
We’ve all been there. You just set everything up in time for the big weekly Zoom meeting - headphones (check), camera (check), quiet room (check). But just two minutes in you lose your connection.
Cue screaming.
We understand how frustrating technical issues can be so it’s time to do some IT detective work to discover exactly why your Zoom calls keep dropping out. Are your settings too much for your internet speed to handle? Is something else stealing your WiFi speed altogether? Let’s find out.
What are Zoom’s minimum upload and download speeds?
At a bare minimum, Zoom requires just 0.6 to 1.5 Mbps of upload and download to make a group call, however different types of calls, how many people are on it, different levels of video quality and whether you’re screen sharing or not all play a part in determining what speed you need.
Below we’ve broken down Zoom’s bandwidth requirements into the different types to ensure you get the best experience possible.
Recommended speed for meetings and webinar panellists:
Zoom speed requirements
| Type of Zoom Call | High-quality video | 720p HD video | 1080p HD video | Gallery view receiving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 video calling | 600kbps (up/down) | 1.2Mbps (up/down) | 3.8Mbps/3.0Mbps (up/down) | N/A |
| Group video calling | 1.0 Mbps/600kbps (up/down) | 2.6Mbps/1.8Mbps (up/down) | 3.8Mbps/3.0Mbps (up/down) | 2.0Mbps (25 views), 4.0Mbps (49 views) |
| Screen sharing only (no video thumbnail) | 50-75kbps |
| Screen sharing with video thumbnail | 50-150kbps |
| Audio VoIP | 60-80kbps |
| Zoom phone | 60-100kbps |
Recommended speed for webinar attendees:
| High-quality video |
720p HD video | 1080p HD video |
|---|---|---|
| 600kbps(down) | 1.2-1.8Mbps(down) | 2-3Mbps (down) |
For panellists video on:
| Screen sharing only (no video thumbnail) | 50-75kbps (down) |
| Screen sharing with video thumbnail | 50-150kbps (down) |
| Audio VoIP | 60-80kbps (down) |
Is your internet speed fast enough for Zoom?
As mentioned earlier, the minimum speed to run Zoom is just 0.6 to 1.5 Mbps so realistically your connection should be enough, even if you’re on NBN 25.
Check out the table below to find out how fast and slow different broadband speed tiers can be:
NBN Speed Tiers
| Tier | Maximum speed | Average evening speed |
| NBN 12 | 12Mbps | 10Mbps |
| NBN 25 | 25Mbps | 22Mbps |
| NBN 50 | 50Mbps | 47Mbps |
| NBN 100 | 100Mbps | 95Mbps |
| NBN 250 | 250Mbps | 200Mbps |
| NBN 1000 | 1,000Mbps | 400Mbps |
Read more about factors that can slow down your NBN here.
If you’re unsure about how fast your internet speed is, use our Speed Test tool to find out.
How can I optimise my Zoom connection?
Before you can optimise your internet speed, it’s important to understand how it works and is distributed. Check out our animation below to learn more about internet speeds.
There are a number of ways to make sure your internet speed is enough for making and receiving Zoom calls. These include:
- Disable certain Zoom settings that sap speed. These include switching off your camera, the ‘Touch up my appearance’ setting, removing virtual backgrounds and switching off ‘Enable HD’.
- Move your router into the room you’re working from or invest in a range extender to broaden your WiFi signal and set yourself as a priority. Chances are you’re simply too far from your router or in a dead zone.
- Close other programs. Running multiple programs and keeping too many tabs open is a surefire way to decrease your internet speed.
- Turn off WiFi on other devices. If you’re not using your phone during the call, consider switching the WiFi off - you’ll be surprised how many apps use WiFi in the background.
Connect an Ethernet cable directly to your computer for a faster, more dependable connection.
Shop around for a better internet speed
If you’ve worked out what internet speed is best for your home and perhaps you think you’re not getting the best internet speed for your household, here are some more broadband deals offered by a range of providers with unlimited data.
Switching NBN providers doesn’t have to be a nail-biting process. We’ve broken it down step-by-step to ensure you get exactly what you pay for.
Want more information about the NBN?
Got questions? We've got answers. Whether you want to know what the NBN is, how to connect, if you have to connect, how much it will cost, what the alternatives are, or something else entirely, check out our complete guide to the NBN.
Christie Graham
Digital Content Editor
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