Do you ever go through the aggravation of Microsoft Teams frequently displaying a yellow indicator during your virtual meetings? I, too, have encountered this issue and it can cause immense annoyance and interruptions. In this piece, I shall provide some pointers and techniques, based on my own experience and investigation, to prevent Microsoft Teams from turning yellow.
Understanding the Yellow Indicator
First, let’s understand what the yellow indicator in Microsoft Teams means. When the indicator turns yellow, it usually indicates a poor network connection. This can result in audio or video issues during your meetings, such as dropped calls, frozen screens, or laggy audio.
The yellow indicator is a signal that your internet connection might not be strong enough to support seamless communication in Microsoft Teams. It’s important to address this issue to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted meeting experience.
Optimizing Your Internet Connection
One of the main reasons why Microsoft Teams goes yellow is due to a weak internet connection. Here are some steps you can take to optimize your internet connection:
- Check your internet speed: Use an online speed test tool to check your internet speed. If your upload or download speed is significantly lower than expected, contact your internet service provider to troubleshoot the issue.
- Connect directly to your router: If you are using Wi-Fi, try connecting your device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. This will provide a more stable and reliable connection, reducing the chances of the yellow indicator appearing.
- Close bandwidth-hungry applications: Other applications or devices on your network might be consuming a large amount of bandwidth, causing Microsoft Teams to struggle. Close any unnecessary applications and pause any downloads or uploads that might be hogging your internet bandwidth.
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router: If you are using Wi-Fi, try moving closer to your router to improve the signal strength. Walls and other obstacles can weaken the Wi-Fi signal, so finding a closer spot can make a noticeable difference.
Adjusting Microsoft Teams Settings
In addition to optimizing your internet connection, you can also adjust some settings within Microsoft Teams to help prevent the yellow indicator from appearing:
- Disable video: If your internet connection is particularly weak, consider disabling your video during meetings. This will reduce the bandwidth requirements and prioritize audio, ensuring a smoother communication experience.
- Reduce screen sharing quality: If you often share your screen during meetings, consider reducing the screen sharing quality. This can be done by clicking on the “More options” menu (…) during a meeting and selecting “Optimize for motion and video quality” in the “Share” menu.
- Turn off “HD” mode: By default, Microsoft Teams uses “HD” mode for video calls. This high-definition video quality requires more bandwidth. You can turn off “HD” mode by going to the settings menu, selecting “Devices,” and toggling off the “Allow HD” option.
- Enable “Low bandwidth mode”: Microsoft Teams offers a “Low bandwidth mode” that optimizes the app for poor network conditions. You can enable this mode by going to the settings menu, selecting “General,” and toggling on the “Enable low bandwidth mode” option.
Conclusion
Dealing with a yellow indicator in Microsoft Teams can be frustrating, but by optimizing your internet connection and adjusting the app’s settings, you can minimize the occurrence of this issue. Remember to check your internet speed, connect directly to your router if possible, and adjust Microsoft Teams settings to prioritize audio over video and reduce bandwidth usage. By following these tips, you can have smoother and more productive online meetings with Microsoft Teams.