Connection Quality
BigBlueButton displays your current connection status during the meeting. This chapter explains the connection indicator, common connectivity issues, error codes, and general recommendations for a stable meeting experience.
Connection Status Indicator
The connection status icon is located near the recording button in the upper right corner of the meeting room. It uses a color-coded system:
| Color | Quality | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Very good connection | No action needed. |
| Yellow | Moderate connection | Consider moving to a location with better internet or switching to a wired connection. |
| Red | Poor connection | Check your network urgently. Disable your webcam and use a wired connection if possible. |
Click the connection status icon to view detailed connection information, including bandwidth usage and packet loss statistics.
Common Problems and Solutions
No audio or microphone not detected
- Wrong microphone selected — check the audio device selection in BigBlueButton.
- Browser permission not granted — check your browser settings and allow microphone access.
- Microphone physically disabled — some laptops have a function key to toggle the microphone.
No video or camera not detected
- Camera not connected or not activated.
- Browser does not have permission to access the camera.
- Camera is being used by another application (e.g., another video call tool).
Echo or audio feedback
- A participant is using external speakers without a headset — using a headset is strongly recommended.
- The meeting is open on multiple devices simultaneously — use only one device with microphone and speakers.
Error Codes
| Code | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 1004 | Incompatible SDP or ad blocker blocking IP negotiation | Check your ad blocker settings and disable it for the meeting URL. |
| 1007 | ICE negotiation failed (firewall issue) | Check your firewall rules and ensure the required ports are open. |
| 1020 | Media server unreachable (firewall or browser extension) | Check your firewall settings or disable interfering browser extensions. |
Firewall and Network Restrictions
Firewalls and network restrictions are among the most common causes of connection problems in BigBlueButton:
- Corporate or school firewalls may block the ports required for video conferencing.
- VPN connections can interfere with the WebRTC protocol used by BigBlueButton.
- Parental control filters (e.g., in home routers) may block BigBlueButton connections.
Advanced Diagnostic Tools
Some premium hosting providers, such as bbbserver, offer additional diagnostic tools in their management dashboard that go beyond the standard BigBlueButton features:
- Quick test — checks essential connection parameters such as upload/download speed, latency, firewall settings for UDP and TCP, and browser features like TURN and ICE in a single run.
- Long-term test — monitors the same parameters over an extended period, for example alongside a running meeting. This helps identify intermittent issues that do not appear in a single quick test.
Test results are displayed in a human-readable format. At bbbserver, customers can submit results to support free of charge for a more detailed technical assessment. These diagnostic tools require a free registration.
Registered users at bbbserver can also generate temporary test links for non-registered meeting participants, making it easy to diagnose issues on the participant side.
General Recommendations
- Prefer a wired (LAN) connection over Wi-Fi whenever possible.
- Use a headset to prevent echo and improve audio quality.
- Use a Chromium-based browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Brave) for the best compatibility.
If you experience persistent connection issues, try disabling your webcam to reduce bandwidth usage. In many cases, this alone resolves audio and video quality problems.