Student's computer experiencing slow performance while using Zoom for lessons
Student's computer experiencing slow performance while using Zoom for lessons
Hey everyone, I’ve noticed some problems with my school laptop during Zoom sessions. About 90% of my lessons are on Zoom, which puts a lot of pressure on the machine since I also use Outlook and Microsoft Edge. Recently, Zoom has started freezing and sometimes saying it’s not responding. I can still see and hear the meeting, but after a while it stops me from participating. My CPU usage spikes to 100% and stays high during these sessions, and the laptop gets very hot afterward.
When the crowd gets excited, their voices come out as if something is trapped inside, like a string or a metal. The laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad with an Intel i5 processor; I don’t recall any other details at first glance, though it seems to have both an integrated CPU and GPU.
Need accurate details. Thinkpad models with i5 chips from 2009 to 2025 are available. Provide full model numbers and specifications so we can locate the exact data. How long have you used it? It might just be overheating. If it's your own device, try installing monitoring software like Open Hardware Monitor to check temperatures. High temps reaching 100°C indicate overheating, which can slow performance and eventually damage the CPU. This creates a cycle where reduced performance forces more strain.
I've been using it for probably 2 or 3 years now, and I only began doing Zoom work last year. I'm checking if I can install a hardware monitor when I get my laptop back tomorrow. I'll have to wait until then to get the full specs, but I'll send them as soon as possible. I don't remember the model number off the top of my head, sorry. This cycle makes sense.
I saved the open hardware monitor on my home laptop to check compatibility since both my school and home machines block certain downloads. It functioned properly, but the temperatures aren’t displaying. I’m unsure what to do next.
It was resolved, I just needed to run it with admin rights and the temperatures are now up.
You have the details of your school laptop's specs. The Intel i5-1235U CPU and Xe graphics are installed. Attempts to use open hardware monitoring tools were blocked by the laptop admin, likely due to school policies. The ThinkPad L13 Yoga Gen 3 is running hot and slow during video calls, with overall poor performance throughout the day. CPU throttling might help reduce temperatures but could also limit performance.
I also tracked my CPU performance and performance metrics via Task Manager. I observed that my CPU speed was considerably lower than usual, with a notable drop when I’m at home compared to campus. At home, it runs between 1.20–1.30 GHz, whereas on campus it was closer to 0.10–0.20 GHz most of the day, occasionally reaching around 1.10 GHz.
Does the institution possess the equipment? If yes, you essentially have no actionable steps beyond securing your files and returning it for maintenance. Any handling might lead to liability issues. Suggested precautions include using a compressed air cleaner to clear the fan and heat sink, ensuring air vents remain unobstructed.