1- High CPU Occupation (ie. running slow)
"High CPU Occupation" means that your computer's resources are being maxed out and it is degrading the ability to maintain certain large data functions. Zoom is a HUGE data hog when running, and even more so when sharing screen because your system is both downloading and uploading data simultaneously.
All sorts of things can affect this including the CPU (central processor unit) speed. That basically means how fast your machine can carry out multiple tasks in a short time. When the CPU hits its max threshold, the CPU will disconnect from certain functions to bring it back under the threshold.
RAM can also be a major factor if there is too little. Most commercially purchased computers will have at least 8 Gb (Gigabytes) of RAM. Frequently the newer models will have more and some will have much more. Because Zoom hogs so much in the way of resources, it requires nearly 4 Gb of your computer's RAM to run at any point in time. So if your device is running 8 Gb of RAM, for example, Zoom would be using half of its capability.
If you notice your computer slows down a lot when you have 10 or more tabs open at once, with each doing something different, then RAM might be a factor.
But solving those two problems can cost money and be time-consuming so let's look at the free options available to us first.
Basic device fixes
a- Clear your device's Cookies and Cache- How To Clear Browser Cache
b- Restart your device
c- Complete a Hard Reset/restart of your device- Hard Reset- What Is It and How To Do It?
Then, after that, please try to do the following:
d- Close all extra tabs that are not running PLIC, Canvas, and Zoom, except for anything you might need directly related to that day's lesson. This will serve to reduce the load your CPU is experiencing.
*All of these steps combined should help your device to perform better, connect, and maintain internet connection better
2-Unstable Network aka Connectivity Issues
"Unstable network for video" means that the internet signal it is connecting to is having difficulty of some kind. That difficulty could just be a need for a restart of your modem, it could mean that your internet quality is not quite enough to operate without sometimes losing connections, or it could even refer to local internet traffic in your neighborhood.
As you might be aware, internet traffic ramps up at certain times of day: morning, lunch, and evenings from 5-10 pm. On occasion, too much data will be trying to transfer through limited data lines in your area. When that happens, users can get bumped from service, users can have their devices freeze, and users can experience exaggerated buffering and signal delays.
a- We recommend shutting off your Modem/Router by unplugging its power cord
b- Counting to 30
(This gives enough time to drain any residual electricity that could still be flowing through the unit).
c- Plug it back in.
d- If possible, sit closer to your router/modem, particularly if it is not in the same room.
3- Close all unnecessary applications
The applications running in the background can eat up your CPU and bandwidth. To reduce your CPU usage, you should close all unnecessary applications when running Zoom. Here’s how:
a - On your keyboard, press Ctrl, Shift and Esc keys at the same time to open Task Manager.
b - Under the Processes tab, click CPU to filter applications by their CPU usage, then right-click the CPU-hogging applications and select End task.
4- Impact of other home or local devices on your available internet bandwidth
Make sure all other internet connected devices in your home/work location are not using much
if any of your available bandwidth. All should be off or in some standby mode that isn't drawing bandwidth resources:
-Smart Phones in your home include yours
-Smart TVs
-Roku and Firestick devices
-Video Game consoles (X-box, PlayStation, Nintendo, etc)
-Other PCs and laptops
-Alexa Home Devices or Google Home Devices
-Facebook Portal Devices
-Home Smart Camera and Security Networks
-Smart appliances like refrigerators, thermostats, and more
5-Problems Persist
If the problems persists after all these efforts, we may need to recommend you visit with your local internet provider to see if there's anything they can do on their end. Often, they have a few little tricks they can perform to help you get a more stable connection.
6- Problems Still Persist
*If none of these steps resolve your problems, we'll need to do some additional digging and will need to assess your Windows PC for certain Diagnostic characteristics. Please click the following link to follow steps to gather the necessary full screen screenshots of data to share with PLI Support (in your ongoing ticket).
7-Update and/or Install New Drivers
If those attempts do not improve performance, then we might need to explore a more intricate option.
https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/how-to-fix-zoom-high-cpu-usage/
*not recommended without prior experience