
Next, we show you how to keep performance up with more participants.
Also Read: 5 Best Group Video Call Apps (Compared & Researched)
Tip 9: Be ready for multi-participant load
The more people on your call, the harder your device and connection have to work. Because every additional participant adds another incoming video stream to decode.
When your laptop or network starts to struggle as the room fills up, trim what you receive and what you send.
- Switch to Speaker View instead of Gallery View so you only see whoever’s talking and not every single person.
- Turn off incoming HD video if your app allows you. It reduces the amount of data your device must download and process.
- Keep your own camera off unless you are speaking. This will lower outbound bandwidth and lighten CPU/GPU load.
Use these adjustments in your daily calls to raise video quality.
Tip 10: Schedule Calls at Off-Peak Times and Prioritize Traffic
Internet speed rises and falls throughout the day.
Schedule essential calls during off-peak hours, such as early morning or late evening, when there are fewer people streaming on your network.
In addition, consider enabling Quality of Service (QoS) on your router. It lets you prioritize video traffic, so your call takes precedence over heavy tasks like Netflix or large downloads. This simple change prevents nonessential activity from crowding out your meeting.
Before you join, take a minute to run a quick speed test and confirm that your network firmware is up to date.
Small maintenance steps like these often translate into a noticeably steadier call.
These options work together to provide the clearest, most dependable calls possible on your connection.
Conclusion
Yes, you CAN have clear, reliable video calls, even on a slow connection. It takes a combination of good habits and the right tools.
When you pair these habits, like the tips above, with a video call platform built for low bandwidth, a fragile call becomes a dependable one.
FaceCall is designed for this exact situation.
Do you want your next meeting to be sharper, safer, and more stable?
Make FaceCall a part of your video call toolkit.
Download FaceCall, and put these tips into practice.
Give yourself a more relaxed video calling experience using the internet you already have.
