Fix: Skype Keep Crashing On Windows 10 & 11

Skype is one of the oldest and most widespread VOIP programs used by millions daily.

Despite this software’s useful features, intuitive interface, and the reputable Microsoft-owned Skype Technologies division standing behind its development, the software, like many others, comes packed with its own set of flaws.

One of the most common issues known to Skype users is the random crash problem, and that’s exactly what we’ll help you fix in the guide below.

Wonder why Skype closes randomly while you’re using it? Now’s the right time to learn more.

Let’s get into it.

Why Does Skype Keep Crashing On Windows 10?

Skype can stop working properly and crash due to multiple reasons, such as the user’s PC running out of RAM, a lack of CPU resources, or corrupt files in the app’s root folder, which are all valid and identifiable causes.   

But, there are also times when Skype stops working without a specific reason, and the only information given to the user is the message from the default Windows crash report stating that “A problem caused the program to stop working correctly.”

In such cases, we need to identify the problem manually by trying different things and experimenting with a trial-and-error approach, which can be either too time-consuming or complicated for some users.  

Luckily, we’ve already done that and tested multiple methods so you don’t have to, and they seem to fix the frequent Skype crashes for the majority of users. Take a look at the sections below containing a step-by-step tutorial for each one of the fixes.

Fix 1: Run Skype As An Administrator

One of the simplest solutions for the Skype crash problem on Windows 10 and 11 is to operate the program as an Administrator. This only takes a few moments to perform but can prevent various permission-related problems that might result in app crashing or launching failure.

It doesn’t always work, but it’s well worth trying as it’s so quick.

To run Skype as an Administrator, follow the steps below:

1. Locate the Skype shortcut, whether be it on your Desktop, Start Menu, or Taskbar.
2. Right-click the shortcut and choose Run as Administrator from the list of options.

If this fixes your problem, you can avoid repeating the same two steps each time you wish to start Skype on your computer by doing the following:

1. Right-click the Skype shortcut and choose Properties.
2. Click Compatibility.
3. Enable the “Run this program as an administrator” option by “ticking” the box next to it.
4. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Now every time you run Skype, it will start with Administrator privileges. If this was causing Skype to not start properly or crash while using it, the problem should now be solved.

If this didn’t help, take a look at the other sections for more fixes.

Fix 2: Ensure You Have The Latest Skype Update(s)

Skype is a well-liked program that receives updates frequently. However, if you have the app disabled on startup or simply haven’t used it for a long time, chances are you may not have the newest version installed.

A few users additionally mentioned that Skype does not automatically update for them.

No matter the cause, if you don’t have the latest Skype updates installed, it could be the reason why the app is so unstable on your computer.

Updating it is a feasible fix, and here’s how to do that:

1. Launch Skype on your computer, preferably as an Administrator, as shown in the previous section, and then sign into your account.
2. Click on Help or press the ALT key if you don’t see the “Help” button.
3. Choose Check for updates manually.

Now the app will begin downloading an update if there are any accessible, or let you know that you have the most recent version installed.

If you have a different user interface within your Skype app, follow the steps below to get to the update section:

1. Open Skype and sign in to your account.
2. Click on the three horizontal dots next to your name and choose Settings.
3. From the left sidebar, choose Help & Feedback.
4. Update the app if there’s an available and pending download.

Now your Skype app has the latest downloads installed, which often include various bug fixes and other useful changes. We always recommend having the latest version of Skype installed.

Fix 3: Reset The Skype App  

If the update of Skype didn’t resolve the problem, resetting the application might help.

Many issues could arise from corrupt or broken files, misconfigured settings, or older, improperly installed files mixing with new ones.

All of this can be solved by a simple app reset, and if you wish to do that, follow the steps below to see how.

1. Press Windows + X simultaneously on your keyboard and choose Task Manager.
2. Navigate to the Processes tab and make sure that no Skype-related processes run in the background. You can right-click a process and choose End Task to terminate it.
3. Once you ensured Skype is fully closed, click Windows + I simultaneously on your keyboard to open Windows Settings.
4. Click on Apps.
5. Search for Skype on the list of installed apps, click on it, and choose Advanced Settings.
6. Scroll down until you find the Reset option and click on it. 

Note: This will delete all data associated with the app. Please make sure you know your login credentials as doing this will require you to re-log into Skype after the process is complete.

Resetting the Skype app helped many users solve various problems related to it, such as the common Skype constantly freezing issue. The Repair function is also worth trying as that’s also a helpful method, but a slightly “milder” one that doesn’t fully reset the app’s files and doesn’t delete the data associated with it.

We recommend resetting over repairing as that’s a more thorough solution. You are free to try both, though.

Fix 4: Perform A Clean Skype Reinstall

Last but not least, if nothing else solved this issue, we recommend doing a clean reinstall by following the steps below:

1. Press Windows + S simultaneously on your keyboard to open the Windows Search Box. Within it, type in %AppData%Microsoft and press Enter.
2. Search for a folder named Skype for Desktop, right-click it, choose Rename, and add “_old” at the end of its name. The folder should now be named “Skype for Desktop_old”
3. Download the latest Skype version from the official website and install the files on your system.
4. Once the installation is complete, delete the “Skype for Desktop_old” folder.
5. Launch the app and see if it’s now working properly and without crashing.

If the old Skype root folder had any corrupt or misconfigured files causing the crashes, they’ll now be gone, and the new version you downloaded from the website will create its own “Skype for Desktop” folder with clean and original files.

Conclusion

If Skype randomly closes itself during important calls and meetings, that’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

By applying the methods listed in the sections above, you should be able to fix the problem and continue using the app without further issues.