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Skype Major Issues
Skype constantly drops video calls and the Skype "team" has YET to address this major issue. No, it's not the router or modem. It's the software. The software is deplorable at video call stability. It must be addressed immediately.
Yes, I am using a Mac.
And by the way, the video call quality could be so much better. We mac users have the best built-in webcams and Skype condenses the video to make it look awful. Maybe they should fix their software.
Yes, I am using a Mac.
And by the way, the video call quality could be so much better. We mac users have the best built-in webcams and Skype condenses the video to make it look awful. Maybe they should fix their software.
I’m angry
7
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I have this problem, too!
Tell me when someone solves it.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The best solution from the company
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Sorry to hear you've had problems with video calls. It might be worth looking at the call quality guide on our website, which details some of the more common problems.
Don't forget that the connection speed at both ends of the call matters, so even if your own internet connection is fast and reliable, if the person your calling has a less speedy connection, you may run into problems.
If you're getting poor video quality with Skype for Mac, it's likely to be a connection speed issue – try choosing Skype > Preferences > Advanced and click Display technical call info.
During a call, you'll see a window with details on the call, including a percentage of packet loss – this indicates the percentage of data which is lost between your computer and the computer of the person you’re calling. If this figure is high, then it’s worth checking wifi signal strength and firewall settings (more likely to affect a PC than a Mac) to make sure they’re not contributing to the problem.
If none of these suggestions do the trick, please let me know. I’ll be able to put you in touch with one of our dedicated troubleshooters.
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Inappropriate?Sorry to hear you've had problems with video calls. It might be worth looking at the call quality guide on our website, which details some of the more common problems.
Don't forget that the connection speed at both ends of the call matters, so even if your own internet connection is fast and reliable, if the person your calling has a less speedy connection, you may run into problems.
If you're getting poor video quality with Skype for Mac, it's likely to be a connection speed issue – try choosing Skype > Preferences > Advanced and click Display technical call info.
During a call, you'll see a window with details on the call, including a percentage of packet loss – this indicates the percentage of data which is lost between your computer and the computer of the person you’re calling. If this figure is high, then it’s worth checking wifi signal strength and firewall settings (more likely to affect a PC than a Mac) to make sure they’re not contributing to the problem.
If none of these suggestions do the trick, please let me know. I’ll be able to put you in touch with one of our dedicated troubleshooters.
The company says
this solves the problem
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Inappropriate?I have the same problems. Looking at the preferences, there is a large percentage of sent data loss between my computer and the person I am calling. There aren't any problems with received data. My computer is wired into the internet rather than wireless. As far as I can tell, there is nothing wrong on the mac firewall...
I’m annoyed
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Inappropriate?It’s worth asking the person your calling to check their settings too – they may have a firewall which is blocking some of the incoming Skype data, which would explain why there’s data loss in that direction.
Hope that makes sense – let me know if you continue to have problems. -
Inappropriate?Hi Peter,
Thank you for you quick response. The person who I was communicating with was also on a mac but via their wireless network. They tried calling other people and had no issues with the calls. I tried calling the skype test call and got through fine. I managed to call the same person yesterday and didn't experience any problems. The data lost varied during the call but I think it maxed out at about 16%. Is there anything that would be causing this as an intermittent problem?
I’m hopeful for a solution!
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Inappropriate?Wifi signal strength and bandwidth ‘congestion’ can both cause packet (data) loss – for example, if one of you is streaming video or downloading music while making the call, this is likely to impact call quality.
Let me know if it gets really bad again, and I’ll put you in touch with one of our troubleshooters. -
Inappropriate?Peter,
I almost never had dropped calls before I downloaded this current upgrade. Now every single call is dropped, sometimes after 7-8mins, sometimes much more quickly. We've started avoiding using it, which is too bad, because it's been a real benefit before now. -
Inappropriate?I have the same problem with dropped calls. This did not happen with previous software versions using the same set of computers to communicate over the same Internect connection. Skype is crappy software.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?Dmc/David – please confirm that you’re using the most recent version(s) of Skype (4.1.0.166 for Windows and 2.8.0.659 for Mac respectively).
Dropped calls are no fun for anyone, us at Skype included, so the more detail we can get about the circumstances the better. -
Inappropriate?I am having trouble with dropped video calls to two of my contacts. MY video is being received but not receiving transmitted video. one contact using comcast DSL the other using Verizon FIOS. This condition has worsened over the past couple of months.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?I am having trouble with dropped video calls & my video is not coming through . I am recieving video for a short time before it is dropped.
I’m confused
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Inappropriate?I am having tremendous lag with video calls just over the past few months with Skype. My video is being received perfectly, however, the return video is lagged and becomes pixelated. My connection is Verizon FIOS and the technical information box is not showing any lag. Is this an issue with FIOS or Skype. I also use a Mac.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?My video-calls drop every 2 to 5 minutes. Got the new update on it and the 4.1 version. It started couple days ago. Before I never had those problems.
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Inappropriate?OK, according to skype emails I need to check everything regarding latest software and system drivers, so I updated every driver on my comp and downloaded skype 4.1.0.179, but I still had calls that last about 15mins max.
Next step, new comp, core duo,2gig ram,256meg video, usb 2,Logitech
S7500 pro webcam, win XP pro SP3, ADSL 1500 ,excellent speed and internet is great. But guess what, yes your right, Skype is exactly the same.
So,Skype, do I now have 2 faulty computers?. Many of my contacts are no longer on line, they also have had so many problems that skype no longer boots with Windows. I have to agree with overmac's post ,The software is deplorable at video call stability. Everybody is not a computer wiz, the software should be more foolproof so it can be used by anybody. By the way the 15 min calls I do get are good quality. If my computer was the problem, would I be able to connect at all?. Please Skype ,take resonsability here and stop telling people it's there problem .Cheers.
I’m sad
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Inappropriate?I have exactly the same problem, 15 min into call it drops.
But here is something that might make Skype work it out.
Call will be dropped at the exact time that your display interval is set to sleep to.
If it is set to 15 min, in 15 min call drops.
This happens regardless of the fact that Skype is at least one of active applications, that the screen is being updated with video constantly, that the screen never goes to sleep
Regardless of all that Skype will drop the call, and sometimes also drop connection to the Skype servers.
Bottom right corner, shows Connecting..., then about 10 sec later, the number of people online.
I have tested this with my contacts, and whoever has the lowest display sleep interval determines drop out time. Set to 5 mins, in 5 mins, perfectly good connection and call will be dropped.
Set it to 18 mins, in 18 mins call gets dropped.
I repeat, this is regardless of any other network activity performed by other apps at the time. Emails are tickled every 10mins, etc.
I hope this sheds some light on this infuriating problem, and that we can have an update soon that gets it right.
That aside, it is still very cool piece of software.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?That is the most plausible explanation I have had so far, it makes sense.
I checked my screen saver and it is set to 15 mins. Standby set to 20 mins.
Outlook Express set to 15 mins. They have all been disabled so I'll see what happens. OE may be the cause for the drop in bandwith to critical just before the connection to Skype is lost, some large .jpg and vid emails could be hogging the bandwith. I contacted my ISP and had my service checked and the upload/download speeds were above average for ADSL 1500. Should be ample to run Skype without a problem. I will let you know how it goes now. Thanks for this reply, you may be on to something here because if this works it will solve a lot of problems for a lot of Skype users.
Could we please have a Skype Tech respond with there opinion to this post.
They may be able to add a Windows tweak that will dedicate more Bandwith
to Skype,
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