Skype Probelm - Router/modem connectivity related. Before you conduct these tests, make sure that you can connect to the internet and that your network. Jul 27, 2017 - Clients connect to the server through many components. In this article, we'll look at what needs to be done if you can't log into skype for.
Most of the time, Skype just works. But sometimes, you’ll run into a snag and find that Skype can’t connect or otherwise isn’t working right. These troubleshooting steps will solve most common Skype problems, whether your microphone isn’t working or the other person sounds like a robot.
If you still find that Skype is not working after following these steps, be sure to ask the person you’re contacting to try them too—the problem could be on their end.
1. Check Skype Heartbeat
Before you do any troubleshooting, you should check if Skype itself is having issues. If Skype won’t connect or you can’t use a specific Skype feature, check the Skype Heartbeat page. You can also access this by clicking the Help menu in Skype and selecting Heartbeat (Skype Status).
The heartbeat page informs you of Skype’s system status. If there are any problems with Skype’s infrastructure, you’ll see them here. The page also lists recent Skype issues7 Skype Bugs That Microsoft Could Have Avoided7 Skype Bugs That Microsoft Could Have AvoidedHave you been struggling with Skype? The latest update was full of bugs again. Microsoft released a fix. Still many issues remain. What's the beef you have with Skype?Read More at the bottom as a reference. You can’t do anything about these issues—wait for Microsoft to fix them and try connecting later.
2. Review Skype Audio Settings
If your Skype microphone is not working, you can test your microphone (and speakers) from the Audio Settings panel. Open the Options window in Skype by clicking Tools > Options.
To test your microphone, speak into it. You should see the green volume bar under Microphone move as you speak.
If you don’t see the volume bar move, click the dropdown box next to Microphone and select another device. Keep trying different devices until you see the volume slider move when you talk. In a pinch, try using your smartphone as a makeshift microphoneHow to Use Your Smartphone as a Windows MicrophoneHow to Use Your Smartphone as a Windows MicrophoneA microphone is useful when you want to join a conversation online. What if your computer doesn't have one? Simply hook up your smartphone as a mic. Here's how.Read More.
Windows 10 users may have blocked apps from using their microphone altogether. To check this, head to Settings > Privacy and select the Microphone tab to the left. Enable the Allow apps to access your microphone slider, and make sure the Skype app has permission too.
No sound in Skype? Test your speakers in the same way by clicking the Play button to the right of the Speakers box. You should hear the Skype call sound. If you don’t, select a different device from the Speakers dropdown box and try again.
3. Troubleshoot Audio Hardware
If playing with the options on the Audio Settings panel doesn’t help, examine your hardware itself. Some microphones and headsets have volume sliders or mute switches on their cords. Thus, you could have accidentally moved the slider or flipped the switch.
Also, check to make sure that your microphone and speakers are plugged into the correct ports. You can plug USB microphones into any USB slot, while analog microphones must connect to the correct sound jack.
The microphone jack is usually the pink one, although different audio hardware may sometimes use different colors.
If you’re using a desktop computer and the microphone doesn’t work when it’s plugged into the sound jack at the front of the PC, try the sound jack at the back of the computer. You may need to troubleshoot your microphoneHow to Fix Your Microphone Problems in Windows 10How to Fix Your Microphone Problems in Windows 10Is your mic not working at all or cutting out constantly? Try these sound input troubleshooting tips for Windows.Read More if nothing works.
4. Edit Skype Video Settings
Assuming you have a webcam, you can configure it from the Video settings pane in Skype’s Options window.
If your webcam is connected and you don’t see it in this window, you may need to install drivers for it. You can usually grab drivers from your webcam or computer manufacturer’s website.
As mentioned in the microphone troubleshooting section, you should also check Windows 10’s privacy settings for camera access. Visit Settings > Privacy and open Camera on the left sidebar. Make sure you have Allow apps to access your camera enabled, as well as confirming Skype has permission.
Check out our guide to troubleshooting Skype webcam problemsSkype Video Not Working? How to Test and Troubleshoot Your CameraSkype Video Not Working? How to Test and Troubleshoot Your CameraIt is frustrating when Skype video is not working. Use this checklist to solve the common problems with Skype's video stream.Read More for more information.
5. Make a Skype Test Call
If everything above works properly, try a test call. One way you can perform this is by clicking the Make a free test call link at the bottom of the Audio settings window. You can also add the Skype user named echo123 (named Echo / Sound Test Service) to your contacts list and call it as a test.
The call testing service will ask you to speak into your microphone after a beep. It records what you say and, after a few seconds, plays your message back to you. This ensures that everything is working properly—your microphone, speakers, and the network connection. If the call worked properly, you should be good to go.
At this point, if you can’t hear another person on Skype, it’s probably a problem on their end.
6. Double-Check Bandwidth Usage
If you—or anyone else on your network—are overloading your network bandwidth with intensive tasks like downloading large files or streaming 4K video, you’ll experience poor call quality. One of the obvious signs of network congestion is robotic-sounding voices. Skype will usually display a red connection icon when this is happening.
Close any file-downloading programs (both on your computer and on other computers on the network) and try placing the Skype call again. If you’re on a Wi-Fi network, try moving closer to your router to improve your connection. You might also want to run through our network troubleshooting guideNetwork Problems? 7 Diagnostic Tricks and Simple FixesNetwork Problems? 7 Diagnostic Tricks and Simple FixesNetwork problems must be diagnosed before they can be resolved. This article covers seven simple tricks for fixing your network.Read More if you’re having further network problems.
Skype Problems Solved!
Using this quick checklist, you can eliminate common Skype problems and make your calls sound great. Most of the time, what seems like a huge problem is a pretty simple fix.
Remember that for Skype group calls, one user experiencing any of these problems could affect the quality for everyone. Also, you can always get more troubleshooting tips from the call quality guide integrated into Skype. Click the Help menu and select Call Quality Guide to open it.
You can become a better user with our top Skype efficiency tips10 Tips to Make You a More Efficient Skype User10 Tips to Make You a More Efficient Skype UserSkype can do more than you think. With this article, you'll learn all about its best hidden and advanced features. It's the Skype productivity manual.Read More. Or if you’ve decided that Skype isn’t worth it after all, try one of the best free alternatives to SkypeSick of Skype? 7 Best Free Skype AlternativesSick of Skype? 7 Best Free Skype AlternativesSkype alternatives can free you from mediocrity and greatly improve the video chat experience. This article covers eight options.Read More.
Image Credits: Grublee, Tomas Jasinskis, RossHelen/Shutterstock
Explore more about: Chat Client, Online Chat, Skype, Tech Support, Troubleshooting, Video Chat / Call, VoIP, Webcam.
- What's the 7th thing you must check? Only 6 are listed here.
- They ran out of the ideas:D
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Skype connection problems make it impossible to initiate or sustain a call. Connection issues can originate in a number of places, from your Skype account to the quality of your Internet router. By systematically checking all potential causes, you can improve overall call quality and head off future connection problems.
Check Internet Connection Speed
When you are having problems connecting with Skype, a poor Internet connection is often the problem. At the very minimum, you are required to have an upload and download speed of 30Kbps for standard voice calls; Skype recommends an upload and download speed of 100Kbps. For an HD video call, the minimum speed is 1.2Mbps and the recommended speed is 1.5Mbps. To check your connection speed, initiate a call, click on the 'Check settings' button and select 'Test now.' If your connection is not fast enough to support the call, Skype suggests closing other Internet applications and pausing downloads or uploads. Keep in mind that the connection problem may also originate on the other end of the call.
Upgrade Skype and Computer Software
Older versions of Skype can cause connection problems, particularly when used with newer computer operating systems. Skype recommends that you always use the most up-to-date version to take advantage of new technology and bug fixes. To check for updates in Windows 8, open your Home screen, tap on the 'Store' tile and select the 'Updates' link. If a newer version of Skype is available, it will appear in the Updates section; tap on the tile and follow the prompts to complete the installation. Skype also suggests that you install the latest software updates for your operating system. This is particularly true for Windows 8 users, as Windows 8.1 features Skype as the default messaging program.
Confirming Skype Credit Availability
If you are having problems connecting to a land-line or a mobile phone, the problem is often due to insufficient credit. Check your credit by choosing 'Account' from the Skype menu. If you have a subscription, but still cannot connect, Skype recommends that you verify that the type of number and geographic location you are trying to call falls within your plan's coverage. Some subscriptions only cover specific cities or types of phone numbers. In the case of a limited subscription, you may have exceeded your monthly calling cap; to make a call, you will need to upgrade the subscription or add Skype credit.
Verify Skype Functionality
Occasionally, connection issues are due to problems with Skype itself. Skype publishes the status of all services on the Heartbeat blog (see Resources). If standard troubleshooting steps do not work, check the blog. At the top of the blog, look for the icons representing Call Phones, Skype Number, Voice Messaging and Skype SMS. The status of each service appears directly under the icon. If Skype has a problem, it updates the status and posts a blog post to apprise users of the expected solution time. When the issue is resolved, Skype adds a notice to the post, along with the a timestamp.
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About the Author
Elizabeth Smith has been a scientific and engineering writer since 2004. Her work has appeared in numerous journals, newspapers and corporate publications. A frequent traveler, she also has penned articles as a travel writer. Smith has a Bachelor of Arts in communications and writing from Michigan State University.
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Smith, Elizabeth. 'How to Fix a Skype Connection Problem.' Small Business - Chron.com, http://smallbusiness.chron.com/fix-skype-connection-problem-75746.html. Accessed 11 June 2019.
Smith, Elizabeth. (n.d.). How to Fix a Skype Connection Problem. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/fix-skype-connection-problem-75746.html
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