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Microphone only working for one Ubuntu user in Skype

rated 0 times [ 1] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 649 / 3 Years ago, mon, june 7, 2021, 10:31:12

I've had problems with Skype for a bit, but managed to fix some of them (using Skype from the repos to make it work with Pulseaudio, fixing cracking sounds as described in a blog post on itbubbles).

Now I have a rather odd problem: I have different Ubuntu accounts for work and private, and Skype works fine in my work account, but in my private user account, the microphone doesn't work. I think I did the last Skype reinstallation on the work account.

The microphone works well in other apps, but only silence in Skype (although I can hear the other side just fine). But the Skype recording does seem to transmit system sounds (Skype notification sounds are recorded/transmitted).

I tried with a clean Skype profile (dumping the ~/.Skype directory), but no effect. I'm on XUbuntu 13.10, Skype 4.2.0.11.

Any ideas?

What settings could be saved user-specifically? Access right issues? User-specific audio settings?

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2 Years ago

answered 3 Years ago steaocyte · Accepted Answer

"The microphone works well in other apps, but only silence in Skype (though I can hear the other side just fine). But the Skype recording does seem to transmit system sounds (Skype notification sounds are recorded/transmitted)."

So your problem is that skype is recording from the monitor source of your sound card and not from the microphone. To solve this install pavucontrol:

sudo apt-get install pavucontrol

then launch it and go to the Recording tab. Now initiate a test call in Skype. Skype will show up in the recording tab and it is likely recording from a monitor, like in this screenshot:

Skype recording from monitor source

Change it to record from your proper input source, e.g. see this screenshot:

Skype recording from a correct source

Pulseaudio should remember your choice, so next time you won't have to go into pavucontrol.