One of the most annoying Skype problems is the “Problem on Recording Device” error message when trying to make a call. Usually, users encounter this error message after the call is hanged up automatically. Some users have reported that this problem happens rarely while others face the issue every time they try to make a call.
The causes for this error message are multiple, so be prepared to a few troubleshooting steps if you want it fixed. If your configuration is in order, the most likely cause is a recent update that caused Skype to lock itself out of the hardware. Some users have started to encounter the “Problem with recording device” error right after upgrading to Windows 10 to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. This issue mainly happens with headsets – error doesn’t appear when using the built-in laptop mic. Below you have two methods that have helped Skype users to bypass the “Problem with recording device” error. Please follow each fix in order until you encounter a solution that works for you.
Prerequisites
Before you start following the methods below, it’s important to go over a few things to make sure that your hardware is properly configured. Since the “Problem with recording device” error can also be caused by a hardware error, let’s start by making sure that your microphone is actually working. To do this, press Windows key + R, type “mmsys.cpl” and press Enter to open the Sound and Audio window.
If you’re using a headset, you need to make sure that its microphone is the default choice. In the Sound window, go to the Recording tab and make sure the headset microphone is selected as the default. If your headset mic is not the default choice, select it and click on Set Default.
Finally, say something into the microphone and see if the level bar on the left-side of your mic entry is rising. If it is, your microphone doesn’t have a hardware problem. If you determined that your headset / built-in mic doesn’t have a hardware problem, follow the methods below until you find a fix that works for you.
Method 1: Disable Exclusive Control for your mic
Most of the time, the error “Problem with recording device” surfaces after a Windows update. Apparently, a setting change can cause Skype to lock itself out of the hardware and trigger this error when it’s unable to make use of the microphone. The culprit is a sound priority setting called “Exclusive Control” that gets overridden by some updates performed by WU (Windows Update). Fortunately, this issue can be easily fixed by going into the sound settings and reverting to the default behavior. Here’s how: If you were able to hear yourself during the test, your problems should now be fixed. You can try calling a real contact to confirm. If you’re still encountering the “Problem with recording device” error, move down to Method 2.
Method 2: Reinstalling/updating sound card driver
If the steps above have been unuseful in getting rid of the “Problem with recording device” error, there’s a high chance that the issue is related to a problem with the audio codecs or the Audio driver on your system. In the event that you have this problem on a laptop, check to see if you have generic audio Realtek drivers installed. These are known to conflict with some laptop models that normally require dedicated audio drivers provided by their vendor. Vendor-provided audio drivers are configured specifically for your computer model and normally don’t have problems such as the “Problem with recording device” error. If your microphone doesn’t have a hardware issue, reinstalling the proper audio drivers will surely eliminate the issue. Follow the step by step guide below on updating your audio driver signatures and installing audio drivers from your vendor’s website (if required).
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