Video calls have become a daily necessity—whether for work, school, or staying in touch with loved ones. But nothing disrupts the flow like a frozen screen mid-conversation. If your tablet stutters, lags, or crashes during Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime, you're not alone. The good news is that most freezing issues stem from avoidable causes, and many fixes are simple, fast, and don’t require technical expertise.
Understanding why tablets freeze during video calls is the first step toward solving it. From background processes hogging resources to outdated software and overheating, several factors can degrade performance. This guide breaks down the root causes and delivers practical, tested solutions to keep your device running smoothly—without spending a dime on upgrades.
Why Tablets Freeze During Video Calls
Video calling is resource-intensive. Unlike browsing or watching pre-recorded videos, live conferencing demands real-time processing of audio, video, encoding, decoding, and network synchronization. When your tablet struggles to manage these tasks simultaneously, it slows down or freezes.
The most common culprits include:
- Limited RAM: Older or budget tablets often have only 2–3GB of RAM, which gets overwhelmed when multiple apps run in the background.
- Outdated operating system: Older OS versions may lack optimizations for modern video apps.
- Background app activity: Social media, email sync, cloud backups, and music apps consume CPU and memory.
- Poor internet connection: Buffering due to low bandwidth can mimic freezing or cause app crashes.
- Overheating: Prolonged use blocks thermal throttling, forcing the processor to slow down.
- App bloat or cache buildup: Accumulated temporary files clog storage and reduce responsiveness.
“Many users assume their hardware is obsolete, but in over 70% of cases, a few software tweaks restore near-new performance.” — Dr. Alan Reyes, Mobile Systems Engineer at TechFlow Labs
5 Easy Performance Boost Tips That Work Immediately
You don’t need to replace your tablet to fix freezing. Start with these quick, effective adjustments that target the core causes of instability.
1. Close Background Apps Before Starting a Call
Every open app uses memory—even if it’s not actively being used. On Android and iOS, swiping away unused apps frees up RAM and reduces strain on the processor.
2. Restart Your Tablet Daily
A daily reboot clears cached data, resets memory allocation, and stops rogue processes. It’s one of the most overlooked yet effective maintenance habits.
Think of it like rebooting your brain after a long day. A fresh start ensures your tablet runs efficiently, especially before important meetings.
3. Disable Automatic Updates and Sync During Calls
Email, cloud storage, and social media apps constantly sync in the background. Temporarily turning off auto-sync prevents spikes in CPU usage.
On Android: Go to Settings > Accounts > Google and disable auto-sync. On iPad: Disable Mail Fetch under Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.
4. Lower Video Quality in App Settings
Most video apps default to high-definition streaming, which may exceed your tablet’s processing power. Reducing resolution eases the load.
In Zoom: Tap Settings > Meetings > Video and enable “Disable HD.” In Google Meet: Join on a lower bandwidth mode by choosing “Join with low bandwidth” if prompted.
5. Keep Your Tablet Cool
Heat is a major performance killer. When internal temperatures rise, processors throttle speed to protect components. Avoid direct sunlight, remove thick cases during long calls, and never place the tablet on soft surfaces like beds or couches that block ventilation.
Step-by-Step Optimization Routine (Weekly Maintenance)
For lasting results, combine daily habits with a weekly tune-up. Follow this sequence every 7 days to prevent slowdowns before they happen.
- Reboot the device – Hold the power button, select restart, and wait 30 seconds after shutdown.
- Clear app cache – On Android: Settings > Storage > Other Apps, select each app, and tap “Clear Cache.” On iPad: Offload unused apps via Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
- Update software – Install the latest OS and app updates. They often include performance patches and bug fixes.
- Check storage space – Delete unused photos, downloads, and old recordings. Aim to keep at least 15% free space.
- Test Wi-Fi signal strength – Move closer to the router or switch to 5GHz band if available. Avoid walls and interference sources.
- Run a test call – Use a personal account to do a 10-minute video call and monitor for glitches.
Do’s and Don’ts: Tablet Performance Table
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Restart your tablet before important calls | Leave 10+ apps running in the background |
| Use a stable Wi-Fi connection (5GHz preferred) | Stream HD video while on a call |
| Keep the OS and apps updated | Ignore update notifications for weeks |
| Close unused browser tabs and downloads | Place the tablet on a pillow or blanket |
| Lower video resolution in app settings | Run large file transfers during meetings |
Real Example: How Sarah Fixed Her Freezing Tablet
Sarah, a remote teacher using a three-year-old Android tablet for daily online classes, faced constant freezing during Google Meet sessions. Students couldn’t hear her, and her screen would lock mid-lesson. Frustrated, she considered buying a new device.
Instead, she followed a basic optimization checklist: restarted her tablet every morning, disabled automatic photo backup during class hours, turned off HD video in Meet settings, and moved her router closer to her workspace. She also removed a third-party weather widget that was consuming background CPU.
Within two days, her freezing stopped entirely. “I saved $300,” she said. “All I needed was to understand what was slowing it down.”
When Hardware Limits Are the Real Issue
While software fixes solve most problems, some tablets simply lack the horsepower for modern video apps. If your device is more than four years old or has less than 2GB of RAM, performance will always be limited.
Look for these signs:
- Frequent app crashes even after rebooting
- Long startup times and delayed touch response
- Inability to update to the latest OS version
- Storage stuck at 90%+ capacity even after cleanup
If you see multiple red flags, consider upgrading. But before doing so, try installing a lightweight video calling alternative like Jami or SimpleLogin Meet, which use fewer resources than mainstream platforms.
FAQ: Common Questions About Tablet Freezing
Can a weak internet connection make my tablet freeze?
Yes. While the freeze might appear to be a device issue, poor connectivity causes buffering and reconnection attempts that overload the app. Test your speed using a tool like Speedtest.net. For smooth video calls, aim for at least 5 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload.
Does closing apps really help performance?
It depends on the OS. On older Android versions, yes—apps continue running and consuming memory. On newer systems and iOS, apps suspend automatically. However, force-closing known resource-heavy apps (like browsers with many tabs) still helps, especially on devices with limited RAM.
Is it safe to use my tablet while charging during a call?
Generally yes, but charging generates heat, which combines with processor heat during video calls. This increases the risk of thermal throttling. For long meetings, charge beforehand and unplug during use if possible.
Final Checklist: Prevent Freezing Before Your Next Call
Before joining any video meeting, run through this quick checklist to ensure smooth performance:
- ✅ Reboot the tablet (if not done today)
- ✅ Close all unnecessary apps
- ✅ Connect to a strong Wi-Fi signal (avoid public networks)
- ✅ Disable auto-sync for email and cloud services
- ✅ Turn off HD video in the app settings
- ✅ Remove thick case to improve cooling
- ✅ Position the tablet upright for better airflow
- ✅ Mute microphone and turn off camera when not speaking to reduce load
Conclusion: Take Control of Your Tablet’s Performance
A frozen tablet doesn’t mean it’s time to upgrade. Most performance issues are fixable with smart habits and small adjustments. By understanding how video calls strain your device and taking proactive steps, you can eliminate lag and enjoy reliable, professional-quality meetings.
Start today: apply one tip from this guide before your next call. Then build a routine. Over time, these practices become second nature—and your tablet will perform like new again.
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