By
Christie Graham - Digital Content Editor
Last updated

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 video720p HD video1080p HD videoGallery view receiving
1:1 video calling600kbps (up/down)1.2Mbps (up/down)3.8Mbps/3.0Mbps (up/down)N/A
Group video calling1.0 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 thumbnail50-150kbps
Audio VoIP60-80kbps
Zoom phone60-100kbps

Recommended speed for webinar attendees:

High-quality video 720p HD video1080p 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 thumbnail50-150kbps (down)
Audio VoIP60-80kbps (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.

The fastest NBN providers according to the ACCC

Computer graph comparison

If you’re unsure about how fast your internet speed is, use our Speed Test tool to find out.

Internet Speed Test

Is your internet fast enough? Test internet speeds at your location with a single click.

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:

  1. 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’. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Close other programs. Running multiple programs and keeping too many tabs open is a surefire way to decrease your internet speed. 
  4. 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.

Why is my NBN so slow (and how can I speed it up)?

Man looking angry at his computer

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.

Broadband Plans

Plans with active links
#1
amaysim
amaysim
All Fixed Line nbn®

NBN50

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $40/mth off for the first 6 months ($30 NBN Sale + $10 Standard Intro offer), then $85/mth. Ends 04.10.26
$45/mth
Min. cost $45
#2
Belong
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®

NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
#3
Dodo
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick

nbn50 Unlimited Plan

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $87.99/mth*. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply.
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
#4
Tangerine Telecom
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®

Value Plus NBN 50/20

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month.
$64.90/mth
Min. cost $64.90
#5
Flip
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®

Unlimited Family nbn50

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $16.90/mth off for 6 months - $68/mth for first 6mths then $84.90/mth. New customers only. Ends 31.10.26. T&Cs apply.
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
#6
Superloop
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®

Extra-value nbn50/20

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
#7
Kogan Internet
Kogan Internet
All Fixed Line nbn®

Silver Unlimited

  • nbn® 50/17 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: Incl. $11/mth off for 12mths. $69.90/mth for first 12 months then revert back to $80.90/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
#8
Activ8me
Activ8me
Editor's Pick

Sky Muster Plus Premium 50

  • nbn® Satellite 36 Mbps
  • Unlimited Data
  • Deal: 2 months free! New residential customers only who sign up on an eligible plan with an RRP of under $85/mth. T&Cs apply
$74/mth
Min. cost $74

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

Christie Graham
Christie Graham is a tech industry expert and former head copywriter for Harvey Norman's Computers and Tech category. She won a national Newscorp writing competition to review TV shows on Binge, and keeps busy juggling her many hobbies including baking, painting, archery, stargazing, tending to her chickens, training her Border Collie, expanding her Harry Potter replica collection, and making lists (much like this one).

Read full bio


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