HDMI Problems with Skype [ Edited ]

[JimWAndrews]

I have recently and suddenly started having problems with Skype on my laptop when it is plugged in to the HDMI monitor on my desk.  Since I work from home and rely on Skype, this is a MAJOR issue for me and I am desperate for a solution.  I hope that someone can help.

Until a week ago I was having no problems at all (using Skype v5.5).  Last week I took a Skype call and everything worked fine.  Two minutes later I took another call, and the "Answer call" button in Skype would not work - the call just kept on ringing.  I had made no changes to my PC between these calls.

I rebooted my PC, and Skype refused to connect.  I tried this several times over, and then searched around on this forum for advice.

I have subsequently removed / installed Skype several times, I have used the %appdata% trick to rename the Skype directory, and gone back to an old system restore point.

I am now using Skype v5.7 (because v5.5 started causing the infamous Flash Player problems in internet browsers).

This is the current state of play:-

1.  If I boot up my laptop with no HDMI monitor plugged in, but all other peripherals attached (including external webcam & microphone), then Skype will boot up properly.  I can call people, and all functions work correctly.  Both my internal microphone and the webcam microphone work properly.

2.  If I boot up my laptop whilst connected to the HDMI monitor, then Skype will not connect.  The "audio settings" indicate that there is no sound input from either the internal microphone or webcam.  Also:-

• Windows Media Player stops working completely.
• Sound output from other sources (system sounds, websites etc) won't work.

3.  If I boot up my laptop (as per item 1), and then plug in my HDMI monitor then:-

• Skype stays logged in and I can still "see" my contacts.  
• If I dial up the call testing service, I can see that the service is ringing but I hear no sound and cannot ring off / terminate the call (either on the window or right-clicking the Skype icon).
• My internal and webcam microphone provide no input.  
• Skype won't quit properly (I have to use Task Manager).
• Windows Media Player stops working completely.
• Sound output from other sources won't work.

It therefore seems to me that the problem is somehow or other connected with Skype using HDMI output.

My system details are:-

Thinkpad E320, Intel i5 processor.  Intel HD graphics.

Windows 7 Professional 64

Samsung SyncMaster P2450 monitor.

I have checked all drivers for updates since this problem arose.

I should stress that the problems arose out of the blue in mid-session.  One minute everything was fine, and the next minute Skype would not respond.  There had been no hardware or software changes between these instances.

Right now I have uninstalled Skype (again) while I get on with some work and wait for some helpful soul to come up with a solution!

I hope that someone out there can help.

Regards

Jim Andrews

[JimWAndrews · Accepted solution]

I realise that it is probably really bad form to post a solution to your own problem, but here goes......

I now have Skype (v5.7) working with HDMI, and here is how I did it.

1.  Uninstall Skype.

2.  Reboot PC (while attached to HDMI device)

3.  Go to Control Panel > Hardware & Sound > Sound > Playback Devices

4.  Select your HDMI speakers.

5.  Click on the Properties > Advanced

6.  Uncheck the box to "Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device"

Now reinstall Skype.  Hey presto, it works.  All other sounds work too.  Brilliant.

NB on my PC, if Skype is running I cannot access any of the "Sound" options in Control Panel.  Apologies if I have mis-remembered some of these instructions, but you'll get the general idea.

[JimWAndrews]

OH NO!!!!!!

I spoke too soon.  Yesterday my PC worked perfectly, having applied the "fixes" above.  I could shut down & restart and everythign worked just fine.

This morning I booted up, and all the old problems had returned:-

No access to Event Notification Service

No access to sound card

No Windows Aero

Skype would not function properly

I unplugged by HDMI monitor, and restarted....and all of the problems were STILL there.  After numerous re-boots I have now gone back to a System restore point from 2 days ago, and uninstalled Skype.

Right now, however, for some reason I cannot access any of my system sound playback options, so I can't check to see if my "fix" has become "unfixed" overnight.

The long and short of this seems to be that:-

PC with no Skype = fine

PC + Skype 5.5 / 5.7 = broken

After years and years using Skype I just cannot believe that this is happening.

SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!

[Poorman]

It sounds like your HDMI monitor is reporting to your PC that it has audio capabilities.  Skype typically switches to using any new audio device(s) automatically, which would mean it would no longer use whatever speakers/headset and microphone you normally use.

You can change this behavior in the Skype options:

• Tools -> Options
• Select "General" on the left
• Select "Audio settings"
• Click the "Show advanced options" button (lower-right)
• Select the microphone you want to use from the list and click "Move up" until it's at the top.
• Select the speakers/headset you want to use and click "Move up" until it's at the top.
• Click the "Save" button.

I hope this helps.

-- Pete

[Syed-umar-ahmed]

Do nothing
Go to skypee > Tools > Options
Goto audio settings tab and from speakers option select your HDMI device thats is all u wants to do