Improve Skype Software’s Performance

Here are some procedures that may help significantly improve Skype’s overall performance.   Finding ways to make Skype to run properly or at its best could help avoid problems or issues with its features, especially crashing during a call or a video call.

1.  Install the latest version of Skype – most of the known and common issues, problems, and bugs are often resolved when Skype release a new version of their software.   There are also often improvements on certain features or functions incorporated in the new version that they release.

2.  Download and install available updates for your operating system.

3.  Also update your webcam, display, audio, microphone drivers (whichever are available).  You can visit the manufacturer's site to check if there are new versions of drivers for the said devices.

4.  Close other unnecessary windows and programs while using Skype.  The total workload of your computer may also affect the speed and performance of the Skype program.  You can also close programs that can be seen on your system tray.  Most of the times, running multiple programs while using Skype causes it to crash.

5.  Update your anti-virus and/or firewall – there are certain security programs that interrupt or restrict Skype to reach it maximum potentials.   An updated anti-virus and/or firewall may lessen such possibilities.  You can also contact your security program’s manufacturer to inquire if there are procedures to configure their software to run seamlessly with Skype.

6.  Update and “Clean” Internet Explorer – regardless of the web browser you set as default or prefer to use.  Some of the Skype functions use Internet Explorer engines.  So it is advisable to update your IE and clean it regularly (delete browsing history, temp files, clear cache, etc).  If possible, delete or uninstall unused or bad add-ons or plugins.

7.  Run computer maintenance – this will boost not only Skype’s performance, but of other programs in your computer as well.  Some of the suggested operations are disk defrag, disk clean up, registry cleaning, deleting old files and unused programs.

8.  Limit the number of third party software that interact with Skype – such as spell checkers, language translators, chat loggers, call recorders, etc.  Just retain the important and commonly used programs and add-ons.  Whenever possible, only run or link such third party programs or add-ons when you need to them (some of them may set themselves to run when Skype is opened).  Having multiple brands of a certain Skype related programs may also cause unwanted effect with Skype’s performance.

9.  If you have the resources, and if Skype is very important to you, you can also consider “upgrading” your computer hardware.  The recent Skype versions require more computer memory as compared to earlier versions.  So if your machine is not fast enough, you may experience problems when having long calls and multi-party conversations.

10.  Connect to a fast and stable internet connection, a "wired" type connection if available (rather than wireless connections).  This will decrease the chances of disconnections and call quality issues especially if you are expecting a very important call, or will be engaged in multi-party conversation (especially in group video calls).

However, if you have an older to slower computer or laptop, the first suggestion to use the most updated version could not be ideal in some cases.   As previously mentioned, the new Skype version needs more computer memory.  So in contrary, people who have slower or older computers can try installing an earlier version of Skype, preferably the last version that worked well in their computer.