Common Network Issues with AV-over-IP and How to Fix Them

The network is the backbone of any AV-over-IP system, and they rely heavily on it for them to do their job. As such if issues occur there is a good chance that they are network related, sometimes the hardware itself could be at fault but we’ll be looking at some common troubleshooting steps for AV-over-IP systems.

Video Dropouts or Black Screens

If you’re having issues with random video dropouts or black screens and buffering then it’s most likely going to be related to having insufficient bandwidth or an overloaded network switch. It’s very important to make sure that the switch being used is in spec for the required bandwidth for the unit you are using. And also try to make sure that other high-bandwidth devices are not sharing the connection! 

One of the best practices here is to make sure to utilize a dedicated AV network for your AVOIP systems. 

High Latency or Delayed Video

Latency problems can be seen in a couple of different situations, often when the video is heavily compressed or routed through congested networks. You’ll want to verify that any unnecessary traffic is not sharing the same network as the AVOIP system to help solve this. You could also try lowering the resolution of the video or the bitrate to see if that can free up some network bandwidth and reduce delay. 

Devices Not Appearing on the Network

One of the most common reasons for encoders or decoders not being discoverable are them not being on the subnet. Check their IP addresses and make sure they are set correctly so they can communicate properly!

Double check your DHCP or static IP settings so that they are what they should be and that firewalls aren’t blocking any of the devices themselves. 

Jitter or Unstable Video

Jitter often appears as stuttering or uneven motion. This can be caused by network congestion, poor cabling, or unstable switches.

Use quality Ethernet cables and avoid running AV traffic over Wi-Fi whenever possible.

PoE Power Problems

Some network issues are actually power-related. If a device restarts unexpectedly, check that the switch provides enough PoE power and that the total power budget is not exceeded.

Best Practices to Prevent Network Issues

You can always use managed switches designed for AV-over-IP to help cut down on problems.
Make sure to keep firmware up to date on all devices.
It’s good practice to label cables and network ports clearly for trouble shooting.
Test the system before live events or permanent installation.

Final Notes

Most AV-over-IP problems can be resolved with proper network planning and configuration. Starting with a clean, well-organized network makes troubleshooting faster and prevents future issues.

For device-specific troubleshooting steps, refer to related Knowledge Base articles or contact technical support.