Doesn't show screen sharing on Skype. What features are available in Skype calls? Screen sharing accessibility

Using Skype, you can not only communicate by voice and see each other through a webcam, but also show your interlocutor what is happening on your monitor screen.

Situations may be different:

  • this could be a joint viewing of a photo collection with someone close to you, if he is not nearby,
  • this could be a demonstration of professional achievements when communicating with management,
  • or maybe you just want to brag to your friends about your success in some game.

How to share screen on Skype

To show the subscriber (interlocutor) what is happening on your screen, it is not necessary to tear the webcam from its mount on the monitor and turn it onto the screen. If, purely by chance, you don’t have a tripod nearby (just kidding!), you will have to hold the webcam in your hands in front of the monitor the entire time you show the person your screen.

In the case of, where the webcam is built into the body, this method is completely impossible (although you can try to use a mirror).

If you want to show him something on your monitor screen when communicating with a person via Skype, there is a much easier way to do this using the functionality of the Skype program itself.

While in contact with a subscriber via Skype, open the program window and click the “Calls” menu. In the list of functions, select “Screen sharing” (Fig. 1).
Once again, please note that this function is only active if you have already called and your Skype interlocutor (subscriber) has contacted you.

If there is no connection with anyone (no call), then the “Screen sharing” option will NOT be active (that is, it will have a paler appearance compared to bright, active options), and therefore NOT clickable.

Rice. 1 We are looking in the menu for how to share the screen in Skype

On your screen, in addition to the main mini-window with Skype options for dropping the call, turning on and off the microphone or webcam, another window will appear. In this additional window you will see a miniature of your Desktop with two buttons (Fig. 2):

  • “Start” to start broadcasting to the subscriber what is happening on the screen of your monitor (number 1 in Fig. 2) and
  • “Cancel” if you suddenly change your mind at the last moment.

Rice. 2 How to turn on the screen in Skype - exactly the one we want to show to the interlocutor

If you have several monitors connected to your computer, then the screen will have not one, but several miniature windows depicting what is being shown on these monitors at a given time. Therefore, you can select the screen that you want to show to your interlocutor by first clicking on the thumbnail of this screen (Fig. 2 shows thumbnails of two screens).

Demonstration of one window on Skype from your computer

If you want to make a screen sharing, where there will be NOT the entire window, but a separate window of one program (for example, an Explorer window or a Word window, etc.), then you can switch to broadcasting only the selected separate window. To do this, click on the small triangle under the mini screen images (number 3 in Fig. 3), and then switch

  • from the “Show Desktop” option (number 1 in Fig. 3)
  • to the “Show window” option (number 2 in Fig. 3).

Rice. 3 Skype: how to screen share with the full Desktop or with a separate window on the Desktop

To stop the broadcast of what is happening on the screen of your monitor, you need to click the “Stop showing” button (Fig. 4), which is constantly displayed in the usual Skype mini-window.

Rice. 4 To stop sharing your screen, click on the “Stop sharing” button

How to immediately share your screen

If you don’t want to show yourself before starting a conversation with your interlocutor, then you can start a Skype call right away by showing your screen to your interlocutor. To do this, right-click on the avatar (name, contact) of the called subscriber (number 1 in Fig. 5) and select the “Screen sharing” command (number 2 in Fig. 5). Skype, naturally, will offer to call this person. And your interlocutor will see your monitor screen immediately after answering your call.

Rice. 5 How to immediately enable screen sharing: call and immediately show what’s on our computer screen

By the way, this opportunity can be used for practical jokes. So, the subscriber on the other end of the line can see, for example, not what the webcam is broadcasting in real time, but previously recorded video material and played back by the player in a separate window. What you need now is a creative idea to make the prank a success.

You can enable screen sharing in Skype if you want to show another person your desktop. After all, visual instructions are better than any stories. Using this function, system administrators explain to users how to troubleshoot errors, how to use programs, and how to set configurations. And the user can demonstrate the screen to a specialist. There is no need to describe what problems you have with your computer if they can be seen via Skype.

One of the conveniences of communicating in Skype is the ability to enable desktop demonstration.

And this is not the entire scope of application. You can view photos, videos, websites, games. Explain working issues. Solve some problems together.

General information

To show your desktop on Skype, you need to call your interlocutor. Agree with him in advance to enable voice communication. It requires a stable Internet connection. Otherwise, the broadcast will slow down and be interrupted. Only viewing mode is available. The person will see your demonstration in the Skype window, but will not be able to influence it in any way. Just turn it off. The program is not suitable for remote control.

First, update the utility. Download the latest version from the developers' website or install the update directly via Skype.


Most likely, in outdated versions of the program it will not be possible to show the desktop. The Start Demo option will be grayed out. If you don't want Skype to download anything on its own, install a one-time update.

  • In Windows, click "Help" - "Check for updates."
  • On Android, go to the Play Market app store and see if the utility needs to be updated.
  • On iOS, open the App Store and the Updates tab.

Your interlocutor should also have the latest version of the utility. To enable screen sharing on Skype for several people at once, you need Premium. The program will “inform” about the trial period for 7 days, after which you need to purchase additional bonuses. But Premium is only relevant for group conferences. If you communicate with one opponent, you do not need to pay anything.

ATTENTION. On mobile devices (smartphones, iPhones, tablets) you won’t be able to show your display. But on phones, you can easily view someone else's screen share. Therefore, it is necessary to update the software on the mobile phone as well. As an alternative to Skype, the TeamViewer program is suitable, which works on Android, iOS, and Win. It has a remote control function.

Broadcast

You can share your screen with your Skype interlocutor in voice chat. Even if you turned on the broadcast before the call, the utility will ask you to contact the subscriber. There is no need to purchase suitable audio equipment. And no one forces you to talk. Voice chat has a menu with several icons: camera, microphone, plus (“+”) and handset. If there are no icons there, click on the black panel at the bottom of the window.

IMPORTANT. You won't be able to show off your desktop if you're on a video call. Therefore, temporarily disable it - click on the “camera”. If it is crossed out with a red line, it means that Skype does not transmit video from the web.

Now start broadcasting:

There is another way:

If you have not yet contacted the subscriber:

  1. Select a contact or open a text chat.
  2. Calls menu.
  3. Line "Demonstration".
  4. Only in voice chat you can share your screen via Skype. The program will offer to call the interlocutor. Agree.
  5. Both you and the person you are contacting must have the same version of the utility. If the option is inactive, it means someone is using an outdated build.

Visual instructions save time. The employer will quickly explain to subordinates how to complete the task. A service center employee will describe how to set up the system without any manuals. You can show photos and videos on Skype without uploading them anywhere. Or just show off your screen, shortcuts, and the wallpaper you put on your desk.

The Skype program has many useful functions, one of them is screen demonstration. The screen sharing feature is a convenient and easy way to discuss business with work colleagues or friends using it. You can, for example, explain to your grandmother or parents how to use Skype so that they can experience all the delights of limitless communication.

Skype is a multifunctional program that unites people all over the planet, and helps not only communicate for free, but also do business. Sometimes, when a person is doing some important project on his computer, he urgently needs to show it and consult with someone else, you can explain on your fingers what’s what. But it is much better if your interlocutor sees with his own eyes what is on your monitor.

It is for such cases that the screen sharing function on Skype was invented.

Enable demo screen in Skype

So, to start using this function, first you need to select your interlocutor from the contact list. Click “Call” as usual, but not “Video call”, since in video call mode it is impossible to show what is on your screen. If you started a conversation in video call mode, hover your mouse over the Skype window and click on the video camera icon to turn off video mode. If the camera stash is crossed out, then you are doing everything correctly and you can continue the operation.

Click on the inscription "Call" choose "Screen demonstration", the program will ask if you “really want to start sharing your screen”, click on the tab "Begin". After this, you can ask your interlocutor if he can see your desktop. If you have shown your screen and now want to stop sharing it, then in the upper right corner there is a small window, click "Stop show". You can stop the show in another equally simple way - click on the button "Calls" And "Stop Screen Sharing".

Very convenient is the fact that screen sharing can be shown to several of your interlocutors simultaneously in video conference mode. To ensure that the function works without interruptions, make sure before using it that you have an Internet connection of optimal speed and that the camera is working well.

Millions of users have already downloaded the Skype program to their computer, laptop and mobile devices and enjoy all its benefits. Now you have an excellent, and most importantly free, opportunity to test the operation of this function.

Skype is a fairly multifunctional program. It unites people around the world and allows them not only to communicate, but also to solve professional issues, as well as provide online consultations. It is precisely in order to explain something in detail to your interlocutor that the function we will talk about is necessary!

Few users know how to share a screen on Skype. Meanwhile, there are several ways to perform this function:

  1. Right-click on the desired interlocutor and select “Show screen” in the context list that opens. In the additional submenu, do not forget to indicate that you should give a full-screen review.
  2. Use the user interface by hovering over the bottom of the window in which the conversation is taking place. In the panel that appears, select the white plus sign (it will open additional options).

After these steps, you can share the screen on Skype with your interlocutor. Be careful, because he will see everything, including the movements of the mouse cursor.

Why screen sharing doesn't work on Skype

The command may not always function correctly; below are the most common problems that can cause it to fail:

  • Different versions of the program are installed on the interlocutors’ computers.
  • Some users have a low data transfer speed.

To eliminate these reasons it is necessary:

  • Make sure you are running the latest version of the client.
  • If after you start sharing your screen on Skype, you only see a gray square, you should call your interlocutor again.
  • You can solve the problem of insufficient speed by closing all programs that consume excessive traffic!

The screen sharing feature in Skype will be useful to any user and will solve many problems. Using display sharing, you can show your interlocutors a live picture directly from your desktop and windows that are open on the computer. You can easily make any presentation for work or school, show friends and family photos or files that are stored on your computer, or remotely teach your interlocutor how to use any program on a PC. To get started, you do not need to install various programs and plugins. But you definitely need fast Internet and that each interlocutor has Skype installed. In the free version, this function does not work during a group call. In our article we will tell you how to properly enable screen sharing in Skype and much more.

The Screen Sharing function can only be used with a good Internet connection speed. There will be no image from your webcam during the broadcast. If you have not updated to a new version of Skype, the Screen Sharing feature will not be available. Screen sharing on Skype can be done with sound.

To set up the camera you need:

Microphone and sound settings are done through the “Tools” menu, where you need to find the “Sound Settings” item. You must check that the program sees your microphone. If not, you will have to find and download special drivers. After installation, Skype needs to be rebooted (log out of your account and log in again). You should also check the speakers; to do this, just click on the “Check speakers” button, and the program will do everything itself.

Ways to enable broadcasting on Skype

The first way How to show your screen to your interlocutor via Skype, activated through the menu in the Skype program. There you need to find the “Calls” item and select “Demonstration”. If the demonstration item is not highlighted in any color, you should update the program.

Second way includes screen sharing in Skype through the program interface. In this case, you don't need a menu. When talking with your interlocutor, you need to click on the bottom of the conversation window and click on the plus sign. In the open additional menu you need to select “Demonstration”.

But that’s not all, as soon as you click on “Demonstration” the program will turn on a preview display for you. To share your screen via Skype, you need to click on the “Start” button.

It's very easy to turn off the broadcast. All you have to do is click on the “Stop showing” button in the window with the user’s avatar.

Screen sharing accessibility

You can also present your presentations and even play games through screen casting. Various presentations are often found in our lives, which may be needed for work, study, or just for your friends and acquaintances. To show it to your interlocutor through the program, you need to perform several steps:

  • make a presentation in a special program (Power Point, LibreOffice Draw);
  • launch the program and select “Demonstration”;
  • call the user you want to show the presentation to;
  • select the window where you are running the presentation and click “Start”. The interlocutor will only see the window outlined by a red square.

Video broadcasting can be used not only for work and study, but also for fun. Via Skype you can play simple board games for two or several players, as well as such famous games as: Most Wanted, who wants to become a millionaire online, Warface and even Minecraft. To show your interlocutor your game or play with him, you need to go to the broadcast of the exact window where you are running the game. Click on the small triangle under the smaller versions of the displays and switch “Show desktop” to “Show window”.

Problems with the demo

If the demo is not visible, then there may be two problems:

  • low internet connection speed;
  • The versions of the Skype program between the interlocutors do not match.

It is easy to eliminate such reasons. First, update Skype to the latest version. Try closing all programs on your computer that consume a lot of traffic (for example, Torrent). After this the demo should work fine. When there is no sound during screen sharing in Skype, the problem may be caused by the stereo mixer being turned off. To fix this error, you need to right-click on the speaker and go to “Recording Devices”. There you should turn on the stereo mixer.

In order to show the broadcast to several interlocutors, you need to purchase Skype Premium.

If games are not shown when sharing your screen on Skype, this is most often due to the fact that the game is turned on in full screen mode. You just need to run the game in windowed or borderless windowed mode. If the display parameters are unavailable, the reason may be a simple lack of connection with the interlocutor. You just need to call the person you are talking to whom you need to show the screen on Skype (this can be a regular or video call).

Today, technological progress does not stand still. The opportunity to see a presentation, play games and much more via Skype is real. Using the advice in this article, you will acquire skills and key skills in using Skype. You can easily enable, configure and show screen sharing on Skype to anyone you wish.