Zoom unstable internet connection

Hey, @NFindy. We'd be glad to help improve your connection.

What internet plan do you have? Is the device you're using for Zoom connected through Wi-Fi or Ethernet? We'd recommend checking out our article on Optimizing Internet Speeds for tips on how to maximize your device's signal strength and performance.

Let us know if this helps!

Ramses, AT&T Community Specialist

I have been having the same problem using an AT&T fiber connection, but in a totally different part of the country (Chicago). Zoom would freeze and report as unstable on a regular basis on multiple machines, wired and over wifi. The problems never occurred using the same equipment over our slower cable modem connection - the AT&T fiber/router is clearly the problem.

After some experimentation, I seem to have solved the problem by changing the UDP session timeout on our router (a 5268AC). More specifically, I changed the UDP Session Timeout under Settings, Firewall, Advanced Configuration from 600 to 28800 and just completed a 3.5 hour Zoom meeting without a single glitch. This makes sense since our connection always seemed to freeze about once every 10 minutes - apparently the Zoom software was not keeping the connection alive in a timely fashion. 

I have the same issue. It is not just Zoom. It is more noticeable when using Zoom, because Zoom requires constant streaming. The unstable network speed happens often. Its just not so much noticed when browsing internet. Unstable speed only happens with wifi. Connecting via cable shows consistent high speed. Unstable speed on wifi happens with both ATT router wifi and also on Google Nest wifi. I tried switching and testing on both. ATT tech support came to my house to check on the cable. There was not problem with cable. I have stopped using Google Nest wifi to isolate the problem. The problem still exists even when using ATT router wifi. What can I do to fix this? 

I’m having similar issues with using Zoom and getting “internet connection is unstable”. 
I am using WiFi to connect my laptop and running Zoom meetings and I’m always running into this unstable connection situation. 
Is there a way to fix this? I have a 2 story home and the laptop I use is on the second floor while the Modem is downstairs, I have had att run speed tests and all is working fine. There must be something within the settings of Zoom? 

any help would greatly be appreciated.

Restarting your gateway is never a fix.  It's a band aid covering an underlying issue with the system.  Notice how reboot is always the "fix" provided no matter what the issue is.

I am having this same experience.  I did not have any issues with Webex but just Zoom.  I'm beginning to wonder if I need another internet provider?

My At&T modem and my router is on the first floor and I am experiencing issues using Zoom on the second floor of my home.  What is the best resolution to maximize Wi-Fi signal throughout my home?

I am experiencing the exact problems with any streaming or video conferencing over zoom, skype, FT or similar.  Through wifi.  ATT HAS NO FIX for this EXCEPT to separate the 2g and 5g incoming signals (for those of us that are not fiber).  

Based on this thread, it seems as though there is no fix and this is happening all over the country.  I'm in fla.  

I've had ATT for years and this problem has just started the past year.  Never an issue with any video conferencing prior. 

This is NOT an issue of maximizing wifi since I could be sitting NEXT to the modem with my laptop and still get the same message.  "your connection is unstable"....3x minimum on each !!!

re: "separat[ing] the 2g and 5g signals"

1) That has nothing to do with fiber/non-fiber

2) It is a Wi-Fi thing... it means you're disabling band steering and requesting a specific Wi-Fi frequency band.

3) If this has made your problem better, it means that you are losing the Wi-Fi connection between your client and the Gateway.

4) This was probably happening due to thinking it should switch to 5GHz to 2.4GHz or 2.4GHz to 5GHz due to changing Wi-Fi conditions, which is why turning off band-steering helped.

5) It can also happen when the gateway decides to change channels within a band, which means it may help to lock the channel in the Gateway.

6) This can also be improved by providing your own Wi-Fi service.  Generally AT&T provides good Internet service into your home, but crappy Wi-Fi from the Gateway.

7) If "separating 2g and 5g" helped, then it couldn't anything other than "maximizing wifi," because that's what you did.

To clarify my initial problem from last year:

1. I was using a wired CAT6 connection, not WiFi

2. My connection was always stable until a hard drop - and would then be stable again for exactly another 10 minutes

3. My problem has not resurfaced since - but Zoom has had many updates in the past year AND my timeout is now set for 28800 seconds.