Video freezes during call

[kimincolo]

help. Same issue. How about an answer.
Is a highdefinition camera not supposed to work on Skype?

[moonshiner]

Hi,

I am having this same problem.  I have the same webcam as the original poster: a USB 2.0 UVC VGA. And after reading a * whole *  bunch * of * similar * threads, I've noticed that all the folks with problems either mention they updated to the new version of Skype or the problems just started a few/couple weeks ago (i.e. when the new Skype was rolled out).  Hmmm.

I can continue to see the person I'm talking to, but my video feed freezes after 1-5 minutes.  It never resumes.  I have to log out, quit Skype, and log back in.  Sometimes that works, but sometimes I've got to restart the computer before logging back in... Only to get 5 measly minutes of video and the same problem all over again.

The funny thing is, as long as I don't make a call- like, I just stay logged into Skype- my webcam continues to work. Everytime I go to tools-> options-> video settings, lo and behold, there's my webcam feed!  But as soon as I make a video call- poof- it's gone and there is no video feed in video settings.  Just a frozen screenshot or a black screen with an infernally spinning white circle.

I've only made video calls for this past month; prior to that, I hadn't used my webcam, ever.  The first two weeks that I used it, everything worked perfectly, no problems.  After that, it's terrible. My webcam is on- the little green light next to it is lit.  My connection speed is fast (I don't know how fast, but when I check Skype call quality, it always says speed is fast). Everything's working great, except: Not sending video. 

I've downloaded Direct X.  I've tried to update my drivers but am told I've already got the latest driver software. I've cleared my cache, defragmented discs, freed up space, ran anything I could find to speed up/clean off the computer.  Every time I check my computer's properties, I'm told the device is working properly. I have reset Skype's configuration files (windows key +r and type %appdata%, then rename the Skype folder).  I read in another thread that you advised someone to try cycling their video off for a few seconds and then back on. I'm not able to do that; I click the videocamera icon to turn video off, and then I am never able to turn it back on. (Unless you meant to turn it off/on via a different route?)

I've got an Asus notebook.

Running Windows 7, service pack 1.  2.2 GHz processor.  4 GB RAM. 64-bit OS.

Running the latest version of Skype--5.8.0.158. 

Connecting via WiFi. Speedtest.net results: ping 56ms, download speed 3.68Mbps, upload speed 3.43 Mbps.

Tell me what I'm doing wrong. Tell me what else I can do. I'm 600 miles away from my 2-year-old twin niece and nephew, and every time I try to video call them, I wind up in tears because it just won't work right.

[g4pilut]

I can only think of two things I would try at this point, were I in you situation.

First...I'd check with the Asus website and make sure I had the latest driver for my webcam:  http://www.asus-drivers.com/resources.html

If that didn't help, I'd buy an external webcam and give it a try, probably a Logitech.  I'd buy one from someplace that would let me return it if it didn't solve the problem.

I know, you shouldn't have to do that.  But to me, if it meant being able to have successful video calls with my family, it would be worth another $50-60 or so.

Sorry I don't have a better solution to offer.

[moonshiner]

Thanks for your help.  I really appreciate the feedback from someone who actually understands this stuff.

Note: That website you linked to isn't Asus's; it's a third-party website.  I went to the Asus website here and found the driver (Azurewave AM-VB008 Camera Driver for VISTA 64 Win7 64 bit) that is listed for my particular webcam. 

The version (v0011.0024.2009.1029) that is listed is the one that I see when I dig around  on my computer (I went to Devices and Printers-> Owner-PC-> Hardware-> and clicked on the webcam).  So it looks to me like I've already got the most current version of the driver.  Which is what my computer keeps telling me already.

Again, my webcam is working perfectly fine, just not with Skype. It's nothing here on my end.  This is all you guys.  I went to sign in about 2 or 3 weeks ago, was told there was an update available, ignored it for a while, and then finally got around to doing the update.  Ever since the update, I've had this video feed freeze issue.

Could it be that the other party is running an older version and it is simply not compatible with the new one I have?

Can you tell me what was the current version on 2/27/2012?  That, according to my computer, is the date on which I did an upgrade which did not affect anything.  The next upgrade, to 5.8.0.158, was sometime in the middle of March.  From then on, nothing has worked right. I'd like to uninstall the 158 and reinstall the most recent previous version, and see if it starts working again. Do you guys have the list of previous versions available for download?

I may have to bite the bullet and... ask... the Geek Squad.  Sigh.

[g4pilut]

There was a hotfix released on 2/21/12, 5.8.0.156.  I'd be surprised if that would make any difference but then, you never know....

You can browse this blog site for the last few versions:

http://blogs.skype.com/garage/windows/

Or, if you want older versions than that:  http://www.oldapps.com/skype.php

If you're going to try uinstalling and reinstalling I suggest you do a "complete" uninstall.  How-to here:  https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10634/How-can-I-completely-uninstall-and-then-reinstall-Skype

Good luck.  I'd be mildly surprised if the Geek Squad can solve your problem but any port in a storm.  If it comes to that and they succeed, please let us know what the fix was which may help others in the future. 

By the way, keep in mind when you say "this is all you guys" that the you guys here are not Skype staffers.  This is a user-to-user forum and us guys are just other users like you. 

[herndon]

I've been having the same problem.  Updating the drivers on my external logitech camera did not help, so I bouht a new one.  The same problem continued.  I installed the latest version of skype, but am still having no luck.  Does anyone know if there's a way to install an older version of skype?

[theo1993]

hello, i would like to know if u have tried with older versions, did u fix it? i have the same problem for 1 week, and i cant get a solution, thnx to help

[theo1993]

Hello, i would like to know if u have find a solution, cause i have the same problem with my asus laptop and the skype video wich freezes. Thankyou for answering me

[duceduc]

I have the exact same issue with the op. I live in Japan and have upgraded my pc to an Intel Core i7 with lots of storage space in my hard drive. My internet connection is fiber optic cable with a download of 50mb and upload of 20mb. I think that is more than efficient.

My webcam is a logitech C910 that is suppose to work with skype. All drivers are updated as well as my os (win7).

My users says my video freezes but audio is fine. Reconnecting doesn't seem to help either as they see an endless spinning circle. I am able to hear and see their video fine. Also, I noticed once I am connected, I get this message all the time saying my connection is too slow. 

It is very frustrating as I cannot video chat with my family back in the usa and they cannot see their grandson.

[ruwim]

The problem might also be on the other side of the connection. Next time you are on a call, go to View -> Call Technical Info. Watch the information displayed. Pay especial attention to Upload/Download speed as well as the UDP status. If you want, you can copy the displayed information and paste it here for further inspection.