What to do if Skype won't start

23.10.2023

Many Internet users use Skype for work. But very often you can encounter situations when Skype does not start or a white field pops up. Many people attribute this to the Skype “bug”. Our article will tell you how to get out of this situation.

Let's say right away that Skype is completely connected to the Internet Explorer browser. That is, it must be installed on your computer. In this case, Internet Explorer settings must be set as required. If Skype does not start for you, then refer to the methods for solving the problem, which will be described below.

First way

If this action does not help, then move on to the second method.

Second way

With this action you will be able to log into Skype. But this is a temporary solution - only for authorization.

Third way

Exit the program completely (read how to do this above).
Open " My computer», drive C, « Program Files", folder Skype and go to the folder " Phone».
Click on Skype and then right click: Send to – desktop (create shortcut). A second shortcut will be created on the desktop.
Click on the created shortcut, and then right-click on " Properties" In the window that appears, in the line “ C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe", enter the following command separated by a space /legacylogin. After that, click on the button below “ Apply».
Now you can log into Skype by launching the program through the newly created shortcut. Skype will launch in the old window (version of Skype), without requiring Internet Explorer settings.

If the above methods did not help, then download the Skype program from the official website of the program and install it again.

Telephony in the modern world is one of the most important technologies, and the situation when Skype won't open can confuse many users. There can be several reasons for an application to fail - from the program itself to a problem in the operating system. In any case, it is always possible to restore its correct operation.

Skype does not open on the computer due to a variety of reasons - from easy-to-solve problems to problems that require reinstalling the system. The article does not imply that there are communication problems in the program, only an error at startup, lack of response when clicking on a shortcut, or startup with an empty window.

Common causes of Skype crashes:

a failure occurred due to user settings;
the disruption occurred due to a glitch in Internet Explorer, which is responsible for displaying many program elements;
problem in system settings;
driver or program conflict;
the presence of a failure after updating a program or Windows.

Before any manipulations, it is worth checking, probably the problem is observed among many users and there are malfunctions on the server. If this is the true reason, it is enough to wait for the program to be restored; the developers are responsible for this.

Skype settings crash

Skype won't open, what should I do first? – It is worth checking the serviceability of the program in the settings area. Sometimes user data creates errors and prevents quality use.

To fix the problem, you need to perform a simple manipulation:

Most often, even an inactive program has a working process; to close it, you should press Ctrl + Alt + Del and go to the “Processes” section. Here it is worth closing the process from the Skype manufacturer.
Now you should press Win + R and enter the text %appdata%\skype and Enter into the line - this command will transfer to the section with user data.
A folder will open in a new window in which you need to locate the shared.xml file and delete it.

By deleting the configuration file, a reset should occur and there is a high probability of restoring the program. If the method does not lead to the expected result, you can use another algorithm, in which the first step is similar, and then follows:

Win + R paste %appdata% into the line, then press Enter.
In the catalog, find the “Skype” and RMB section.
Select the “Rename” option and add any number to the end of the name.

The disadvantage of the manipulation is deleting conversations and chats; the program should start as new, although the contacts are stored on the server and, accordingly, will be saved.

Reset system and Skype settings

Special programs have been developed that detect and eliminate all temporary and useless files. All actions can be performed manually, but there is a risk of forgetting about some section and this will take a lot of time. The best program that will help you cope with this task efficiently is CCleaner.

Let's look at the algorithm of actions using CCleaner:

Download the application - https://ccleaner.org.ua/download/.
On the first “Cleaner” tab, you need to launch the scanning algorithm using the “Analyze” button, having previously selected the applications that need to be checked.
After the analysis, you need to click on the “Run Cleaner” button.

A window with a suggestion will appear (it is advisable to do this).
Then go to the “Registry” section and run registry analysis.

After the search, the number of errors found will be shown and you will be able to start troubleshooting.

Performing this manipulation will in some cases allow you to restore Skype and speed up the performance of the entire Windows system.

Complete reinstallation of the program

Often, to restore the launch of Skype, reinstalling the program is used. An important condition for effectiveness is the complete removal of the previous version, otherwise the method may be useless. There are special programs for this, for example, iObit Uninstaller.

Complete removal of Skype:

Download the program https://ru.iobit.com/advanceduninstaller/ and then install;
In the main application window, find Skype and click on the delete button;

After standard uninstallation, you will be asked to delete traces of the application on your PC in all storage areas; you must agree and create a restore point.

After the procedure, you will need to download the new version of Skype and install it.

Problem in Internet Explorer

A similar problem has existed for a long time, back to the release of version 5.5, when Skype was tied to IE. When you enter the program, authorization occurs, which activates ActiveX and some JavaScript frameworks located in IE. If browser settings are changed due to manipulation by the user or other programs, Skype may stop working. This error is characterized by difficulties in adding new contacts.

For most popular systems before Windows 8, a special fix can be used, which was made by the developer themselves. For some users, just updating the browser is enough.

Resetting settings in IE helps in many cases, for this you should:

Close all IE windows and other tabs in Explorer.
Relaunch IE browser.
Using the “Service” section, go to the “Properties” item. You can open a window with a section by clicking on the gear.
Next, go to the “Advanced” section and click on “Reset”.
It is important to put a highlight next to the “Delete personal data” item: visited pages, cookies, hash, etc.

In the new window, you should confirm the action by clicking on the “Reset” button.
After completing the manipulation, you should close the program.

When the steps are completed, it is worth checking that Skype is working properly; the program should work again.

If you still have questions on the topic “What to do if Skype does not open?”, you can ask them in the comments

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Skype is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. Thanks to the application, you can make video and audio calls around the world for free. However, like any other program, Skype sometimes experiences errors. For example, some users complain that Skype does not start. There are a lot of reasons why the problem appeared, as well as solutions.

First, you should try reinstalling the program or updating it to the latest version. To do this, you need to go to the official website of the developers, from where you can download the installation files. For stable operation of the application, it is recommended to use version 5.6 or higher. All updates are posted on the Microsoft website.

Please note that if the application was not completely uninstalled, the newer version will not be installed on your PC or mobile device. In order to avoid this, you need to use special utilities that help remove not only the program itself, but also residual files stored on the system.

If after reinstallation you still receive an error when starting Skype, it is recommended to use the following instructions. Windows PC users should close the application and open the command prompt by clicking
. Enter text into the command line %appdata%\skype, then press Enter.
In the folder that opens, you need to find the shared.xml file and delete it. Next, you need to launch Skype to check its functionality. The deleted file will be downloaded again and saved automatically.

If shared.xml is not displayed in the list, then enter control folders in the command line and click OK. In the list of options that opens, you need to set a setting that suggests showing all hidden files and folders on the device. After these steps, you need to click OK.

The experience will be slightly different for users using Mac operating system devices.

Quit the messenger.
Open the Library folder.
Go to the Application Support section.
Click on the Skype folder.
Find and delete the shared.xml file.

The next time you start the program, the file will appear in the list again, but if the problem is resolved, then no further action will be required.

Another reason why Skype won't start may be due to Internet Explorer settings. The work of the latest versions of the program is directly related to the web browser, as it requires the execution of Active X tasks and the use of other standard Microsoft tools. But the browser settings are not always configured as required to work with the messenger. Therefore, Windows users are advised to set the settings according to the requirements of the application or return them to the default settings. These actions will cause Skype to open in the window of the old version, which did not require Internet Explorer tools, including access to JavaScript. But you should remember that this is only a temporary solution to using the messenger.

First, I’ll tell you about the easiest way to launch Skype. This is just for those who don’t have the time (or desire) to figure it out.

The fact is that the program also has an Internet version. This is the same Skype, and official (from the developer), but only through a browser. It turns out that you can open all your contacts through Google Chrome or Opera. Well, or through any other program in which you open sites.

We print our username and password, that is, our login information to the program. Perhaps the site will ask you to provide access to the Desktop or something else. We allow it and get full-fledged Skype.

Here you can correspond, call, send video messages. All this will happen through your account - just like through a regular program. Those with whom you communicate will not feel any difference - for them everything will be exactly the same.

How to solve the problem with launching Skype

I just showed you how to log into Skype if it doesn’t open on your computer. In principle, we could have stopped there, but personally, I still find it more convenient to use the regular version. Logging in through the browser is more suitable for temporary use - when you urgently need to open the program, and there is no time to figure out what's what.

And reviving Skype is not that difficult. Usually it's enough just to delete one file and everything will work.

1. First, exit the program completely. To do this, you need to find the small Skype icon at the bottom of the computer screen, on the right side (where the clock is). Sometimes he hides under a small arrow.

Right-click on it and select “Exit Skype.”

If you don't have this little icon anywhere on the right side, move on to the next step.

A small window with a question may appear. Then you will need to click on “Exit”.

2. Press the Windows keyboard key () and, without releasing it, press the key with the letter R. A window like this will open.

3. Copy/paste the following text %appdata%\skype into it and click OK.

A window will open with different folders, among which there will be a shared.xml file

You need to delete it (right-click on the file - Delete - OK), then close this window and try to open the program itself. Usually the problem is solved - Skype starts and everything works.

If it doesn't help

Follow steps 1 and 2 from the previous instructions. Paste %programfiles(x86)%/skype/phone/ into the window and click OK.

If an error message appears, then paste %programfiles%/skype/phone/ instead and click OK.

Right-click on the skype.exe file and select Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).

Close the window and find the created program shortcut on the Desktop. Right-click on it and select “Properties”.

In the Target field on the Shortcut tab, add a space at the end of the line and the text /legacylogin and click OK.

Now the Skype program can be opened on a computer, but only through this shortcut.

Hello, dear Skype users. We welcome new and regular visitors to our educational computer portal. You can often come across one common question on forums and social networks. Many users ask why Skype doesn't work? And what to do if Skype stopped working? The main thing is not to panic. Probably many of you know that the extremely popular Skype program has long overtaken the equally well-known service in terms of the number of users in the world. ICQ.

And how can you not overtake, if in addition to online chat, Skype can be used as a telephone and even a videophone. Unfortunately, after the sale of Skype to the company Microsoft, the program has become partially paid (calls to landlines and mobile phones). But the glitches and problems haven’t decreased much.

However, any program can refuse to work, the main thing is to find out the reason and fix the software problem. Of course, Skype is no exception - everything can be solved here too. If your version of Skype does not work, then do not despair. You are on the right track. This instruction is intended for untrained users and we will try to explain everything in an accessible and understandable language. In our article we will look at the most common and well-known cases of program failures and identify the most common bugs in Skype.

Why Skype doesn't work

Since all software problems are different from each other, it is worth dividing the reasons why Skype does not work into several types. And you yourself will understand what exactly happened to the program. We would like to note that we will not consider problems when the camera or microphone does not work in Skype. Since these two problems require program settings and we would rather write separate articles for them. Here we will talk about software failures. So, first, let's divide the problem into several subtypes:

Skype won't launch at all.
Skype starts, but a blank window appears.
Skype works, but then crashes with an error or

The first two cases are related and most likely your Internet Explorer browser has crashed. The third case stands out, since there may be several reasons for program failures. First, let's look at solving the problem when Skype won't start.

If Skype stops working after updating

Sometimes cleaning the program's service folder helps. This is done as follows.

We leave Skype.
Open the “Run” command (press the Win+R buttons or find the command line through the “Start” menu).
Next, copy and paste the following text into the command line: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Skype\Apps\ or %APPDATA%\Skype(depending on version).
Press Enter. A folder will open in which you need to find the folder with your Skype login (with your Skype username), from which you need to delete everything. Better yet, move the folder to another location.
Let's launch Skype again.

If you can't log into Skype

This problem appeared after the corporation began developing the program. Microsoft. Starting with version Skype 5.5, the developers introduced the program's binding to the Internet Explorer (IE) browser and the Windows Scripting Engine programming language. The thing is that upon authorization, Skype requires the execution of the ActiveX framework and access to JavaScript scripts that are located in Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, the settings of this browser can be changed, either by the users themselves or, for example, by viruses. An authorization problem appears and Skype does not work when some browser settings are changed. In addition, contacts may not be added to Skype. What to do in this situation?

If Skype does not work on XP or Vista Seven, then for starters, users Windows XP, Windows Vista And Windows 7, we recommend downloading a special fix from Microsoft, which is located on this page - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949140. Unfortunately, this add-on is not suitable for Windows 8, but we have other solutions that we will talk about now. If this patch does not help, you can try updating the Internet Explorer browser or simply uninstalling IE by downloading the latest version from here. If you don’t want to delete or update, just try resetting your browser settings. To reset Internet Explorer settings, do it as follows:

Close any Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer windows that are currently open.
Open Internet Explorer again.
Click the Tools button (the button looks like a gear, located in the upper left corner of the browser), and then select Internet options.
Go to the Advanced tab and then click the Reset button.
Check the box next to “Remove personal settings” (browsing history, provider search, home pages, tracking protection, and ActiveX Filtering data will be deleted after restarting the computer).
In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click the Reset button.
When Internet Explorer has finished applying the new settings, click the Close button, and then click OK.
Close IE. The changes will take effect the next time you open Internet Explorer.

If after these manipulations Skype still does not work and refuses to start. Or it doesn’t save contacts, then you can do the following trick, which, unfortunately, can be called a crutch, a temporary solution. However, it works and has helped many people get Skype working.

Exit Skype (to do this, you just need to find the Skype icon in the tray, right-click on it and select the “Exit” menu item). Next, open the device manager (key combination CTRL+ALT+DEL) and make sure that the skype.exe process is not in the list of running processes. If it's still hanging there, close it.
Open the “Program Files” folder. In Windows, this folder is usually located on the C drive. If you have a 64-bit version of the system, the folder will be called “Program Files (x86)”. For those who are interested, .
In the “Program Files” folder we find the “Skype” folder, go into it and open another “Phone” folder.
Right-click on the executable file skype.exe and select the “Send” menu item, and then select “Desktop (create shortcut)” from the drop-down menu.

After this, you need to find the created Skype shortcut on your desktop and right-click on it again. Select and go to “Properties”.
In the window that opens, you need to find the “Shortcut” tab.
The “Object” field will contain the path to the Skype executable file. At the very end of this path you need to add the parameter after the space “/legacylogin”.
Ultimately, you should get the following: "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /legacylogin- (including quotes). Or the following if you have a 64-bit system: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /legacylogin
Next, simply save the shortcut with the “OK” button and launch Skype.

Many people are probably wondering what the /legacylogin parameter does. It's simple, it launches Skype without using Internet Explorer browser components. At the same time, Skype works with the old authorization window. Now let's consider the option when Skype does not work at all, that is, the program authorization window does not even appear.

If Skype refuses to work

Quite often, the Skype program crashes on its own with the message “Skype has stopped working.” It seems to work stably, but periodically closes. You have to open Skype again, which of course is annoying. What can be advised in such situations? Well, first of all, try reinstalling the program by downloading the latest version of the distribution from the developers' website. It won’t take much time, and it may help solve the problem. The main thing is not to download the distribution kit from third-party sites; the version there may not be up to date, and you might inadvertently catch a virus.

But the opposite situation also happens when Skype does not work after the update. This may be due to an unstable version released by the developers. In this case, you need to find an older, or better yet, a previous version of Skype, remove the newly installed one and install a stable program. Skype may be affected by a virus. We recommend. On our page you will find several effective antivirus programs.

If the program was working, and then Skype stopped working (Skype does not open at all), then restoring the system to a specific restore point may help. To use standard Windows recovery, you need to open the “Start” menu, open the “Accessories” folder, select the “System” subdirectory and launch “System Restore”. After startup, you will be offered a restore point to which you can return the system (remember that all changes made to the system after this point, including installed programs, will be lost).

Unfortunately, neither reinstalling Skype to a newer version, nor checking for viruses, nor restoring the system can help if a Windows blue screen appears after starting the program or while it is running. This usually indicates incompatibility of computer or laptop components (microphone, camera) with Skype software. In this case, try reinstalling the drivers for the camera and microphone.

Another common problem is that video on Skype does not work. Often the same drivers are to blame. They are needed. The same thing happens if the sound in Skype does not work. This could also be related to the audio card drivers. Reinstall the driver on the audio card and then reinstall Skype itself. May be needed.

If Skype does not work on Android (on an Android tablet or phone), then you need to delete the application, restart the phone or tablet and install a new version from Google Play. This completes our instructions. We hope it helped. If the problem persists and Skype is still not working. Ask a question in the comments, describing your specific problem, and we will try to solve it together.

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