Skype is especially for video chat and voice calls, and these two audio and video features should work well. Skype is used for various purposes across the world for interviews, meetings, and many others. If you’re having problems with your Skype calls, there can be multiple causes for this. Many times a bad connection can cause poor audio and video quality, delays, and dropped calls. Here is how to troubleshoot Skype audio and video issues on desktop and mobile.
Common troubleshooting solutions for both desktop and mobile:
1. Fulfill the minimum system requirements for the Skype version you’re using: For running software on a device, there is some minimum system requirement that device should fulfill. If the machine fails to meet the minimum requirements, Skype may not work or work with troubles. Therefore, check the minimum requirements for your device.
2. Check the internet connection: An internet call quality completely depends on the internet connection and speed. A poor connection can cause poor sound, frozen video, and dropped calls, and you’ll also see an error message “Poor network connection” when this happens. Make sure you’re having a strong network signal and receiving a good speed.
3. Close running programs: Streaming online audio and video, running sharing applications, browser, or any other application that use the internet can eat up the bandwidth that results in a poor Skype call quality. If these types of any program are running, close them.
4. Turn off power-saving mode: If your laptop is in power-saving mode and you’re using Skype over it, then power-saving mode could be the reason for the Skype audio and video issues. Turn off the power-saving mode or charge your laptop.
Specific troubleshooting solutions for computers:
• Check the connections: If you’re using an external camera, microphone, headphones, or speakers on your computer, then make sure connected correctly and not disabled or muted.
• Check your Camera: If you’re having video issue, blurry video, or black screen, then once check your camera. Make sure that the camera is on and nothing is obstructing it. Try cleaning the camera with a soft cloth. If you’re using Windows 10, then you also need to verify whether your webcam meets minimum requirements for apps.
• Check the System’s privacy permissions: If your computer is running on Mac OSX Mojave 10.14 or later, or Windows 10, then you need to allow the permission for Skype to access camera and microphone. To do so,
On Mac OSX Mojave 10.14 or later:
1. Go to ‘System Preferences.’
2. Select ‘Security & Privacy’.
3. Open ‘Privacy’ tab.
4. Select ‘Microphone/Camera’ and allow permission for Skype.
On Windows 10:
1. Navigate to ‘Settings’ from Start.
2. Select ‘Privacy’.
3. Then choose ‘Camera or Microphone.’
4. For both, turn on the toggle switch of Skype.
• Try a test call: After trying these solutions, you can make a test call to check if still, the trouble is occurring. Here is how to make a Skype test call on the desktop.
1. Click on your ‘Profile’ icon.
2. Go to ‘Settings.’
3. Then select ‘Audio & Video Settings’.
4. And click ‘Make a test call.’
Specific troubleshooting solutions for Mobile:
• Check your headphones, microphone, or speaker: If you’re using a headset while Skype call, make sure they are connected to your device and the volume is not low or muted.
• Check your Phone’s camera: While video calling, make sure the correct camera is on, and there’s nothing over the lens. Try cleaning the camera with a soft or slightly damped cloth.
• Make a test call: You can make a test call on Skype and check whether your microphone is working correctly. Here is how to make a test call on Skype mobile.
1. Find the ‘Echo/Sound Test Service’ in contacts.
2. Call ‘Echo’.
If still, the audio or video quality is poor, then maybe the problem is on the other side person’s device.
Davis Johnson is a self-professed security expert; she has been making the people aware of the security threats. Her passion is to write about Cybersecurity, cryptography, malware, social engineering, internet and new media. She writes for Norton security products at norton.com/setup.
