If you've joined a Skype call but can't seem to figure out why your video isn't working or is choppy and looking very low-quality, frustration can set-in quickly. While that frustration may not help solve your problem, there are ways to make sure the video on your next Skype call works properly and looks great. Typically, the most common video complaints are:
The video camera isn't working at all
Choppy and/or very poor video quality
This guide will help make sure your device, camera, and Skype itself are properly prepared for your next video call.
2. Check the Skype Service Status Page
The first thing you should do is check the Skype Service Status page. On the status page you can check to see if there are any outages or service interruptions occurring. If there is an issue, simply wait for service to return or contact Skype's customer service.
3. My Camera Does Not Work
If you're loading up Skype and your camera doesn't appear to be working there's a couple things you can do to make sure you get back to having a visual.
Check your camera's status in Skype
The camera status in Skype is pretty simple to spot. It's either on or it isn't. If you don't see the ability to start sharing your camera then the meeting organizer has disabled it.
You can easily check the video status by looking at the icons at the bottom of the Skype active call screen.
The video icon has two different meanings:
Your Camera is Ready
If you see a white camera on a blue background, it means your camera is working and others should be able to see you. If you don't see your own video in the bottom right hand corner then try clicking this button.
Your Camera is Blocked
If you see a white camera with a white strikethrough, it means others should not be able to see you but you shouldn't be having any trouble seeing them. This means the meeting organizer or other caller has blocked video.
Based on the issue you're having, set your video to what you need it be:
If you can see others but they can't see you, make sure your camera isn't turned off.
Make sure the right camera is set up to be used by Skype
You could have more than one camera, or devices that can work as cameras, or it's possible that Skype just needs to be told which camera to use.
With Skype open, select your profile picture. This will open a menu.
Select Settings.
Select Audio & Video, then Camera. Make sure the correct Camera is selected.
Make sure that all other programs that might be using the camera such as Zoom, Hangouts, FaceTime, etc. are not using it or are closed.
You may need to close and reopen Skype to be able to initialize the camera.
If you have an external camera but you can't see the live view, you may need to unplug and plug it back in, or even try a different USB port.
Make sure you close Skype before doing this, and only open it after the camera is plugged back in.
Make sure your camera is up-to-date or has the latest drivers
Camera issues can sometimes be caused by outdated or corrupted drivers. Drivers are specific software that tell the operating system how to operate the computer's internal components.
Update the Camera Driver on a Windows PC
Search Device Manager.
Select Device Manager.
Select the small arrow next to Imaging devices to expand that section. If Imaging devices doesn't show in the list, look for Cameras instead.
Double click the camera to show its properties. Select the Driver tab.
Select Update Driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Windows will automatically locate any update available drivers.
If any updated drivers are available, you'll be offered the chance to install them. Once installed, or if none are available, close the driver updater.
Update the Camera Driver on a Mac
There are two areas to check for updates for your Mac, the System Software and the Apps installed from the App Store. When you update your Mac System, it will also update your video drivers.
Update System Software
Open the Apple menu, and select System Preferences.
Select Software Update.
Any updates to your System Software will be offered here.
Update App Store Apps
Open the Apple menu, and select App Store.
Select Updates on the left. Any updates available will be offered here.
Make sure Skype has permission to use your camera
If Skype doesn't have permission to use your camera, your camera just won't work with the program.
 
Granting Permissions on Windows
Click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
Click Privacy.
Scroll down and select Microphone.
Make sure Skype is ON.
Granting Permissions on Apple macOS
Beginning with macOS Mojave (10.14), security and privacy have been increased. Due to this, when certain apps are added you may be asked to allow permission for the app to access certain hardware. In this example, Zoom is asking to access your machine's camera.
At the time of installation, if you chose 'Don't Allow' in this case, the app would not be able to make use of your camera. Don't worry! We can check your machine's permission settings by doing the following:
Open the Apple Menu and select System Preferences.
Go to Security & Privacy.
Click the padlock at the bottom left of the Security & Privacy window.
Enter the administrator User Name and Password then click Unlock.
In the left pane select the item for which you wish to change the privacy settings, then put a check mark next to the app's name that you wish to allow access to for the item you selected. In this example, we're making sure that the Zoom app can access the camera.
The items you need to change permissions to for telecommunications apps are:
Camera – Allows others to see you through your camera,
Microphone – Allows others to hear you when you speak into your microphone,
Screen Recording – Allows you to show what's on your screen,
Files and Folders – Allows you to send and receive files, as well as record and save conversations or meetings onto your computer,
Accessibility – Allows someone else to control your computer remotely while in a meeting.
Some items are only available in macOS 10.15 Catalina or later. The items you need to change permissions to may be different for each app.
You will be asked if you wish to restart the app. If you need to set more permissions, choose Later.
Repeat the same process for each item you need to change permissions to.
Once you've set all the necessary permissions, quit the app and restart it.
 
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How to Check Skype Permission Settings on Android and iOS
Make sure Skype has permission to use your device's camera and microphone. Without this permission, Skype's microphone function will be blocked. Though Skype asks for this permission when the app is initially installed, you can still access it through settings.
Granting permission to Skype on Android
Navigate to your Android device's Settings.
Tap Applications then Application Manager.
Tap Skype.
Make sure Skype has access to your device's microphone. If it does not, you may need to reinstall the App.
Granting permission to Skype on iOS
Navigate to Settings.
Tap Privacy.
Tap Microphone.
Make sure Skype's permissions have been toggled on or green.
4. The Quality of My Video is Bad
While you're in a Skype call, if other participants are having difficulty properly seeing you, or if there are complaints about your video feed being blurry, fuzzy, or choppy - this may indicate that your device is struggling with the connection to the Skype service. This can be caused by a lack of system resources (processing power or memory), a poor connection to the internet, or a malfunctioning or low-quality camera. While the following solutions may not apply to the device you're using, the following can be attempted to improve your video quality during Skype calls.
Close any apps your device is not using
The computer, tablet, or smartphone you're using to place a call may be performing poorly due to its processor (CPU) being overworked by too many apps at once, or a lack of available memory (RAM) could be causing some slowdown. Also, if multiple apps are also accessing the internet at the same time, this could be leaving Skype with very little bandwidth while you're making a call. The best way to make sure this isn't a problem for your device is to quit or close any apps that aren't being used before starting a call.
Close Apps on a Windows PC
Closing Unused programs will give your computer more resources to use elsewhere.
Press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys on your keyboard at the same time.
Choose Task Manager from the screen that comes up.
You will see a list of programs that are open. Choose a program you are not using, and click on End Task. Repeat as needed.
Close Apps on a Mac
When you hit the red circle to close a window, the program may still run in the background. If you run too many applications at the same time you can have issues where you run out of memory, or an open program is using a good chunk of your CPU, and decrease battery life.
There are 2 ways to close a program on your Mac. The first way is preferred.
Quit A Program Normally
Look at the Dock, the bar with the icons, usually at the bottom of your screen.
Items that are running have a small black dot below them. Select that item to bring that App to the forefront.
Finder, the first icon on the bar, will always be running, and can be ignored.
Select the name of the program from the menu bar at the top, then choose Quit.
Force Quit a Program
Select the Apple menu, then select Force Quit.
Select the program you are having problems closing, then select Force Quit.
You will be prompted to confirm, select Force Quit.
Any unsaved work will be lost from a program that you Force Quit.
You can not close the Finder application.
Close Running Apps on an Android Device
Tap Recent Apps at the bottom of the screen.
The Recent Apps button may be located on either the bottom left or bottom right as either an onscreen button or a physical button. If you're unsure which button it is, please refer to the user manual of your android device.
Either tap the X or swipe to the side to close an app.
Close Running Apps on an iPad or iPhone
The way to show all running apps on an iOS device varies with the model you have:
Older iOS devices, up to the iPhone X, still come equipped with a circular home button beneath the screen.
Newer iOS devices, beginning with the iPhone X, no longer come equipped with the circular home button beneath the screen.
On iOS Devices with a Home Button
Double-press the Home button quickly.
On iOS Devices Without a Home Button
Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen.
You will now see a list of apps that are currently open. Swipe up on any of the apps to close them.
Reboot the device you'll be connecting to your meeting with
Slow performance may also be caused by underlying issues such as not enough memory. This can be quickly resolved by simply rebooting the device.
After rebooting your device, there may still be the need to close some apps that start up with it.
Reboot a Windows PC
Select the Start menu, then select Power.
Select Restart.
Reboot a Mac
From the menu bar across the top of the screen, select the Apple menu, then Restart...
Reboot an Android Device
Hold down the power button on your Android device.
Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
Select Power Off.
If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.
Wait 30 seconds.
Push and hold the Power button for a few moments, and your Android device will start back up.
Reboot an Apple iOS Device
Push and hold the Power button for a few moments.
Depending on the model of iPhone you have, the location of the power button may be on the top or on the right-hand side.
Slide the Power symbol on your screen to the right to shut down your iPhone.
Wait 30 seconds.
Push and hold the Power button for a few moments to turn your iPhone back on.
Troubleshoot the Internet Connection
If your computer is running fine or you've fixed your computer's performance issues, then your poor video quality may be caused by your Internet connection. Troubleshooting an Internet connection can become complicated and take a longer time. We have a few other guides that may help you fix it.
If you've exhausted all the above troubleshooting options or if you're using an older camera with low quality you may want to consider replacing it with a more up to date camera that can improve your video quality.
Keep in mind that if you have a built-in camera like in a smart phone, tablet, or laptop, you won't be able to replace those. With a laptop, you can use an external USB camera.
This will only improve the way you or others see your camera. It will not improve how you see other's cameras.
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