Most of the time, Skype just works. Merely sometimes, yous'll encounter a snag and find that Skype can't connect or otherwise isn't working properly. These troubleshooting steps will solve most mutual Skype problems, whether your microphone isn't working or the other person sounds like a robot.

If you withal find that Skype is not working later on following these steps, inquire the person you lot're contacting to run through this list likewise---the problem could be on their stop.

1. Check Skype Heartbeat

Skype Heartbeat Report

Earlier you do any troubleshooting of your own, you lot should check if the overall Skype service is having issues. If Skype won't connect or you lot tin't utilize a specific Skype feature, cheque the Skype Heartbeat page.

Y'all can also access this from the Skype app by clicking the iii-dot Menu button at the tiptop-left and opening the Settings menu. Select Help & Feedback from the listing on the left, and so click Skype Status to open the page in your browser.

The heartbeat page informs you of Skype's system status. If there are any problems with Skype'southward infrastructure, you lot'll come across them hither. The folio as well lists recent Skype problems at the bottom as a reference. You lot can't do annihilation most these issues---wait for Microsoft to set up them and try connecting after.

2. Review Skype Audio Settings

If your Skype microphone is non working, you lot can test your microphone (and speakers) in the app. Click the three-dot Menu button and cull Settings, and then option the Sound & Video tab from the list.

To examination your microphone, speak into it. You should see the blue dots nether Microphone motility as you speak.

Skype Test Microphone Settings

If you don't come across the volume bar move, click the name of your mic adjacent to Microphone and select another device. Keep trying dissimilar devices until yous meet the volume slider motility when y'all talk. In a pinch, you can endeavor using your smartphone equally a makeshift microphone.

At that place'due south also a chance that you've blocked apps from using the microphone altogether in Windows ten'southward Settings console. To check this, open up the Settings app and visit the Privacy section. Under App permissions on the left sidebar, cull the Microphone tab.

Here, enable the Allow apps to admission your microphone slider, and make sure the Skype app has permission too. If yous're using the classic version of Skype, gyre down to Permit desktop apps to admission your microphone and brand sure yous accept the principal and Skype sliders enabled there, besides.

Windows 10 Change Mic Settings

No audio in Skype? On the aforementioned Audio & Video settings page in the app, make sure yous have the correct speakers chosen from the dropdown menu. Confirm that you have the book at an audible level, too.

Click the Test audio push underneath the Speakers section and you should hear the Skype call sound. If you don't, select a different device from the Speakers dropdown box and try over again.

three. Troubleshoot Sound Hardware

If playing with the options on the Audio & Video panel didn't aid, you should examine your hardware. Some microphones and headsets have volume sliders or mute switches on their cords. Thus, y'all could accept accidentally moved the slider or flipped the switch.

Besides, 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 right sound jack.

In most cases, the microphone port (input) is pink and the headphone jack (output) is dark-green. All the same, different audio hardware may sometimes use different colors.

PC Audio Ports

If you're using a desktop computer and the microphone doesn't work when it's plugged into the audio jack at the front of the PC, try the sound port at the dorsum of the computer. You may need to farther troubleshoot your microphone or fix general Windows x sound bug if nothing here works.

4. Edit Skype Video Settings

Assuming y'all have a webcam, you can bank check it from the same Audio & Video pane in Skype's Settings window. Here, you should see a preview feed from your webcam. Like the audio options, click the proper noun of your device at the tiptop-right to switch to some other if you have multiple webcams installed.

Skype Webcam Settings

If your webcam is connected and you lot don't see information technology in this window, you may need to install or update Windows drivers for it. You tin can usually grab drivers from your webcam or computer manufacturer's website.

Similar with the microphone troubleshooting, yous should as well bank check Windows ten'due south privacy settings for camera admission. Visit Settings > Privacy and bound to Camera on the left sidebar, underneath App permissions.

Make sure yous have Allow apps to access your photographic camera enabled, besides every bit confirming Skype has permission. Desktop users of Skype should ostend the same settings under Allow desktop apps to access your camera.

Windows 10 Desktop Apps Camera

Check out our full guide to troubleshooting Skype webcam bug for more information.

5. Make a Skype Test Call

If everything above works properly, try a examination phone call. To practice this, go to Settings > Audio & Video in Skype and click the Make a free test call link at the lesser of the page. Alternatively, you can add the Skype user echo123 (named Echo / Sound Test Service) to your contacts list and call it every bit a test.

Skype Test Call

The call testing service will ask you to speak into your microphone after a beep. It records what you say and, afterward a few seconds, plays your bulletin 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. And if you notwithstanding tin can't hear another person on Skype, information technology's probably a problem on their finish.

6. Review Bandwidth Usage

If you lot---or anyone else on your network---are overloading your network bandwidth with intensive tasks like downloading big 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 connexion icon when this happens.

Close whatever programs downloading files (both on your computer and on other devices in your abode) and try placing the Skype call again. If you're on a Wi-Fi network, attempt moving closer to your router to improve your connection. You lot might likewise want to run through our network troubleshooting guide if you're having further network issues.

vii. If Skype Is Not Loading at All

If you can't log into Skype, you may accept an issue with your Microsoft account. Visit Microsoft's account recovery page to recover your password, then try signing in again.

In instance your issues still persist, or you have other specific bug like Skype search non working, information technology's a good idea to uninstall and reinstall Skype to clear up whatsoever underlying problems. You tin also try using the Skype web app instead of the desktop version.

Skype Troubleshooting Fabricated Easy

Using this quick checklist, you can eliminate common Skype problems and make your calls sound great. Most of the fourth dimension, what seems like a huge problem when Skype is not working is a pretty simple fix.

Remember that for Skype group calls, ane user experiencing whatever of these problems could affect the quality for everyone. If you lot've decided that information technology isn't worth using the service anymore, attempt one of the best free alternatives to Skype.

Paradigm Credits: Grublee, Tomas Jasinskis, RossHelen/Shutterstock

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