In order to get the best performance from a Microsoft Teams meeting, you want to first ensure that you have a fast internet connection. Please see our internet connectivity at home page for tips on how to get the most of your internet connection. Here are some tips to help ensure your meeting goes off without a hitch.

  • Download the latest version: If you don’t already have Teams installed, download the app to install on your computer. Already installed? Open up Teams, click your profile picture at the upper right of the window, and select check for updates.
  • Choose your location wisely: When joining an online meeting, try to find a spot without background noise. When your video is on, be aware of your background any anything (or anyone) that might appear while your video is on. Some people even put a sign up letting others in the house know you’re in a meeting and not to be disturbed.
  • Use a headset: For best results use headphones with a built in microphone. These help prevent feedback and echo when you’re speaking. You don’t have to splurge on something fancy; headphones that come with many cell phones work just fine. You can check your audio settings to ensure Teams is using your headset and not your computer’s built in microphone.
  • Mute yourself: Be sure to always mute yourself when you’re not speaking as it helps reduce or eliminate distracting background noise. If you’re running a Teams meeting and need to mute others, you can click on participants at the bottom of the screen and either mute individual participants or select mute all.

Microsoft Teams image showing a woman seated with the background blurred to hide details.

  • Turn on your video: In smaller meetings, turning on your video allows others to see you and your body language.
    • Blur your background: Teams allows you to blur your background which allows you to appear nice and clear while everything behind you is subtly concealed. 
  • Test your settings: Make sure you’re looking and sounding good before the meeting by testing your audio and video before the meeting. Try making a test call, in the Teams app click your avatar (picture) in the top bar and select Settings, then Devices. Make sure that the right audio devices are selected for the test and then click Make a test call.
  • Automatically save meeting chat & files: After your Teams meeting ends, your chat text and files shared in the meeting are automatically saved and appear in the chat section of Teams.