Skype Sound and Audio Set-Up
PC Running Windows XP (XP Style)
In order to have Skype software running to its full potential you should complete the following steps.
Important! Please note that the following set of instructions may be different for some users due to their audio software/hardware manufacturer and their OS version.
How to…
- … get to the audio settings
- … change playback options
- … change recording options
- … check Skype’s configuration to use Windows default device
How to Get to the Audio Settings
Click on the Start button and continue to the Control Panel section of the Start menu
Control Panel Window will appear
In the Control Panel window find Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices section, click on it
The Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices window will appear
In the Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices window find the Sounds and Audio Devices section, click on it
How to Change Playback Options
The Sounds and Audio Devices panel will appear
Find the Audio section tab (top line of buttons), click on it
The Audio Settings section will open
In the Sound Playback section from the drop down menu, select the device that Skype uses
Click on the Volume button below the drop down menu
The Volume Control panel will appear
Find the Options menu button, click on it
Click on the Properties section
The Properties panel will appear
Find the Show the following volume controls: section
Check in all the unchecked boxes
Click the OK button
Make sure that Microphone volume controllers for playback are muted in the Volume Control panel
All the other volume controllers should be unmuted
Open the Options menu, click on Exit section
How to Change Recording Options
Find the Sound Recording section of the Sounds and Audio Devices panel
In the Sound Recording section from the drop down menu, select the device that Skype uses
Click on the Volume button
The Recording Control panel will appear
Click on the Properties section of the Options menu
The Properties panel will appear
Find the Show the following volume controls section
Check in all the unchecked boxes
Click the OK button
Make sure that Microphone volume controllers is checked in the Recording Control panel
Find the Options menu, click on it
Check if the Advanced Controls section is checked in, if not check it in
Find the Advanced button under the Microphone volume controller, click on it
The Advanced Controls for Microphone panel will appear
Find the Other Controls section
Microphone Boost must be checked off
Click the Close button
In the Recording Control panel find the Options menu button, click on it, click on Exit section
Test your Skype software now
If you are still having problems with the Microphone, then check the following possibilities:
Click on the Start button
Continue to the Programs section of the Start menu
Continue to the Accessories section of the Programs menu
Continue to the Entertainment section of the Accessories menu
Click on the Sound Recorder item
The Sound Recorder panel will appear
Try to record your speech though the microphone you use
Play it back
If you can't hear your recording, go to the Sounds and Audio section of the Control Panel and play with the microphone settings till the recording test works for you
If you can hear your recording, then make sure that Skype uses windows default audio device (follow the steps bellow)
How to Check Skype’s Configuration to Use Windows Default Device
Start Skype
Click on the Tools menu
Click on the Options section
The Skype Options panel will appear
Find the Hand/Headsets tab, click on it
In the Audio In drop down menu select the Windows default device
Click the Save button
Test your Skype software now
If you are still having problems with Audio or Microphone return to the Sounds and Audio section of the Control Panel and check for the following possibilities:
In the Sound Playback click Volume button and check the following:
Mute all has to be unchecked
Wave Mute has to be unchecked
Microphone Mute has to be checked in
Other channels (CD Player, Video, 3D Depth, etc) are not important
In the Sound Recording click the Volume button and check the following:
Microphone has to be checked in
All other options have to be checked off
No other channels must be selected for Skype to work properly
Test your Skype software now
If you are still having problems please go to our help center.
