Email, Messaging, & Video Calls Video Calls How to Make a Skype Test Call Use the Echo sound test service to check your audio settings By Nadeem Unuth Freelance Contributor Nadeem Unuth is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who specializes in information and communication technology with a focus on VoIP. our editorial process LinkedIn Nadeem Unuth Updated March 09, 2020 The Ultimate Guide to Skype The Ultimate Guide to Skype Introduction Skype Basics Internet Speed Required for Skype HD Calls How Much Does It Cost to Use Skype? How to Delete Your Skype Account Guide to Using Skype as Your Home Phone Getting Started How to Change Your Skype Username Setting up a Conference Call With Skype How to Make a Skype Conference Call How to Make HD Video Calls With Skype How to Share a Screen on Skype Tips for Using Skype How to Record Skype Calls Use Skype's Split View Mode in Windows 10 Stop Skype From Starting Automatically How to Blur the Background In Skype How to Find and Use Skype Emoji How to Skype With Alexa Working with Contacts How to Add Contacts on Skype How to Delete Skype Contacts How to Block Someone on Skype How to Unblock Someone on Skype How to Delete a Skype Conversation Skype on Different Platforms Installing Skype on Ubuntu Installing Skype on a Mac Using Skype on an iPad & iPhone Using Skype on a Chromebook Using Skype in a Web Browser How to Use Skype for Android Creating a Skype Account on Windows Troubleshooting & Updating What to Do When Skype Isn't Working Make a Test Call How to Uninstall Skype How to Update Fix Skype Webcam Problems Tweet Share Email Checking that your Skype connection is in top working order before that important call comes in is crucial, of course — Skype offers a simple, always-available way to be sure: the Echo/Test Sound Service. Instructions in this article apply to Skype version 12 or higher on Windows 10, 8, or 7 and Mac OS X 10.10 or higher. Make a Skype Test Call After you install Skype on your computer or before an important call, verify that your audio is working well and that your computer's connection to the internet and to Skype are strong enough to facilitate a call. You also should check that you're able to hear well and that the person on the other end can hear you, too. Start Skype and log in to your account. Select the Contacts tab in the panel on the left, which is where all your contacts are displayed. Among them, you'll see a link for the Echo/Test Sound Service. If your contact list is sorted alphabetically, it will appear under E. Select Echo/Test Sound Service to open its details on the main pane of the interface. Select the calling button to initiate the call. A female voice will welcome you and introduce you to the service for 10 seconds. After the beep, speak into your microphone; the service records your voice for 10 seconds, so for the most thorough test, continue talking for the duration. After the second beep, your recorded voice will playback for 10 seconds. Then, you'll hear the female voice again, explaining that the test has concluded. If you hear your voice clearly during the playback, your audio is configured properly, and you can make voice calls without a problem. If you don't hear your own recording, your microphone might be misconfigured or damaged. If you don't hear Echo, check your audio configurations. Ensure, for example, that your external equipment, such as headphones, speaker, or headset, is connected properly to your computer. If you hear absolutely nothing right from the start, then you might have a problem with your computer's sound function. Check your sound card settings and drivers. The Echo/Sound Test function also checks your connection. When you initiate the call, it tries to connect to a Skype remote server. If it fails, you have a problem with your internet connection. If you're able to use your internet connection but can't connect to the Echo/Sound Test, the problem might lie with Skype.