Is your Zoom out of sync with its audio and video while you are taking part in a conference call?
Zoom can experience a latency issue if you are making use of external devices to provide your sound and camera on the app, or if you have too many apps running in the background of your PC or mobile.
Changing back to the built-in camera and microphone on your laptop can help with the lagging issue, otherwise, disabling the Zoom background feature will decrease the amount of bandwidth required to process the display on your app.
We have generated this easy to follow guide that will provide you with everything you need to know to help you understand why your Zoom is out of sync with its audio, as well as supply you with four easy solutions that will help you get rid of this problem, so your video and sound can match up again during your virtual meeting.
Why is my Zoom audio out of sync?
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Are you using external devices for your Zoom microphone and camera? Your Zoom will experience an out of sync audio if your external devices are unable to work simultaneously together. If you do not make use of your PC’s built-in camera, and mic, two additional plugins into your computer can create issues with the audio matching each other if they are unable to work on the same frequency.
Making use of your PC’s standard camera and microphone automatically ensure the two are in sync, however, there can be latency problems that arise from other factors on your device;
Reason 1. Slow internet connection
Zoom requires a fast internet speed of at least 20Mbps – 30Mbps to be able to stream your videos without any interference.
It is also advised that your Wifi connection operates on 5GHz as this band is faster than 2.4GHZ.
If your Wifi connection is too slow, this will interfere with how well the Zoom app will function with its audio and camera.
A 5GHz channel has a shorter range than the 2.4GHZz band, so if your router is placed too far from where you are using Zoom, this will end up being problematic.
Reason 2. Zoom background enabled
Zoom has additional features included in its video service that enables users to personalise their backgrounds. When this feature is activated while on a video conference call, it increases the amount of CPU bandwidth on your device.
If your network connection cannot handle the extra demand, latency issues will occur.
Reason 3. Apps running in the background
If you have too many open applications in the background of your device that require access to your microphone or camera to operate, they will interfere with your Zoom app.
You may be accessing Zoom through your web browser. If you have multiple tabs open this will also create a lag between your audio and picture on the app.
Reason 4. Outdated Zoom app
Your Zoom app may need to be updated. If you keep using Zoom when it is not updated to its latest version, issues can transpire with the software.
Your Zoom app will be upgraded to improve its performance and get rid of any system malfunctions that may have transpired in the current version.
(Did you know; You can connect to up to 1000 people on one Zoom call. By default, Zoom is set to a maximum of 100, but this can be changed).
How do I sync my Zoom audio?
How do I sync my Zoom audio?
Resyncing your Zoom audio can be done by getting rid of the external devices that you are using as your camera and/or microphone for Zoom. If this is how you opted to conduct your Zoom sessions, and your audio is out of sync, going back to using your PC’s original outputs will help with the lagging issue you are experiencing.
If, however, you are unable to use your device’s built-in audio and video, you can download an external software called ‘Ecamm Live’.
(Note, Ecamm Live is for Mac PC’s only. If you are on Windows, please use Streamlabs).
This application will help sync up your audio and video so there is no delay between the two. On Ecamm Live, you can set your camera up as ‘Virtual’ to be used for your Zoom video;
Output > Virtual Cam > On
On Zoom, you would need to select ‘Ecamm Live Virtual Video’ under the ‘Video’ option.
If, however, you are using your PC’s internal video and audio, you can fix the latency issues by completing these four simple steps;
Fix 1. Reset your internet connection
Slow internet is one of the main causes for Zoom to experience lagging with its audio.
If the app does not receive a minimum of 20Mbps, it will not be able to keep the video and audio synced. If you are also having trouble with your Zoom connecting to a meeting, this will be due to internet issues.
First, check your internet speeds.
Step 1. Switch your Wifi router off
Step 2. Unplug it and wait a couple of minutes (around three will suffice)
Step 3. Plug your router back in and turn it on
Once your internet has connected again, retest your internet speed to see if it has improved.
Fix 2. Zoom disable green screen background
If you are making use of Zooms added background feature, you may want to disable this setting, as this will interfere with the amount of bandwidth that needs to be processed, slowing your video down.
Your audio will carry on being processed at its normal speed, while your video take longer to process resulting in latency between the two.
Step 1. Open the virtual background options
Step 2. Choose ‘None’
The audio should now sync up to your video.
Fix 3. Close other running apps
Multiple apps running in the background of your device will slow down your Zoom app.
If these apps require your audio and/or video, they will interfere with your Zoom app receiving the required connection.
If you are on your mobile, end all running apps. On your PC, close all unnecessary tabs that do not need to be open while you are using Zoom.
Fix 4. Update Zoom app
How to update Zoom app:
Step 1. Open your Zoom app
Step 2. Click on your Profile
Step 3. From the list, choose ‘Check for Update’
Your Zoom app will check for an update, if one is available, you will have the option to select ‘Update.’
How do I manually update Zoom?
An alternative method to update your Zoom app is by going onto your app store, and checking for the ‘Update’ button.
How do you play music on Zoom without delay?
Can you listen to music and Zoom at the same time?
If you are concerned playing music over Zoom will have latency problems due to previous audio issues, you are able to include music over the app without any delay, if you launch the feature in the correct way. If you are conducting the meeting, and you want to include music, make sure you set it up before anyone joins.
Step 1. Launch your meeting and click on the green ‘Share’ button
(You will be taken to a new window.)
Step 3. Make sure your audio is not muted. Click on the ‘Advanced’ button
Step 4. Select ‘Music/Computer Sound Only’
This step will allow the music playing from your device to come through to your meeting.
Step 5. Press the ‘Share’ button at the bottom of your screen
You should now have a green box at the bottom stating ‘You are sharing computer sound’. This will confirm that your music is playing through successfully without any delay.
Conclusion
With this thorough guide on Zoom being out of sync with its audio, we hope you now understand why your app was experiencing lagging issues, and that you were able to fix the problem with one of our four easy fixes.
If, for some reason you are still witnessing a delay in your sound and video on Zoom, we recommend that you uninstall and reinstall the Zoom app onto your device.
You may need to make use of Zoom’s technical support page if you are still experiencing issues. Here, you can click on their ‘chatbox’ icon to speak to one of their support team members, alternatively, you can submit a support ticket.
