Skype Closing Itself? Fixes for Crashes

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

If Skype keeps closing itself, the app is crashing, usually due to a corrupted cache, an outdated version, a conflicting background process, or a problem with your device’s audio/video drivers. The fixes below, ordered from simplest to most involved, resolve the vast majority of these crashes on Windows, macOS, and mobile.

Why Skype Crashes: The Common Causes

Skype is a resource-intensive application that relies on real-time audio and video processing, which makes it sensitive to a few specific issues. Understanding these helps you pick the right fix rather than trying random solutions.

Corrupted cache and app data: Over time, the temporary files Skype uses to store avatars, message previews, and conversation history can become corrupted. When Skype tries to read this bad data, it crashes immediately on startup or during a call.
Outdated Skype version: Older versions often have bugs that have been fixed in newer releases. Skype also updates its server-side protocols, so an old client may become incompatible and crash when trying to connect.
Conflicting background processes: A previous Skype process that didn’t shut down completely can interfere with a new one. Similarly, other apps that use the camera or microphone (like a browser or another messaging app) can cause a conflict that crashes Skype.
Outdated or faulty audio/video drivers: Skype relies heavily on your device’s drivers for webcam and microphone input. A broken or outdated driver can cause the app to crash the moment a call starts or when you try to access settings.
Overheating or low memory: On older devices, Skype’s video processing can push the CPU or GPU to the limit, causing the system to kill the app to prevent a full system crash.

Quick Fixes to Try First

These steps take less than a minute each and solve a surprising number of crash issues.

Restart your device. This clears temporary memory and stops any stuck background processes. It’s the simplest fix and often the most effective.
Check for Skype updates. On Windows, open Skype, go to Help (or the three-dot menu) > Check for updates. On macOS, open the App Store and check the Updates tab. On mobile, go to your app store and see if an update is available.
Close Skype completely and reopen it. On Windows, right-click the Skype icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner) and select Quit. On macOS, press Cmd+Q. Then reopen Skype. This ensures no background process is lingering.
Restart your router. A flaky network connection can sometimes cause the app to crash if it can’t maintain a connection to Skype’s servers. Unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully reconnect.

Clear the Skype Cache (Windows and macOS)

If the quick fixes don’t work, clearing the cache is the next step. This is safe and won’t delete your chat history or contacts – those are stored on Skype’s servers.

On Windows:

Close Skype completely (right-click the tray icon > Quit).
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type %appdata%\Skype and press Enter. This opens the Skype data folder.
Look for a folder named my_skype_data or a file named main.db. The exact name varies by version. Delete the entire contents of the folder that opens, but do not delete the folder itself.
Restart Skype. It will rebuild the cache fresh.

On macOS:

Close Skype (Cmd+Q).
Open Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G, and type ~/Library/Application Support/Skype.
Delete the contents of this folder (again, not the folder itself).
Restart Skype.

Repair or Reinstall the App

If the cache clear doesn’t work, the installation itself may be corrupted. A repair install will fix missing or broken files without removing your data.

Windows: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find Skype, click the three-dot menu, and choose Advanced options. There you’ll see a Repair button. If that doesn’t work, use Reset – this will clear the app’s data, so you’ll need to sign in again.
macOS: There’s no built-in repair. You’ll need to uninstall Skype completely (drag the app from Applications to Trash, and also delete the ~/Library/Application Support/Skype folder and the ~/Library/Preferences/com.skype.skype.plist file) and then reinstall from the App Store or Skype’s official website.
Mobile (Android/iOS): Delete the app and reinstall it from your app store. This clears all local data, so you’ll need to sign in again.

Update Audio and Video Drivers

If Skype crashes specifically when you start a call or access your camera/microphone settings, the problem is likely a driver issue.

Windows: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand Audio inputs and outputs and Cameras. Right-click each device and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. If that finds nothing, go to your laptop or motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your specific model.
macOS: Drivers are updated via macOS system updates. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates.
Check for conflicting apps: Close any other app that might be using the camera or microphone (like Zoom, Teams, or a web browser with a video call open) before starting a Skype call.

When Skype Crashes on Startup Only

If Skype crashes immediately when you open it, before you even sign in, the cause is almost always a corrupted cache or a conflict with the auto-start feature.

Disable auto-start: In Skype, go to Settings > General and turn off Automatically start Skype. This prevents the app from launching at boot and potentially crashing before you can interact with it.
Use the safe mode trick: On Windows, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking the Skype icon to launch it. This starts Skype in a compatibility mode that skips loading some add-ons and can bypass the crash. If it works, you can then go to settings and disable any problematic add-ons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing the cache delete my chat history?

No. Your chat history is stored on Skype’s servers. Clearing the local cache only removes temporary files like avatars and previews. When you sign back in, your messages will re-download.

Why does Skype crash when I share my screen?

Screen sharing is graphics-intensive. If your graphics drivers are outdated or your computer is low on memory, the app can crash. Update your GPU drivers (Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA) and close other heavy applications before sharing.

Is there a web version of Skype I can use instead?

Yes. Skype for Web works in most modern browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox). If the desktop app keeps crashing, you can use web.skype.com as a temporary workaround. It has most of the core features, though some advanced settings are missing.

Why does Skype crash on my iPhone but not on my computer?

This usually indicates a problem with the iOS app itself or a conflict with your iPhone’s storage. Try deleting and reinstalling the app. Also check that your iOS is up to date, as Skype often requires the latest OS version.

Does uninstalling and reinstalling Skype fix crashes permanently?

It fixes the immediate problem, but if the underlying cause is something like a failing hard drive or overheating, the crashes may return. Reinstalling is a solid fix for software corruption, but if it happens repeatedly, consider hardware issues.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.