Skype can’t connect issue (8 Solutions)

Skype has definitely made our lives easier. We can use it to connect with our family and friends, as well as with our clients. However, like any other software, Skype can be prone to errors from time to time.

A common error that many Skype users have reported receiving is, “Skype can’t connect.”

It doesn’t take much to get rid of this error, and we’ll show you all the solutions below.

Solution 1 – Check Skype Heartbeat

This is the first thing you should do. There’s a good chance that the problem is not at your end, but at Skype’s. Check the status of Skype by:

• Open Skype and then click Help. Now click Heartbeat
• In the newly-opened webpage, you can detect the system status of this app. In case anything is amiss, you’ll see a message on this page
• If there’s a message regarding some issue with the connection, the only thing you can do is wait for technicians to fix it at their end

Solution 2 – Scan the PC for Malware

Another possible cause could be malware infection. Precisely for this reason, before attempting other solutions it’s important you rule out this possibility. We recommend running a full virus scan using either Windows Defender, the default protection software in Windows 10, or any other anti-malware software of your choice.

Solution 3 – Update Skype

An outdated version of Skype can lead to all kinds of problems, including this error. Here’s how you can keep Skype up-to-date.  

Visit the official website of Skype and download the latest Skype version. (It is important that you download the app only from its official website, and not any other site.)

Next, launch the Skype installer and follow onscreen instructions.

Solution 4 – Update Windows

If the error persists, the problem could be with your Windows 10, not Skype. Make sure Windows is up to date.

• Press Win + I and then click Update and Security. Next click Check for updates
• Let the latest updates come through
• Once Windows has installed all the recent updates, restart the computer
• Launch Skype and see if it’s now running fine

Solution 5 – Update Network Adapter Drivers

You may receive the aforementioned error if your network drivers are old or corrupt. To fix the problem, update the drivers. You can do this manually or automatically. We’ll discuss both the methods, so you can decide for yourself which one is more suitable.

Updating Network Adapter Drivers Manually

Perform the following steps:

• Press Windows logo key + R together to bring up the Run command
• In Run command, type devmgmt.msc and click OK
• In the Device Manager, expand Network Adapters
• Select the Network Adapter you’re using and right-click it
• Select update driver from the list of options
• In the next window, select Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Windows will search the internet to find a driver update and install it. If it does not find a driver update, you have to manually download the mouse driver and install it.
• Open Internet browser
• Go to the Network Adapater manufacturer’s website
• Go to the Download section and select your product
• Download mouse driver compatible with your OS version(Windows 7/8/8.1/10)
• Double-click on the driver setup file to install the driver
• Restart your computer

Updating Network Adapter Drivers Automatically

Automatic driver update tools offer many benefits, the most important ones being:

• You can update device drivers automatically
• The software scans and updates all outdated or missing drivers at one go
• The tool picks the right drivers for your device and operating system, so you won’t have to worry about installing an incorrect driver by mistake
• Automatic driver updates are 100% safe

Driver Updater is one of the best driver update tools out there. Outbyte Driver Updater will give you access to a database of over 1 million drivers. It will regularly scan your PC, suggesting new driver versions to install. Driver Updater contains drivers for a variety of Windows devices. With just one click, you can update drivers in your system.

Step 1
Click here to Install and launch the app

Step 2
Scan all devices

Step 3
Install or update drivers automatically

 

Start Download

 

Solution 6 – Configure the Firewall

Some users have complained that in their case the Firewall has lead to the listed error. Here’s how you can tweak the Firewall’s settings:

• Close the Skype app (Ensure the app is not running in background, so make use of Task Manager to close its processes)
• Open the Firewall
• Search Skype in the list of installed apps
• Select Allow Skype to connect to Internet
• Click Save
• Restart the Skype app

Solution 7 – Reinstall Skype

If the issue persists, perhaps its best to get a fresh install of the app. Before uninstalling and reinstalling it, you might want to take a backup of the Skype history.

• Press Win + R
• In the run dialog box, type %appdata%\Skype
• Click the OK button
• Copy “Your Skype Name” folder and My Skype Received Files folder
• Move these two to another location

Now uninstall Skype.

• Press Win + R
• In the run dialog box, type “appwiz.cpl” and press Enter
• Click Programs and Features
• Locate and right-click Skype and select Uninstall
• Follow the onscreen instructions
• Open Windows Explorer and browse to C:\Program Files
• Locate the Skype folder as well as SkypePM folder
• Select and Delete these two folders

It’s best that you uninstall Skype completely, which entails deleting its entries from Windows Registry as well. However, keep in mind, Windows Registry has zero tolerance to mistakes, so perform these steps exactly as shown below. Also, it won’t hurt a bit to take a backup of your registry first. Better safe than sorry.

To take registry backup, perform the following steps:

• Press Win + R keys
• Type regedit in the run dialog box and press Enter
• Select the key you want to backup
• Click File and then choose Export
• In the Export Registry File Dialog box, choose the location where you want to save the backup file, and then give the backup file a desired name
• Finally click the Save button

Once you’ve backed up registry, edit the Registry.

• Press Win + R keys
• Type regedit in the run dialog box and press Enter
• Click Edit | Find and then type Skype in the box and click Find Next
• Right-click the search results and select Delete

Now go to the official website of Skype. Download the latest version for your Windows computer.

Once you have installed Skype afresh, it’s to get your Skype history.

• Quit Skype
• Press Win + R keys
• In the run dialog box, type %appdata%\skype in the Run dialog box and then press Enter
• Place “Your Skype Name” folder and the My Skype Received Files folder here

Solution 8 – Configure Connection Settings for Skype

In case you’re using a proxy server, you can get rid of this error by configuring the Skype connection.

Here’s what you need to do.

• Open Skype and then click Tools | Options | Advanced | Connection
• Here you need to specify the precise proxy option. Feed in its Host as well as Port details. Enter user proxy username along with the password
• Select Enable proxy authentication
• Click Save
• Exit Skype (use Task Manager to ensure the app is not running in the background)
• Finally restart Skype