Skype could not connect - what to do?

If you receive the error message "Skype could not establish a connection" during video telephony or chat via Skype, this can have various causes. We'll show you how to solve the problem.

Causes of Skype connection problems

First test whether you are connected to the Internet at all. To do this, open any website or try to send messages with another chat or messenger program. If the problem is not generally with your internet connection, follow these steps:

• Check that you have the latest version of Skype installed. Skype always wants to be kept up to date, otherwise you may only be able to use the VoIP service to a limited extent or not at all.
• Your firewall settings can also block the Skype connection.

How to fix Skype video calling and chat issues

If the cause is your internet connection, make sure that the connection is established.

• If your Skype version is not up to date, carry out a Skype update.
• Enable Skype in the firewall configuration. This is the only way the video telephony service can communicate with the Microsoft servers. Another practical tip will tell you how to set up the release of the firewall configuration.

If you still have an existing Windows Messenger profile, we will show you how to merge Windows Messenger and Skype.