How to Activate a Webcam on Skype
By Paul Betters
With Skype, you can video chat over the Internet for free. Of course, to video chat, you need a computer-compatible video camera, commonly known as a webcam.
Attaching your webcam - if it is not already built in to your computer -- will differ depending on what kind of camera you have, but setting up the camera to work with Skype is the same for any model.
Step 1
Attach the webcam to your computer.
Step 2
Run Skype. Close the Welcome Screen if it pops up.
Step 3
Open the Tools menu at the top of the window. Click "Options..." to open the Options window.
Step 4
Click the General button on the left side of the Options window. The button has a light switch icon next to it.
Step 5
Click Video Settings.
Step 6
Click the "Select webcam" drop-down menu. You will see a list of available webcams attached to your computer. Select the one you would like to use.
Step 7
Click the "Webcam settings" button. Adjust the contrast, brightness, and contrast settings to produce a clearer picture.
Tips
- If you are using a built-in laptop webcam, Skype will automatically detect it, without requiring you to attach or plug in anything. Built-in laptop webcams are small, built-in lenses that are usually located right above the monitor screen.
Writer Bio
Paul Betters is a freelance writer who is currently working out of Providence, R.I. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Rhode Island and has been writing instructional articles since April of 2009, specializing in technology.