Bandwidth Network Connections Errors

Resolving Errors Caused by Slow, Unstable, Or Low Bandwidth Network Connections

Slow or low-quality intranet or internet connections can cause files not to load, course or assessment sessions to time out, videos to 'hang' or stutter, and other problems. The following steps will help you make the most of any connection – but especially a slow or weak one.

To get the best available speed and quality from your intranet and internet connections:

• Before starting a course or assessment, close out of any other applications that can use network bandwidth (other browser windows, messaging programs, email, shared document editing, and so on). In short: close out of any application that is able to communicate with the world outside your computer, but is not needed to run the course or assessment.
• Pick a time of day when your shared network connection, local network, and connection to the public internet is likely to be less busy. (Many offices and areas of the world have internet “rush hours” – times when more people are using the internet than average, which can slow down the connection for everyone. For most areas, the heaviest use is at the beginning of the business day, at the lunch hour, and early evening. Attempt the course or assessment during less busy hours of the day for better results.)

If the connection is still too limited to run the course or assessment after taking these steps, the solution is to switch to a better connection.