When Skype is silent – fixing the audio on a Mac

I spent half my day today re-reading and re-reviewing and re-tweaking options, settings and preferences in an attempt to fix my silent Skype. I tried the help forums and I searched. I called the test call lady and couldn’t hear her voice (I’ve heard her before, that’s how I know she exists). I could hear a ring, and my video worked, but that was it. I checked my Skype setting and my Macbook pro system audio settings. Nothing made a difference and there was no other info to be found anywhere.

I started wondering, is my bad ear really just gone.. out for the count?

Finally, I shut all my apps and restarted the computer.

Voila! Problem solved!

Darnit, that was easy… rule to remember, when in doubt, restart.

Here are some things to look for if you find yourself fighting similar issues.

Audio settings to check if you are having problems with Skype:

• Macbook Pro system audio settings:
  You can add your own mic and/or headset, but make sure you get everything working with default settings, without the extras first.
  • Output – Internal Speakers / Built-in output
  • Input – Internal microphone / Built-in microphone
• Skype audio settings:
  Skype > preferences > audio
  • Audio output: Built-in Output Internal Speakers
  • Audio input: Built-in Microphone Internal microphone
  • Ringing: Built-in Output Internal Speakers

Tagged as: skype, technical difficulties