Solved – Can’t talk on Skype Under Windows 7
We’re huge Skype fans here. First we used it for international calling back to the US when we were living in the UK, then we loved it for its great video conferencing when we were in India. I’ve installed it on two Windows 7 implementations (both on the same machine) and have had problems with the sound card both times. Here’s the problem and fix:
Sometimes, when I would answer a call, instead of picking up, Skype would reject the call and give me a message that says: “No sound – There’s a problem with the sound card inside your computer. Try plugging in a USB headset for this call” It does this even though there is absolutely no problem with the sound card. The problem is intermittent but once it starts it’s hard to get rid of.
The solution I’ve found for this is as follows:
- In Windows 7, right click on the little speaker in the notification area (lower right of desktop)
- From the menu, select “Playback devices”
- On the “Sound” window, disable any sound devices that you don’t have or don’t use then select the one you want to use for Skype, it probably is called simply “Speakers” with the name of your sound card underneath it.
- Now click on “Properties”
- Next click on the “Advanced” tab
- Uncheck the box that says “Allow applications ot take exclusive control of this device” then click “Apply”, then “OK”
- You should now be back at the “Sound” window, click on the tab that says “Recording”. Highlight the microphone that you use for Skype and click on “Properties”
- Go to the “Advanced” tab and do the same thing you did for “Speakers”
- From the “Sound” window, do the same thing for the other microphones on your computer
- Reboot.
This should fix your Skype sound problem. Enjoy.
