How to Set Up Video for Skype in Windows

By Loren Abdulezer, Susan Abdulezer, and Howard Dammond from Skype For Dummies

Setting up your webcam for Skype video calls for Windows is easy when you configure sound and images with Skype’s Video Settings and Audio Settings screens.

Configuring Skype video settings

Video settings require that you have already installed a video device, either a webcam or software, such as CrazyTalk, which animates a character's mouth and mimics your lip movements as you speak.

To set up your Skype video, choose Tools→Options→General→Video Settings.

Under video settings, you will see these options

Deselect Start My Video Automatically When I Am in a Call
Select Show That I Have Video to People in My Contact List
Under the Automatically receive video and screen sharing from, choose to share with anyone, people in my Contact list only, or no one.
Under the Show that I have video to option, choose people in my Contact list or no one.

It's a good idea to make sure your webcam is properly working. The video window above the Take a Video Snapshot button at the top right of your Video Settings screen should show a live image from your webcam. If you don't see anything, make sure that your cables are all plugged in. Then click on Webcam settings and confirm that the settings are correct.

Checking your Skype sound settings

You’ll want to make sure your volume level is adequate before you make your first call. Select Tools→Options→General→Audio Settings.

There are three settings for adjusting your volume:

In the Microphone section, you can set your volume with the volume slider, or you can select Automatically adjust microphone settings.
In the Speakers section, you can adjust the volume slider or you can select Automatically adjust speaker settings.
In the Ringing section, you can select the Ring PC Speaker check box so that you don’t have to hear another call ringing in your headphones while you are trying to have a conversation with someone.

All three sections include a dropdown list that allows you to select specific devices or to choose Windows Default Device for your microphone, speakers, and ringing.

Near the bottom of this window you will see three options:

Make a Free Test Call
Learn more about setting up your audio equipment
Buy a headset or Skype phone from the Skype shop

Be sure to click on Save after you have changed your settings.

Making a Skype video call on your PC

To make a video call on your PC, follow these steps:

Select a contact from your list in the main Skype window.
Click the green call button.
When your contact answers, click the little blue video icon located at the bottom of the Skype call window.

That’s all there is to it!