Why Does My Webcam Lag or Freeze During Video Calls?

Introduction

The camera image moves jerkily, audio lags behind, or video completely freezes? Don't rush to buy a new webcam — most often the problem is not with it, but with system settings, lighting, or weak connection. In this article, we'll analyze why the camera "lags" and how to restore smooth video.

Quick Solution

  1. Restart your video call application (Zoom, Skype, Teams).
    This often helps if the camera "stuck" after driver updates or switching between windows.
  2. Close unnecessary programs.
    A browser with dozens of tabs, OBS, Discord, antivirus — all of this consumes CPU resources and reduces camera FPS.
  3. Check lighting.
    In darkness, the camera increases exposure, which makes video "slow". Turn on an additional light source in front of you.
  4. Check internet speed.
    Go to DoCam.io and test your connection quality. Slow upload can cause lags during calls.

Detailed Guide

1. Check CPU Load

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Performance tab. If CPU load is above 80%, the camera may "freeze". Close unnecessary applications and background processes (especially browsers and Discord).

2. Update Camera Driver

Open Device Manager → Cameras → right-click → Update driver. Old drivers often cause "lags" and freezes after Windows updates.

3. Reduce Video Resolution

If the camera works at 1080p, but your laptop or internet is weak — try lowering quality to 720p. You can do this in Zoom or OBS settings: Settings → Video → Resolution → 1280x720.

4. Check Camera Connection

For external cameras, use rear USB ports (on system unit) or a separate cable without a hub. If the camera periodically "disconnects" — the problem may be USB power or cable.

5. Optimize Lighting

Poor lighting is a common cause of low FPS. Place a lamp in front of you, not to the side. The more light — the faster the camera captures frames.

6. Check Antivirus Settings

Some antiviruses (Avast, BitDefender) include "web protection" that interferes with video stream. Temporarily disable this feature and check if performance improved.

7. Update Graphics Driver

Especially important for laptops with Intel HD / AMD Radeon. Update the driver via Windows Update Center or manually from manufacturer's website.

Error 0xA00F4245 — Camera frame rate too low
(Frame rate too low)

If such an error appears — the problem is exactly with software video processing.

Tips

  • Don't enable background blur on weak laptops — it reduces FPS.
  • Use original USB cables without extensions.
  • Regularly clean the lens from dust — focus also affects performance.
  • Test your camera and internet speed on DoCam.io.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Now you know how to troubleshoot camera freezes and improve video smoothness. After optimizing settings and lighting, the picture will become noticeably better even on a built-in webcam.

Before video calls, we recommend testing your camera on DoCam.io.