Skype is one of the best versatile apps used for communicating with your friends, family members, and colleagues, either in voice or video. The video chat on Skype is very interesting and this fun can turn into stress when the Skype camera fail to work. Skype camera not working is a common issue faced on Windows, Android, and iOS devices. As far as you come to know about the troubleshooting methods, you need not worry at all! This guide will help you learn the reasons that cause Skype video not working issue and the steps to troubleshoot the same on your Windows 10 PC. Here we go!

How to Fix Skype Camera Not Working on Windows 10

Here are some common reasons that cause Skype camera not working Windows 10 issues. Analyze them deeper so you can follow the troubleshooting methods accordingly.

Contents

  • How to Fix Skype Camera Not Working on Windows 10

  • Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods

  • Method 2: Run Hardware & Device Troubleshooter

  • Method 3: Allow Skype to Access Camera

  • Method 4: Update Windows

  • Method 5: Update Camera Drivers

  • Method 6: Update DirectX

  • Method 7: Reinstall Camera Driver

  • Method 8: Roll Back Camera Driver Updates

  • Method 9: Switch to Generic Driver

  • Method 10: Modify Antivirus Settings

  • Method 11: Disable Windows Defender Firewall (Not Recommended)

  • Method 12: Tweak Registry Keys

  • Method 13: Re-register Camera

  • Method 14: Reset Camera App

  • Method 15: Reinstall Skype

  • Method 16: Use Skype Web Version

  • Method 17: Replace Webcam

  • Skype server issues

  • Camera is not properly connected

  • Network connection is not stable

  • Some other app on your computer is using your camera

  • Video call settings on Skype are not appropriate

  • Webcam drivers are outdated

  • Camera is blocked by antivirus or firewall settings

  • Outdated Windows 10 PC

  • Incorrect privacy settings

  • Outdated Skype

  • Outdated DirectX

  • Incorrect camera settings

Now, move to the next section, where you can find some troubleshooting methods to fix Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue.

In this section, we have compiled a list of methods that help you fix Skype video not working Windows 10 issue. Follow them in the same order to attain perfect results.

Method 1: Basic Troubleshooting Methods

  1. Clean Camera/Webcam

If you see a black webcam on your Skype, this may be because something is covering your camera either a cloth or dust.

  • Check if your inbuilt camera or web camera is filled with something like dust, dirt, and even cover.
  • Take a clean microfiber cloth and clean your camera. Make sure you do not damage it. Check if the camera works on Skype.
  1. Restart PC

Restarting your computer will resolve many complicated issues and if Skype camera not working Windows 10, reboot your computer as instructed below.

  1. Press the Windows + D keys together to go to the Desktop.

  2. Then, press the Alt + F4 keys simultaneously.

  3. Now, select the Restart option and hit Enter key as shown.

  4. Check Skype Server Status

If your Skype server is out of the network, you must face Skype video not working. If you are facing the same, check the Skype server status as instructed below.

  1. Visit the official Skype Status page.

  2. Now, ensure you get a Normal service message.

  3. If you receive something else, you have no other options than to wait.

  4. Check Internet Connection

If your network connection is not stable, you cannot make video calls in any online application. Make sure your internet is stable and there are no interruptions between your router and the device. Run a speed test to check whether you have enough network stability to use Skype without any errors.

Also, check if your device satisfies the below requirements.

  • Clear all the interferences between your router and device.
  • Connect limited devices to the same network.
  • Ensure you have bought the router verified by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
  • Avoid using old, broken, or damaged cables.

If you face any trouble with the internet connection, check our guide How to Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Problems on Windows 10 to fix them.

  1. Close Background Programs using Camera

If there are too many applications and programs running on your computer, it may slow down your PC and cause Skype video not working Windows 10 issue. If there are any other video calling apps, perhaps they might interfere with Skype, causing you trouble. You must make sure you close all the applications by following our guide How to End Task in Windows 10.

Also Read: Fix Camera In Use by Another App in Windows 10

Method 2: Run Hardware & Device Troubleshooter

If there are any internal hardware issues with your camera, you can run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. This process will identify the issues with your device and fix the same. Follow as instructed below.

  1. Press the Windows + R keys together to launch the Run dialog box.

  2. Type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic and hit Enter key.

  3. In the Hardware and Devices window, click on Next.

  4. Now, follow the on-screen instructions and reboot the PC.

The troubleshooting process will often fix Skype video not working Windows 10.

Note: Sometimes, your troubleshooter may not identify any problem. In this case, move to the next method.

Also Read: Fix Skype Stereo Mix Not Working in Windows 10

Method 3: Allow Skype to Access Camera

When your Operating System blocks the camera, you cannot use it for any of your devices. There are a few settings on your computer and when you have enabled them, you can fix Skype video not working Windows 10 issue. Ensure you have enabled camera permissions for Skype as instructed below.

  1. Open Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I keys simultaneously.

  2. Then, click on Privacy.

  3. Navigate to the Camera menu in the left pane and toggle on Allow apps to access your camera option in the right pane.

  4. Then, scroll down the screen and toggle on the Skype app under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera as depicted.

  5. If you cannot find Skype in the list, visit this link for further details or simply skip to the following troubleshooting method.

Method 4: Update Windows

Skype has its requirements for Windows PC. If you want to enjoy all the fully effective features of the app, you have to make sure your Operating system is at its latest. It is very rare, yet if you have a corrupt or old operating system, you will face Skype video not working Windows 10 issue. To checkmark this problem, you have to go for a Windows update. If you are confused about how to update your Windows operating system, check our guide How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update and follow as instructed.

Once you have updated your Windows Operating System, check whether you can access your camera.

Also Read: Fix Snap Camera No Available Camera Input Error

Method 5: Update Camera Drivers

Sometimes you may leave the camera drivers not updated or neglected anyways. Few features of Skype get automatically updated. This newer version of Skype will not be supported by the outdated drivers and now, to resolve Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue, you have to update your camera drivers.

Many users have suggested that updating drivers have fixed Skype camera not working issue. Read and implement the steps instructed in our guide 4 Ways to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 10 to do so.

Note: In the given article, steps to update graphics drivers are instructed. Make sure you follow the same for your camera drivers too.

Once you have updated your drivers, check if you can use your camera on Skype.

Method 6: Update DirectX

To enjoy a seamless multimedia experience on Skype, you have to make sure whether DirectX is installed, and it is updated to its latest version. DirectX helps you improve the visual media experience for graphical games and applications especially. It is worth updating DirectX needed for Skype calls.

DirectX 12 is flexible for high graphical support applications in your Windows 10 computer. This lets Skype know what to do and you can follow the below-mentioned steps to check if your system already contains DirectX 12.

  1. Press Windows Key + R and type dxdiag, then hit Enter.

  2. The following screen will be displayed on the screen when your Windows 10 PC already contains DirectX 12.

  3. If you do not have DirectX 12 in your system, download and install it from the official website by following the on-screen instructions.

After installing DirectX, check if the issue occurs again.

Also Read: Fix Laptop Camera Not Detected on Windows 10

Method 7: Reinstall Camera Driver

If you still face Skype video not working Windows 10 issue after updating your camera drivers, then reinstall them to fix any incompatibility issues. There are several ways to reinstall drivers on your computer. Yet, you can easily reinstall camera drivers as instructed in our guide How to Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers on Windows 10.

After reinstalling camera drivers, check if you have fixed camera issues in Skype.

Method 8: Roll Back Camera Driver Updates

If you have not attained any fix for Skype video not working Windows 10 issue even after updating or reinstalling the camera drivers, you can try rolling back of drivers. This process will bring the drivers to the previous version where it was working fine. The steps to roll back your drivers are very simple. Follow the steps as instructed in our guide How to Rollback Drivers on Windows 10 to fix the discussed issue.

Also Read: How to Fix Omegle Camera Not Working

Method 9: Switch to Generic Driver

If updating/restoring/reinstalling camera drivers does not help you fix Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue, then you can switch to generic built-in drivers that are already present in your Windows 10 operating system. The below-listed instructions help you fix any corrupt device drivers.

  1. Hit the Windows key and type device manager, then click on Open.

  2. Then, expand the Cameras section by double-clicking on it. Right-click on your camera driver and then, select Update driver as shown.

  3. Now, click on Browse my computer for driver software followed by Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer in the upcoming window.

  4. Then, select any generic webcam driver for Windows.

  5. Wait until Windows installs the latest compatible driver and if you receive any prompts, click on Yes to proceed.

  6. Finally, close the device manager, restart your computer and check if you can video chat on Skype.

Method 10: Modify Antivirus Settings

Modern antivirus programs and firewall protection monitor and manage every individual device connected to your Windows 10 PC. This enhances your privacy settings, yet this is irritating sometimes. If your Skype camera not working Windows 10, this might be due to an overprotective antivirus suite. Look through your antivirus settings and check whether Skype is blocked by your antivirus suite. You can also disable/whitelist any inbuilt or third-party antivirus software temporarily to resolve the same.

Option I: Whitelist Skype

If you do not want Skype to be blocked by any antivirus program, then you may it to the allowed apps list. Follow the below-mentioned steps to whitelist Skype in your third-party antivirus program.

Note: Here, Avast is taken as an example, follow the steps according to your antivirus program.

  1. Press the Windows key and type avast, then click on Open.

  2. Now, click on the Menu option in the right corner as depicted.

  3. Then, select Settings from the drop-down list.

  4. Now, in the General tab, click on the Blocked & Allowed apps tab, and in the right pane, click on ALLOW APP under the List of allowed apps field.

  5. Now, click on ADD > option corresponding to Skype to add the application to the whitelist.

Note: Here App Installer is taken as an example, follow the steps according to your antivirus program.

Note: You can browse for the Skype installation path by selecting the SELECT APP PATH option.

  1. Finally, click on ADD to confirm the prompt, and now, you have added Skype to Avast Whitelist.

Note: Here, you may check/uncheck the Avast features (like Ransomware Shield) depending upon your convenience.

  1. If you want to remove Skype (later if you wish) from the Avast whitelist, then click on the three-dotted icon in the main Settings window. You will see two options over here. Click on Remove.
  • Change allowed features: You can modify the features that you have enabled while whitelisting the program.
  • Remove: Remove Skype from the Avast whitelist.

Option II: Disable Antivirus Temporarily (If Applicable)

If you do not know how to disable the antivirus program on your Windows 10 PC, please check our guide How to Disable Antivirus Temporarily on Windows 10, and follow the instructions.

Also Read: How to Uninstall McAfee LiveSafe in Windows 10

The inbuilt security suite in your computer might block camera accessing applications due to some security reasons. So, you may face Skype video not working Windows 10 issue. If your Skype camera accessing rights are blocked by Windows Defender Firewall, check our guide How to Disable Windows 10 Firewall, and follow the same instructions. Usually disabling the defender suite is not recommended due to threat attacks. So, some users prefer to allow an app or program in the Windows Defender Firewall whitelist. Follow our guide Allow or Block Apps through the Windows Firewall if you want to whitelist Skype on Windows Firewall.

Note: Always re-enable Windows Firewall once you have fixed any conflicts with your Windows 10 apps and programs. This helps you prevent any malicious attacks.

Method 12: Tweak Registry Keys

Some users have suggested that tweaking some registry keys in the Registry editor has helped them fix Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue. Follow the below-listed instructions.

  1. Hit the Windows key and type Registry editor, then click on Open.

  2. Now, navigate to the following location path in the Registry Editor.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform

  1. Then, right-click on the right pane and click on New > DWORD (32-bit) Value to create a new registry key.

  2. Name the key as EnterFrameServerMode and double-click on the key to open it.

  3. Type the Value data as 0 and click on OK to save the changes.

  4. Finally, restart the PC and check if you can access the camera on Skype.

Also Read: Fix I/O Device Error in Windows 10

Method 13: Re-register Camera

If all the above-mentioned methods do not help you fix Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue, then try re-registering the camera with the help of the following instructions. This will fix all the hardware issues associated with the camera and thereby you can enjoy the video chat on Skype.

  1. Press the Windows key, type powershell, and click on Run as Administrator.

  2. Then, type the following command and hit Enter key.

Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

  1. Wait for the command to be executed and check if you have fixed the issue. If you’re still having issues with your device, you may need to reset the camera.

Method 14: Reset Camera App

If re-registering the camera does not help you fix Skype video not working Windows 10 issue, reset the camera app as instructed below.

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Camera, and click on App settings.

  2. Then, scroll down the screen and select the Reset option as highlighted.

  3. Next, click on Reset again on the prompt screen as shown.

  4. Finally, close the Settings app.

Also Read: How to Send Skype Code with Proper Format

Method 15: Reinstall Skype

If none of the above-stated methods helped you, then try to reinstall the software if possible. All the settings and configurational setup will be refreshed when you reinstall Skype, and hence there are more chances that you would attain a fix for Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue.

  1. Press and hold Windows + I keys together to open Windows Settings.

  2. Now, click on Apps.

  3. Now, search and click on Skype and select Uninstall option.

  4. Now, confirm the prompt if any, and reboot your PC once you have uninstalled Skype.

  5. Visit the official Skype download site and click on the Get Skype for Windows 10 & 11 buttons as depicted.

  6. Then, click on the Get Skype for Windows option and wait until the download gets completed on your device.

  7. Now, navigate to My downloads and launch the Skype Installer file.

  8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation of Skype on your PC. Finally, you have reinstalled Skype on your computer. It would have fixed all the issues associated with the app.

Method 16: Use Skype Web Version

If you have reinstalled Skype application on your Windows 10 device, but still facing a Skype video not working Windows 10 issue, then you have to look for some other effective alternative option that cause fix camera issues in Skype.

  1. Visit the Skype web version official site on your browser.

  2. Now, type your credentials, sign up for your account and start enjoying video chat on Skype.

Also Read: Fix 0xC00D36D5 No Cameras are Attached in Windows 10

Method 17: Replace Webcam

You are reading this method since you have not attained any fix for Skype camera not working Windows 10 issue. If you still cannot access camera in Skype web version and if everything seems to be black or blank, you can try replacing your webcam, since it might have been technically damaged. For an inbuilt version of the camera, seek professional help.

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We hope that this guide was helpful and you could fix Skype camera not working on Windows 10. Let us know which method worked for you the best. Also, if you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section.