Why Skype Isn’t Working on Your Windows 10 PC and How to Fix It

Skype, the popular video-calling and messaging application, has been a go-to tool for many people to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. However, some Windows 10 users have reported issues with Skype not working properly on their machines. If you’re one of those users, don’t worry – there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to get Skype up and running again.

Minimum System Requirements for Skype

One of the most common reasons why Skype might not be starting on your Windows 10 desktop is that your system doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for the latest version of the application. Skype has specific hardware and software requirements that need to be met in order for the application to function correctly.

According to Microsoft, the minimum system requirements for Skype on Windows 10 are:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 2 GB
• Disk space: 200 MB
• Operating system: Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Internet connection: Broadband internet connection

If your Windows 10 PC doesn’t meet these minimum requirements, you may experience issues with Skype not opening or crashing unexpectedly. In this case, you may need to consider upgrading your hardware or using an older version of Skype that is compatible with your system.

Checking and Updating Skype

Another potential reason why Skype might not be working on your Windows 10 PC is that the application is not up-to-date. Skype, like many other software programs, receives regular updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and add new features. If you’re using an outdated version of Skype, you may encounter compatibility issues or other problems that prevent the application from working correctly.

To check if you’re using the latest version of Skype, follow these steps:

1. Open the Skype application on your Windows 10 PC.
2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the Skype window.
3. Select “Check for Updates” from the menu.
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the latest version of Skype.

Once you’ve updated Skype, try launching the application again to see if the issue has been resolved.

Resetting and Reinstalling Skype

If you’ve checked the system requirements and updated Skype, but the application still isn’t working, you may need to try resetting or reinstalling the application. This can help resolve any underlying issues or conflicts that may be causing the problem.

To reset Skype on your Windows 10 PC, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Skype”.
2. Right-click on the Skype app and select “App settings”.
3. Scroll down and click on the “Reset” button.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.

If resetting Skype doesn’t work, you can try reinstalling the application. To do this:

1. Open the Start menu and search for “Control Panel”.
2. Click on “Uninstall a program”.
3. Locate Skype in the list of installed programs and click “Uninstall”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
5. Visit the Skype website and download the latest version of the application.
6. Install the new version of Skype and try launching the application again.

By resetting or reinstalling Skype, you can often resolve any underlying issues that may be preventing the application from working correctly on your Windows 10 PC.

Checking for Conflicts with Other Applications

In some cases, Skype may not be working on your Windows 10 PC due to conflicts with other applications or software installed on your system. For example, if you have a third-party antivirus or firewall software installed, it may be blocking Skype from accessing the necessary resources it needs to function properly.

To check for potential conflicts, try the following steps:

1. Open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl Shift Esc.
2. Click on the “Processes” tab and look for any processes related to Skype or other third-party applications that may be running in the background.
3. If you see any suspicious processes, try ending them and then relaunch Skype.
4. If you have any antivirus or firewall software installed, try temporarily disabling it and see if that resolves the issue with Skype.

Keep in mind that disabling your security software may leave your system vulnerable, so be sure to re-enable it once you’ve confirmed that Skype is working correctly.

Checking Audio and Video Settings

Another potential reason why Skype might not be working on your Windows 10 PC is due to issues with the audio or video settings. Skype requires access to your computer’s microphone and camera in order to function properly, and if these settings are not configured correctly, you may encounter problems with the application.

To check your audio and video settings in Skype:

1. Open the Skype application and click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
2. Select “Settings” from the menu.
3. In the Settings menu, click on the “Audio & Video” tab.
4. Ensure that the correct microphone and speaker devices are selected, and that the volume levels are set appropriately.
5. Click on the “Video” tab and make sure that the correct camera device is selected.
6. If you’re still experiencing issues, try selecting a different audio or video device and see if that resolves the problem.

If you’re still having trouble with Skype after trying these troubleshooting steps, you may need to contact Skype support or consider using an alternative video-calling application until the issue is resolved.