These days, people all over the world use Skype video chats to connect face-to-face for work meetings, catch-ups, and even language tutoring sessions. Most of the time, Skype Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are the best way to quickly hop on a video call with virtually anyone, regardless of their location.
Without an adequate Skype connection, however, your online conversations can turn into a frustrating experience full of glitches and delays. If you’ve used Skype in the past, you may remember a time when audio would often cut in and out. But as the average internet speed and web application server technology continue to advance, setting up VoIP servers in different locations around the world, these problems are not as prominent as they used to be. So, what can you do if you still experience Skype slowness on your Mac?
Why do Skype slow connections occur?
Although VoIP technology has greatly advanced over the years, along with the ability to have high-quality Skype calls, some users may still have issues with a lagging Skype connection. It could be, for example, that they are located in parts of the world where the internet is unstable or slow. But fear not, there are a few tricks you can use to get your Skype slow connection flying again.
Check web application’s server status
If you are having trouble with your Skype calls, it’s entirely possible that they originate directly from Skype servers. In some situations, the VoIP operator can’t fix the slow Skype connection in a short period of time because of bad gateways, hardware malfunction, software failures, or possible DDoS attacks. You can check for Skype server status, but if you see a problem, there is, unfortunately, nothing on your end you can do other than continue to monitor the updates.
Test your connection speed
Weak signals or lines from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or even plain throttling can also be the root cause of the issue. Test the internet speed first to make sure the problem is coming from your ISP. Then contact the ISP to see what they can do about it. The problem might be temporary and easy to fix or long-standing, in which case you might look into switching to a different ISP altogether.
Inspect your Mac
In some cases, Skype slow typing and calling experience can be attributed to problems with your own computer. Even if you have a high-speed internet connection and the latest hardware driver updates installed, things like corrupted or wrong network settings and application processes can be the culprit behind a slow Skype performance. Other issues that could influence whether your Skype calls will be less than ideal include:
- DNS settings
- Corrupted registry settings
- Viruses
- Worms
- Spyware
- Adware
- Trojans
- Rootkits
To check your Mac for any malware threats, use a dedicated app like CleanMyMac X. It can easily identify and neutralize viruses, adware, spyware, worms, and other types of threats.
Quit unnecessary apps
If you’re running Google Chrome with dozens of open tabs, which include such heavy hitters as YouTube and video games, or if someone else in your office or household is overburdened with these bandwidth-consuming tasks, you may find that the quality of your Skype calls suffers as a result. The solution here is to quit all the apps you don’t work with at the moment and close all the browser tabs that can be bookmarked for later. Your Skype will thank you for it.
Move to a stationary background
While not obvious, when you sit close to a continuously changing background, such as a sports game on TV or a busy cafe, Skype needs to do more work to transmit your audio and video, which makes it more likely that your connection will cut in and out. Ideally, you’d want to relocate to a place where your camera faces a solid wall or any other static background.
Analyze your Mac’s internal systems
Before diving into software, it’s always a good idea to make sure your hardware, such as cables and router, is working properly. Try all the connections and restart the router if needed.
When it comes to software, nowadays, you don’t even need to pay a visit to your local computer shop anymore — the easiest way to check your Mac for malware and do all the necessary configuration is through CleanMyMac X.
CleanMyMac X is an effective and intuitive optimization app for your Mac, which offers a quick way to fine-tune your whole Mac with just one simple click. You can use it to free up space, uninstall forgotten or unwanted apps, and rid your computer of software that may be causing Skype lags. Here’s how:
- Download CleanMyMac X for free and open it.
- In the Smart Scan tab, click Scan at the bottom to quickly find what’s wrong with your Mac overall.
- Review Details and delete anything that’s unnecessary.
- Repeat the process with tabs for Optimization and Maintenance.
Using CleanMyMac X takes mere seconds, and the app notifies you exactly about which processes it wants to fix to speed up your Mac and which files are safe to delete to get more space.
Skype slowness can be a frustrating experience when you constantly rely on it to speak with your loved ones on the other side of the world or if you need to conduct remote interviews. But now you know how you can optimize your Mac to get the best Skype performance! Just remember to check your computer for corrupted files or use CleanMyMac X on a regular basis to keep your computer running in top shape.
