You have an online class scheduled in an hour. Just when you sit down to attend the class, your internet goes off. Now, you will not get a recording of this live session, and the only way to learn the lesson is by attending the class.
This is a nightmare for students attending online classes. They get ready to attend the live session or sit for their online exam, and the technology fails.
Technical issues in online classes are common. But sitting with the problem will not be of any help. Instead, you need to find ways to fix the common online class technical issues. How to do that? Don’t worry, we have got your back.
This blog will take you through a few common technical issues every online student faces, along with their practical solutions.
The Pre-Class Checklist: The First Steps to Prevent Technical Issues
The first step to solving the technical issues is prevention. Yes, you read that right. Taking the necessary precautions before the class starts is probably the best way to tackle the technical issues. Here’s what you need to do:
A. Check Your Internet Connection
First things first. Before you sit to attend the live session, you must check your internet connection. Weak or inconsistent connection is the root cause of all technical issues in online classes. This is what we suggest:
- Use Ethernet for stability, don’t go for wireless connections
- Run speed tests before the class so that you can troubleshoot and solve the problem before your class starts
- Close unnecessary tabs, video streaming, or downloads to improve speed
B. Device and Software Readiness
Ensure your computer and software are updated and compatible with the platform used for online classes for a smooth learning experience. We suggest these things for a better learning experience:
- Check the minimum system requirements for the platform
- Keep your operating system and browser updated
- Check and use the recommended browser for your classes
C. Audio and Video Gear
The next thing to check is the audio and video gear you will use during the online class. It is necessary to ensure you can both hear and be seen during the online class. Here’s what you should do:
- Test the microphone and camera before the class
- Use headphones for better clarity and to reduce echo
These will help you address potential audio problems in virtual classes. It is always better to take precautions. We advise students working on online assignments or attending live sessions to follow the checklist for a better experience. You can also drop a ‘take my online class for me’ query for the right assistance.
Common Online Class Technical Issues and How to Troubleshoot Them
Virtual classes have made learning easy for all. However, when it comes to using technology in learning, you cannot ignore the common issues. Let’s take you through the common online class technical issues and a few ways to tackle them:
A. Connectivity Problems
Frequent disconnections, slow loading times, and choppy audio/video are some of the major issues learners face while attending online classes. Weak Wi-Fi signals, limited bandwidth, and internet service provider issues are major reasons behind such online class connectivity issues. While there’s no quick solution to it, you can use any of these methods to troubleshoot these issues:
- Restart router/modem
- Move closer to the router or use Ethernet
- Close all background applications
- Contact your internet service provider
- Consider using a mobile hotspot (temporary solution)
B. Audio and Video Issues
‘Sir, I can’t hear you’ or ‘Why is your camera turned off?’ are some of the common questions in online education. In both these cases, neither you nor the instructor can be held responsible. These are actually some of the common technical issues in a distance learning environment. The reasons for such elearning problems can be incorrect settings, device permissions, or faulty hardware.
Here’s how you can troubleshoot these problems:
- Check in-platform settings (the audio option in Zoom is different from that of Google Meet)
- Check system settings
- Unmute yourself or your classmates
- Restart the browser or application
- Reconnect external devices
- Update audio and video drivers
C. Login and Access Problems
Not being able to log in, invalid credentials, or account being locked are three common technical issues in online learning. The reasons for these are equally common: putting in the incorrect username, forgetting password, and platform downtime. Here’s what you can do to solve these problems:
- Double-check credentials
- Use the ‘forgot password’ option
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Try using a different browser
- Check the platform status page
- Contact instructor or IT support
D. Platform-Specific Glitches
Problems faced by students with online learning platforms, LMS, are many. Starting from videos not working in online classes, assignments not getting submitted, to frozen interactive elements, the problems are endless. Browser compatibility, pop-up blockers, server issues, and outdated platforms are mainly the reasons for these problems. Here are a few ways to troubleshoot these issues:
- Refresh the page
- Disable pop-up blockers and browser extensions
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Try a different browser
- Check for platform announcements or support forums
- Immediately inform your instructor
E. Device Performance Issues
The complaints about laptops running slow, applications freezing, or overheating are a few of the common challenges in online education. Most students complain about it without understanding the reasons behind it. If you have too many programs running, insufficient RAM, or outdated hardware, these problems are bound to happen. However, there are ways you can troubleshoot these issues, such as:
- Close unnecessary applications
- Restart your device
- Check for software updates
- Free up disk space
- Run a malware scan
- Consider a hardware upgrade
Navigating online courses is difficult if you face continuous technical issues. However, if you take the necessary precautions before the classes commence, you will be able to cope with the problems. You can also seek online class help if you lag behind others due to technical issues.
Conclusion: Be Prepared, Be Confident, Succeed Online,
The advent of technology has made learning flexible and easy for both students and teachers. However, it would not be right to ignore the technical challenges faced by students in online education. To ensure a smooth learning experience, students need to find a way to overcome the challenges.
The troubleshooting methods are helpful, but we recommend that you tick all the boxes shared in the checklist before you attend your next live session to cope with future challenges.
