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video-visit-technical-checklist

What to check before a JPay video visit (technical checklist for families)

Video visits should be the easy option—but one small tech glitch can eat up your whole session. Run through this checklist to make sure your device, connection, and JPay account are ready before your visit starts.

• 2 min read • mn.gov
What to check before a JPay video visit (technical checklist for families)

Minimum Equipment

  • ✓ High-speed internet access (check that your computer is actually online before the visit)
  • ✓ A PC with working speakers, a microphone, and a webcam
  • ✓ A quick camera check before your start time to confirm it’s working properly

Tip: Don’t wait until the session starts to find out your camera or internet isn’t working. Do a quick test beforehand so you’re not troubleshooting on the clock.

Before worrying about tech, cover the basics: you need a JPay.com account to purchase a video visitation session. On the day of your visit, log into that same account before it's time to connect. Being logged out when the session opens can turn into a last-minute scramble.

You'll need a Visa or MasterCard on file to pay for your session. Visits are sold in 30-minute blocks, so set up your payment method ahead of time - not five minutes before your slot.

Don't skip this: You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Your scheduled video visitation also needs to be confirmed and approved by the facility before you can connect.

What to check before a JPay video visit (technical checklist for families)
  1. Close background programs and pause downloads - Running programs or downloads during your visit can overload your processor and cause the video visit to quit unexpectedly.
  2. Confirm you’re connected to the internet - Do a quick check that your PC is online and stable.
  3. Test your camera - Make sure your webcam is working properly before the session starts.

Log into your JPay.com account a few minutes before your start time and stay logged in. When the session opens, you'll be ready to focus on the visit - not fighting with passwords.

If your first video visit won't connect or drops right away, start with the basics: check that your PC is connected to the internet and your camera is working. Need to reschedule? Go to the JPay Video Visits page, find the Video Visit box for your session, and click Edit to adjust your appointment.

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