Skype can’t access your sound card? We have the best fixes

by Ivan Jenic

Troubleshooting Expert

March 30, 2020

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Sound cards serve as the ultimate controllers of all audio functions on computer systems.

Hence, every program (system or installed) that hosts an audio (or video) function requires a seamless connection to the sound card, to enable it function properly. One of such programs is Skype.

Skype is an instant messaging app, which is prominent for its video calling functionality.

This calling function significantly relies on computer’s in-built sound system, for recording sounds (outgoing calls) and receiving sounds (incoming calls). In this regard, the sound card is a very important component.

However, at times, Skype users often encounter the Skype can’t access your sound card error. In this case, the app is unable to use the computer’s microphone.

What causes Skype error: Can’t access your sound card?

There could be a myriad of reasons for the Skype can’t access your sound card error. The most notorious of these, however, are system updates and Windows upgrades.

These often result in some form of system modifications, which remove Skype‘s permission to access the sound card and use the microphone.

Another notable cause of this error is an old and outdated sound card driver. The idea is that, a freshly updated Windows system that operates on outdated drivers is liable to encounter various forms of errors.

As such, outdated sound card drivers running on newly updated computers will most likely result in access error for Skype and other audio-related programs.

Aside the aforementioned causes, a whole lot things could cause the Skype audio error.

However, you don’t have to worry much, as we have compiled comprehensive solutions, to help you resolve this issue. Follow with rapt attention!

• RELATED: Full Fix: Skype video lags behind audio on Windows 10, 8.1, 7

How to I fix Skype can’t access your sound card error?

1. Allow programs to access your computer sound system

For Windows 8 and older versions:

1. Close your Skype app.
2. Click on the Start button and navigate to Control Panel.
3. Change the window’s view to Category and select Hardware and Sound.
4. On the displayed options, select Sound.
5. Navigate to the Recording tab, located at the top left corner of your screen. This will reveal to you the type of microphone you are using.
6. Click on the displayed Microphone and select Properties, which is below the microphone icon, by the right hand side.
7. On the displayed window, navigate to the base of your screen and locate Device usage drop-down menu.
8. On the drop-down options, select Use this device (enable).
9. Scroll up and navigate to the right hand side to locate the Advanced Click on the tab.
10. Locate Exclusive mode.
11. Under this mode, locate the Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device checkbox and uncheck the box
12. On the same window, locate the Give exclusive mode applications priority checkbox and uncheck the box.
13. Click Apply to save changes.
14. Repeat the process for Speaker device and close the window.
15. Reopen Skype and check if the Skype can’t access your sound card error still persists.

For Windows 10:

1. Close Skype.
2. Click on the Start
3. Type Settings and click on Settings on the pop up options.
4. Locate Privacy and click on it.
5. Locate App permissions by the left hand section of your screen and click on it.
6. Locate Microphone and click on it.
7. Check if the Allow access to the microphone on this device pop up option is On. If not, change it to On.
8. Locate Allow apps to access your microphone and set it to On.
9. Locate Skype under installed apps, set the slider to On, under Skype.
10. Relaunch Skype and check if the error is still there.

• READ ALSO: FIX: Skype Won’t Close in Windows 10

By default, Windows computers allow programs to access the microphone.

However, due to some changes, tweaks, scans, repairs or updates, this default setting might be disrupted. Hence, a program like Skype may be denied access to the system’s microphone.

Editor’s Note: This article continues on the next page.