Google Meet: Troubleshooting, Tips, and Tricks

Getting Started

For an introduction to Google Meet, users can do the following:

1. Watch this Google Meet Introduction Video (Panopto) (link opens in a new tab).

2. Visit the Google Meet Help Center (link opens in a new tab).

3. Check out a wide range of video tutorials on YouTube (link opens in a new tab).

Troubleshooting

Video/Audio Choppiness: if you're experiencing audio/video choppiness, consider each of these steps.

1. Install the Google Meet App.
2. Close as many unnecessary browser tabs and programs as possible.
   1. You can check to see what programs are consuming the most bandwidth using (on a Mac) Activity Monitor or (on a PC) Task Manager.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Still have choppy or poor quality video?
   1. Plug into a network port and toggle off your wifi.
   2. Drop your send/receive resolution in Google Meet. Audio/Video Settings adjustments.
5. Audio still a bummer?
   1. Turn on Noise Cancellation (and invite others in the call to do it, too.) Audio/Video Settings adjustments.
   2. Get closer to the microphone, and consider asking ITS Helpdesk for a microphone headset.
6. Still having trouble? Check the Advanced Troubleshooting tips, below. 
7. Still having trouble? Contact the ITS Helpdesk.

*Helpdesk will collect additional detailed data that may help them identify more specific issues for specific machines/internet issues, etc.

Your Audio and Video

Audio Tips

• Click the three dots → Settings → Audio to check and change your microphone or speaker input.

• Use a headset or dedicated microphone for clearer audio.

• Meet supports automatic noise cancellation (it helps reduce typing sounds, paper rustling, or dog barking in the background)

• Keep yourself muted when not speaking to reduce background noise for others.

• Avoid speaking over others as Meet prioritizes one speaker at a time, and interruptions can cut others off.

Video Tips

• Keep your camera on and looking into the lens can help build a stronger sense of connection, but it’s okay to turn it off if your bandwidth is limited.

• Use the “Apply visual effects” button (in the lower right of your video preview) to blur your background or apply a static image.

• Keep lighting consistent, add extra light to your face, and avoid bright backlighting

Common Meeting functionality

• Screen Sharing: Click the “Present now” button to share your entire screen, a window, or a specific tab. 

  • Short Video:  How to share your screen easily (link opens in a new tab)

  • Short Video:  How to share your Google Slides + Annotate during a Presentation (link opens in a new tab)

  • Share MULTIPLE screens simultaneously.

• Captions: Turn on live captions (CC) from the toolbar for real-time transcription. Available in multiple languages.

• Polls and Q&A: Hosts can use Google Meet’s built-in polling and Q&A tools (available in Google Workspace for education and other paid tiers).

• Breakout Rooms: Available to meeting hosts via the Activities panel (shaped like a camera icon).

• Recordings: Hosts can record meetings and save them directly to their Google Drive. Please note that recordings are shared automatically with all participants after the call

• Whiteboarding: with the Jamboard discontinuation, consider share a Google Doc for real-time collaboration or visit our Digital Whiteboards page for more information.

• Visit the 3 dot "skinny snowman" icon at the bottom of your Meet window and then click General for additional settings such as Leave‑empty‑calls, captions, and video resolution. (Click Settings → General and turn “Leave empty calls” off if you don’t want Google Meet to automatically disconnect you when you’re the only person in a meeting.)

Google Meet for Classrooms

• ITS or PEPS may have additional guides and support. You can also visit: Carleton Teaching Resources Page (link opens in a new tab)

Some Quick classroom tips:

• Use Google Calendar to create and distribute Meet links.

• Set hosts' controls to restrict student screen sharing or chat use.

• Consider using breakout rooms for small group discussions and bringing students back for debriefing.

For an overview of additional Google Meet Features, watch this video (link opens in a new tab), or check-out Google’s knowledge base (link opens in a new tab).