Why can't I connect to Skype? How to solve Skype connection problem

“Unfortunately, we were unable to connect to Skype” - such a message can confuse an inexperienced user. About how to decide this problem, where to start and what to pay attention to, we will talk in this article.

The error "Sorry, we couldn't connect to Skype" usually appears for the following reasons:

  1. No Internet connection;
  2. The application is blocked by an antivirus;
  3. Outdated version of the messenger;
  4. Something's wrong with Internet Explorer.

Failed to connect to Skype: what to do?

If you see such a window, it means that first you need to figure out what happened, and most importantly, stop panicking. We will calmly check everything in order.

1. Diagnostics of network connection.

After thoroughly checking all the wires and contacts, see what's wrong with the connection settings. Go through the Control Panel to the “Network and Sharing Center...”.
If you have any difficulties, just call your provider and check whether there is a signal or not.

We talk about a similar failure in the material “” and help you find a way out.

2. Blocking by antivirus software.

Try turning off this security program, at least for the duration of authorization in the application. It often happens that it comes into conflict with Skype, especially if you use little-known software. Don't forget to also find out what's wrong with the Windows firewall, because it can also disrupt the normal course of business. Take a look at its settings and check if the messenger is blocked there.

3. Why does it still say “Unable to connect to Skype” if there are no problems with the Internet? You should update your messenger version. It's not difficult, and in the end you'll get a more advanced version of the program for pleasant communication on the Internet. If so, read our article with recommendations on this topic.

4. Internet Explorer is buggy.

What does this have to do with it? It so happens that the parameters of these programs are interdependent. In addition to the fact that it is advisable to update your browser to more new version, you also need to disable the option to work offline in its settings. Path: File – Offline mode.

These are the main reasons why anyone might get the Skype error “Unable to connect to the Internet”. We hope that our solutions to it will be useful and effective for you.

does not connect, what to do, will be relevant, it seems always. Indeed, despite the fact that the Skype program as a whole is very good, it, like all other applications, cannot avoid failures and problems in operation.

What to do if Skype does not connect

Generally speaking, there can be a lot of reasons for this. And, as they say, “behind the scenes” it is very difficult to advise anything definite in this case. This is about the same as answering the question: My computer is broken. What should I do?..

However, it is possible to describe the most typical problems when connecting and methods for solving them:

  • Problems with Internet connection. Perhaps this is precisely the reason for job refusal in the vast majority of cases. Skype assumes that you can start working only if you have a reliable connection to the Internet. So, first of all, you should check the availability of an Internet connection on your device;
  • Often the cause of failure is problems with sound or video drivers. Therefore, it is necessary to update them to the most current version;
  • Oddly enough, but sometimes the user forgets his password or login and cannot log in account. In this situation, you can resort to password recovery tools. The corresponding link appears in the window when connecting Skype to the Network;
  • Often users themselves knock down software settings Skype. For example, when working with multiple webcams, people forget to switch between video and audio devices. You need to check which device is “responsible” for the image and sound. This is done in the Menu: Tools – Settings – Sound Settings or Video Settings;
  • Sometimes Skype's network functions are blocked by antiviruses or firewalls. Of course, you shouldn't disable them. You need to add Skype to the list of allowed or trusted programs;
  • Skype may refuse to work even if it needs to be updated. You can check for updates directly from the program itself: Help – Check for updates;
  • You can try rolling back the system to the nearest 100% working restore point.

You can also suggest reinstalling Skype completely. This implies prior complete removal With hard drive everything related to Skype. You can, of course, manually clean the system of unnecessary files and then clean the registry. But it’s faster and safer to do this using third-party utilities. For example, the free Ccleaner copes with this very well. After this you will need to download the most latest version Skype and install it.

If the Internet Explorer browser is running on your computer, you can do the following. In its properties go to the tab "Additionally" and check the box next to "TSL 1.0". This worked for some users.

It wouldn’t be superfluous to check if the network settings programs. You can get to them if you go through the following points: Tools – Settings – Advanced tab – Connection section.

In a word, if Skype does not connect, then this problem is completely solvable. How universal method You may be advised to contact customer support for help. In your letter you need to concisely, but at the same time and succinctly describe the essence of the problem, and also, if possible, attach a screenshot of the error message - if one arises. You must also provide the configuration of your PC and operating system, as well as the version of your Skype.

Since there can be several reasons for the error, there is no clear advice. That's why I have listed below different methods to resolve the error:
  1. As a rule, the error most often occurs when the old one is used Skype version and accordingly, to fix it, you need to install the latest version. You can download the latest version on the page
  2. The second popular reason why this occurs is incorrect configuration Internet browser Explorer. Since this browser is an important component of the operating system Windows systems, its incorrect setting can lead to errors in different programs(as you understand, one of them is “The connection could not be established” in Skype). To fix the error you need.
  3. Often Skype cannot establish a connection to the server if the network administrator, Internet service provider or firewall restricts access to domains skype.com. To check if this is the case, run a test on and if you see that at least one server cannot establish a connection, it means that for Skype to work again, you need to remove the restriction. To do this, first try to temporarily disable the firewall and open this page again - if this still fails, contact your network administrator or Internet provider for help.
  4. Although quite rare, sometimes Skype servers stop working properly. With the help of our online service you can - if they work properly, then the error is on your side and you must fix it yourself. And if the servers are not working, you just need to wait a little until the developers fix the error.
  5. For other reasons unknown to me, the “Connection could not be established” error may also occur. I don’t know, maybe the Skype files were damaged (for example, the database, configuration file), some OS processes are not working properly, or something else - I only know that you can fix the problem by simply restarting Skype or even your computer. Sometimes deletion helps following files:
    • %appdata%\Skype\shared.lck
    • %appdata%\Skype\shared.xml

Few programs for communicating via the Internet cause as many fair reproaches and criticisms as Skype. But, although in most cases reproaches are justified, sometimes they are associated with simple inability to handle software and its settings (unfortunately, such skills are not instilled in us from school as in other countries). Here is one of the typical situations after an update: the program refuses to connect to the network, displays something about a connection error, and generally does not respond to any complex manipulations with the mouse and keyboard. What to do? How to connect to Skype? For what reasons does it end up working? Maybe you should change your Skype settings?

Reason one: incorrect Skype settings

Setting up your Skype connection to the Internet is not that difficult. Skype program, has a clear interface, at least for me personally. Therefore, when I encountered such a problem after, I had to do the following:

  1. Open Skype.
  2. Find the tools tab at the top of the window that opens and click on it.
  3. Next, select Skype - settings, and click advanced.
  4. In the window that appears, click on the connection column and set the settings as shown in the figure (so that you don’t have to think for a long time, I circled the necessary ones).

Attention! Don't forget to uncheck the "ports should be used for additional incoming connections" line. This is an extremely important setting that ensures that the video does not freeze during a conversation!

Reason two: “insolent antivirus” blocks Skype.

Designed to prevent malicious programs from entering your computer system or preventing them from interacting with files and folders. Therefore, once installed, it practically gains administrator rights on your computer. Some begin to behave so independently that anyone can install new program you have to temporarily disable antivirus software. If the settings are correct and there is still no connection between Skype and the Internet, try the following:

  • Temporarily pause your antivirus. You will need to not just close it, but actually exit the program so that it stops working.
  • If this does not help, make sure that in the installed firewall, in the settings, exceptions are set for blocking Skype. Better yet, if you already have a reliable antivirus installed, disable it completely. Moreover, even Microsoft developers believe that their firewall is clearly not one of the best. If the problem is resolved and the settings are set correctly, you can heat a cup of tea and continue chatting with friends on Skype.

Carefully! You can set the correct settings in your antivirus so that it can cooperate with Skype yourself. For users who have some computer skills, this is usually not particularly difficult. For beginners, it is better to turn to more experienced colleagues for help.

Reason three: the new owner of Skype

After Skype got a new owner, people began to complain about connection problems much more often. This is mainly due to the fact that older versions of the program cannot work with Windows 7.8 and beyond. The solution to this problem is simple, just update Skype. To do this, you may have to remove installed version and install Skype 6.16, 6.18 or 6.20. They eliminate conflicts due to the operating system and install more modern and accurate settings.

And one last thing. Make sure that you yourself have not disconnected Skype from the connection by setting the network status to “offline”. It blocks the ability to talk and receive messages, and in cases with older people (and as experience shows not only with them) this can actually happen. In the settings It is better to set Skype to “online” or “invisible”.

You can make the necessary settings on Skype yourself, the main thing is to use the attached instructions.

A fairly common problem: you try to log into Skype, but it resets the connection, although there is a connection to the Internet and, for example, the browser opens any sites. There can be many reasons why Skype does not connect to the Internet, although there is Internet. Let's look at the main ones, which in 90% of cases are the culprits of the corresponding problems.

There are users who use very old software that is no longer compatible with current protocols. To try to get the program working again, visit the Microsoft website and download the latest version of the application from there.

On the other hand, if you installed Skype relatively recently, then the program, if necessary, will prompt you to update.

Reason 2: The connection was blocked by the firewall

Another common reason why Skype does not connect to the Internet, although there is Internet, is the presence of restrictions assigned in FireWall for Skype. In this case, the connection controller simply does not release the program onto the network. If this is the reason, then you will have to give the application the appropriate permissions. For this:

  1. Go to the “Control Panel”;
  2. Select “System and Security” – “Windows Firewall”;
  3. Click on "Advanced options";
  4. In the “Rules for incoming connections” item, find Skype in the list;
  5. Double-click on it and check: whether the switch is on “Allow connection”;
  6. If not, then install it at this point;
  7. Apply the configuration.

If this was the problem, then after the appropriate actions Skype will work.

Reason 3: Port 80 is used by multiple applications

Skype may also not work due to the fact that one of the programs uses port 80. There is no need to remove or even disable the corresponding application, you just need to assign a different port in the Skype settings that it will use. It's not difficult to do:

  1. Open Skype;
  2. In the menu, select “Tools” – “Settings”;
  3. In the window that opens, select “Advanced” – “Connections”;
  4. In the “Use port” field, enter 443;
  5. Save your changes.

This is guaranteed to help in cases where, for example, a person has some kind of web server installed on his computer (for example, xampp).

Reason 4: Connectivity may be blocked by Windows

Sometimes the reason that Skype cannot connect to the Internet is that the corresponding feature is blocked in the operating system Windows.

  1. To do this, you need to look at what is contained in the Host.
  2. It can be found in the following path: “%System_drive%\Windows\System32\Drivers”.
  3. The original form should not contain anything other than the local host address: Localhost – 127.0.0.1.
  4. If there are any other addresses, try removing them after doing backup copy file.

Reason 5: Change your password

And the last common reason why Skype does not connect to the Internet, although there is a network, is a forgotten or hacked password for your Skype account. If the connection is not established precisely because of incorrect authorization details, then visit the Skype website and go through a simple password recovery procedure. To do this, go to login.skype.com and click on the link “I can’t log into Skype”, and then follow all the actions that the system asks.

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