How can I use my laptop for video calling?

Video calling has become an essential way to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues, and clients during the pandemic. As more people work remotely and limit in-person interactions, services like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and Google Meet have seen their popularity skyrocket. With video calling now a standard feature on most laptops, learning how to make video calls is a valuable skill for anyone with a computer.

What equipment do I need for video calls on my laptop?

The basic equipment you need for video calls on a laptop is:

A laptop with a built-in webcam and microphone

An internet connection (broadband wired or wireless)
Video calling software like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc.

Most modern laptops have a built-in webcam above the screen and a microphone, which is all you need for video calls. You’ll also need a broadband internet connection – video calls require more bandwidth than simple web browsing. As long as you have at least 2 Mbps download and upload speeds, your internet should handle video. For the software, there are many options like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime for Mac, or Google Meet that work great for video calls. Most are free to use or have a free basic tier.

How to make sure my laptop webcam is working

Before jumping into a video call, you’ll want to check that your laptop’s webcam is working properly. Here are some tips:

Open the Camera app on your laptop – there is usually a pre-installed camera app like Photo Booth on Mac or Camera on Windows.
Look at the live preview from your webcam. Make sure the camera is not physically blocked or covered.

Check the camera settings/properties in the app – you may need to allow access to the camera for apps to use it.
Test recording a short video clip using the app to check the video and audio quality.
Make sure you don’t see any error messages about no camera detected or access denied.

If the built-in camera still isn’t working, you may need to update your laptop’s drivers or reinstall the camera device. Consult your laptop user guide or support website for help.

How to set up video calling software

Once your equipment is ready, you can set up and log into your preferred video calling tool. Here are general setup instructions:

Zoom

Go to zoom.us and sign up for a free Zoom account.

Download and install the Zoom app on your laptop.
Open the Zoom app, enter your account details, and Sign In.
Click on “New Meeting” to start an instant video meeting.

Share the meeting link or meeting ID with participants to invite them.

Skype

Go to skype.com to create a new Skype account if you don’t have one.
Download Skype on your laptop.

Open Skype and Sign In with your account.
Find contacts and click on the video call icon next to their name to call them.
Or go to your profile, generate your personal invite link, and share that with anyone you want to video chat with.

FaceTime

FaceTime comes pre-installed on Mac laptops and iOS devices.
Open the FaceTime app and sign in with your Apple ID.
Click on + and type in the name/number/email of your contact to call them.

If they have FaceTime enabled, they will receive your video call invite.

Google Meet

Have a Google account to use Google Meet.
Go to meet.google.com or open the Meet app.

Click on “Start new meeting” to begin an instant video meeting.
Invite others by sharing the meeting link or dial-in details.

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the platform’s interface. Most video apps these days are designed to be user-friendly for both hosts and participants.

Video call etiquette tips

Following basic etiquette helps ensure your video interactions are professional and productive. Here are some top tips:

Have proper lighting – Position a light source in front of you to avoid backlighting and shadows.
Look into the camera – Maintain eye contact by looking into your webcam vs. at the screen.

Be mindful of background – Eliminate distractions and pick a quiet spot.
Mute when not speaking – Cut background noise by muting yourself when listening.
Dress appropriately – Avoid loud prints or distracting attire.

Start with introductions – Let everyone get acquainted at the start of group calls.

Following meeting etiquette like waiting for your turn to speak, minimizing interruptions, and paying attention helps too. Adjust your setup and habits as needed to come across professionally.

How to look and sound your best

With video calls putting you directly in front of the camera, a few simple techniques can help you put your best face forward:

Check framing – Position camera at eye level and keep your face centered.
Adjust lighting – Add lamps and adjust blinds to avoid shadows.
Use ring lights – Attach LED ring lights to your laptop to light your face directly.

Enable touch up – Some apps offer retouching filters to improve video quality.
Do a sound check – Make sure audio levels are optimal before important calls.
Use a headset – Dedicated mics block ambient noise and give clearer sound.

Testing your setup and doing a quick mirror check before joining a meeting helps avoid fixable issues.

How to share your screen during video calls

Screen sharing is an indispensable video conferencing feature for presentations, teaching, tech support, and more. Here’s how to share your screen in popular apps:

Screenshare in Zoom

Open the Zoom desktop app and start/join a meeting.

In the meeting toolbar, click on the “Share Screen” icon.
Select the window or full screen you want to share.
The green border around your shared screen is visible only to you.

Click Stop Share when done.

Screenshare in Skype

In your Skype video call, click on the screen sharing icon at the bottom.
Pick the window or entire desktop you want to share.

A blue border around your screen indicates you are screensharing.
Hover over top of shared window and click Stop Sharing.

Screenshare on FaceTime

Open FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad during an active video call.

Swipe up from bottom and tap on Screen Sharing.
Select the iPhone/iPad screen you want to share.
Shared screen will display on your video preview with a green border.

Tap Stop Sharing to end it.

Present Screen in Google Meet

Join a Google Meet video call from your laptop.
Click on Present now icon at the bottom right.

Choose to share your Entire screen, A window, or A Chrome tab.
Green outline confirms you are screensharing.
Click on Stop presenting to disable it.

Keep apps open in the background before sharing for seamless screensharing. Close confidential apps beforehand.

How to host large video meetings

Hosting meetings with larger teams or audiences requires using platforms optimized for the purpose. Some tips for large video meetings:

Use tools like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams – they allow 100-500+ attendees.

Upgrade to paid plans with more features as needed.
Learn recommended settings for large meetings like mute all, virtual backgrounds, waiting rooms.
Share meeting invite details early and send calendar invitations.

Designate co-hosts to help manage Q&A, chat, presentations.
Set ground rules around muting, chat, raising hands to streamline participation.

Running successful large video conferences takes planning. Test out features beforehand to troubleshoot issues.

Video call tips for better collaboration

Video calls facilitate better collaboration through helpful features. Some tips:

Enable screen sharing – Easily present documents, slides, and apps.
Use whiteboard – Draw and annotate together on a shared digital space.

Chat and channels – Maintain side conversations without disrupting the main call.
Share files – Have reference materials at hand through in-app file sharing.
Record meetings – Keep meetings searchable for future reference.

Use breakout rooms – Break into smaller discussion groups.

Take advantage of these tools to actively engage participants during your next team huddle or brainstorming session.

How to use virtual backgrounds

Virtual backgrounds allow you to display an image or video as your background instead of your actual space. Here is how to use them:

Zoom Virtual Background

In the Zoom desktop app, click on the arrow next to Stop Video.
Select Choose Virtual Background.
Pick one of Zoom’s defaults or add your own image/video.

Tick the “I have a green screen” box if using a green screen.

Skype Background Effects

Open Skype and start a video call.
Click on the three-dot More actions menu.

Select Background effects and pick a preloaded background.
Or click on Add new to use your own image or video.

FaceTime Portrait Mode

Open the FaceTime app on supported iPhones/iPads (iPhone XS or later).

In an active video call, tap the Portrait Mode button at bottom.
Blur slider lets you adjust background blur intensity.

Google Meet Backgrounds

Open Google Meet and join/start a meeting.

Click on the three-dot menu > Change background.
Choose from Google’s backgrounds or add your own photo.
Only works on Chrome browser version 87+.

Virtual backgrounds are a fun way to customize your look on video calls while masking messy rooms!

Best practices for video calls

Follow these video conferencing best practices to conduct effective meetings:

Test equipment, internet connection, software beforehand.

Send calendar invitations with meeting details and links.
Join 5-10 minutes early to get set up and chat.
Mute when not speaking to reduce background noise.

Introduce all participants at the start of new meetings.
Share relevant documents and visuals through screen sharing.
Summarize action items and next steps at the end.

Send a meeting recap afterward with notes.

Using video effectively takes preparation. Developing your own checklist can help ensure you have productive virtual interactions.

How to use my laptop webcam for vlogging

With a little setup, the laptop webcam can be great for filming vlogs and videos. Here are some tips:

Get a tripod for your laptop to keep footage stable.
Use external lighting like portable LED lights to properly light your face.
Add accessories like ring lights and mics for more professional quality.

Check and adjust webcam settings like resolution, color balance, focus.
Record some test footage first before filming your final takes.
Edit videos afterwards using free software like OpenShot or iMovie.

The laptop camera offers decent quality for vlogs viewed online. Enhance it with some accessories and editing to take your vlog to the next level.

Solutions for common video call issues

Don’t let technical issues ruin your virtual interactions. Here are fixes for frequent video call problems:

Grainy/blurry video

Check internet connection – get closer to router or plug in ethernet cable.

Disable other devices using your internet.
Close bandwidth-heavy apps and programs.
Adjust webcam settings for better resolution and focus.

Clean camera lens which could be dirty or oily.

Choppy audio

Optimize internet bandwidth by closing other apps.
Plug in headphones/mic for better sound quality.

Disable echo cancelling/noise suppression in settings if causing issues.

Video freezes and lags

Force quit and rejoin the meeting/call.
Turn off video when not speaking to ease bandwidth strain.

Reduce video resolution in settings for smoother video.
Connect laptop directly to wifi router instead of mesh networks.

We can’t connect/keeps dropping

Check wifi/LAN connection – restart router/modem if needed.

Disconnect VPN if enabled.
Allow app access through laptop firewall and security settings.
Update video call apps which could have bugs.

Preventing issues is ideal – but troubleshooting quickly helps minimize disruptions.

Conclusion

Video calling is here to stay. With the right setup and etiquette, your laptop webcam offers a convenient way to stay face-to-face from anywhere. Be prepared, position yourself and your environment intentionally, and make thoughtful use of video call features. Follow best practices to connect virtually and collaborate across screens with effective video meetings on your laptop.