Windows 10 1909 vs Skype App and Desktop

RustyFalcon said:

Ugh... got a new Logitech C920 webcam with all this teleworking stuff going on but I cannot get it consistently to work. on my Windows 10 1909 18363.752 desktop.

My desktop is connected via CAT5 through a Ubiquiti switch to my Ubiquiti router thence on to my cable modem with 1Gbps down/50 Mbps up Internet service. I have both the current Microsoft Store SKYPE APP and the Skype Desktop version installed. Device Manager tells me I have Imaging Devices > HD Pro Webcam C920 installed at driver version 1.3.92.0 from Logitech dated 5/7/2019.

In the Skype APP - from Microsoft Store:
- I can see the video output from my camera
- I cannot make calls of any kind - I get "Weak Connection try again later"

In the Skype Desktop version - downloaded and installed
- I cannot see my video camera input - black screen only
- I can make audio calls

I solved this about a year ago by deleting the APP version and installing the DESKTOP version then setting "EnableFrameServerMode" to "0" using RegEdit in Windows Media Foundation > Platform folders but that isn't resolving the issue.

I have been Googling and trying different settings all afternoon to no avail and am rather frustrated. Several Microsoft support posts advocate deleting the Skype APP and then all will be well using the Desktop version but that's not my experience.

For other applications:
- I can see video in the Microsoft Camera app
- I can make video calls in the Messenger app
- GoToMeeting app spins and spins trying to access my camera
- Zoom application captures and passes video just fine
- Curiously the Logitech Camera Settings app shows a black screen no video and the Logitech Capture app shows error Camera Not Available even with no other apps running

I'm feeling like this is a driver issue but Device Manager is telling me the driver is up to date with a reasonable recent 2019 version number.

Any ideas would be appreciated to get this camera consistently up and running in Skype and other applications.

Thank you,
Brian Decker

Evening, Rusty.

The first thing that comes to mind is, did you add a USB extender cable between the webcam and computer? I have a lowly C270 and when I attach the USB extension cable that came with my keyboard/mouse combo for a better reach, things didn't work so well.

When I took the extender cable off, things work OK now.

BTW, I don't use Skype from the Store; I use the one downloaded from Skype.com. If you have both installed, maybe uninstall 'em both and then install the Desktop version from Skype.com.

I have Skype for Business also, but don't use that.

Went looking and found this, Rusty:

Getting Started - HD Pro Webcam C920 – Logitech Support + Download

RustyFalcon said:

Hi Wynona and thanks for the ideas...
a). I had the camera on a USB3 hub... moved it to a USB3 port on the computer... same results
b). Might try uninstalling them both again tomorrow and install ONLY the Desktop version
c). I'll check the Support site and docs tomorrow as well

- - - Updated - - -

0401 update:
- uninstalled all Logitech softwares, unstalled all Skype versions, uninstalled C920 device in Device Manager, disconnected camera, rebooted
- C920 back under Imaging Devices as before
- Microsoft Camera, Zoom, Messenger have video, various webcam test sites can see video

Very good! You went way beyond what I was thinking! Nice when things come together the way they should!

Be careful with Zoom, Rusty. Hackers are having a field day with it!

Windows 10 alert: Zoom client can leak your network login credentials | ZDNet

RustyFalcon said:

Hi Wynona.... I appreciate the caution... the only thing I use Zoom for is a church worship team periodic discussion, nothing important for certain!

So basically I can't use Skype APP or DESKTOP, but was video calling people all day yesterday using Messenger. So far so good. I have a Skype meeting today and will try and use the web version to see if it can see my web. It's a bit frustrating that even the Logitech software cannot use or control the webcam, but I'm going to move on. LOL

I also note on my other home desktop also Win 10 x64 with an older Logitech webcam... same deal, no video in Skype DESKTOP or APP. Perhaps the issue is a fundamental one between Logitech cameras and Skype.

I'll leave this thread open in case I have any breakthroughs with Skype or if anyone else chimes in with ideas.

Thanks for the help!

My Background:

I teach Windows 10 at the Senior Activity Center in Benton, Arkansas. I also attend a Genealogy class. For both classes, each student was required to bring their laptop computers to class. That is, until CADC decided it would be prudent to close all the SACs in Arkansas due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We were studying Skype as a way of communicating with friends and family when the Center closed down. We hadn't gotten to Skype Audio/Video meetings when that happened; however, that didn't stop us!

Because Windows 10 and Genealogy go hand-in-hand we had decided to have a membership list, with phone numbers and email addresses of both groups combined. I created a group for us to play with. Everyone had also installed and set up Skype on their computers. I then posted in the group to see if folks would like to try to continue to learn through Skype. I got a resounding yes from both sets of students, which is mostly overlapping.

What I found:

There is absolutely no problem between my Logitech C270 webcam and Skype. Nor is there any problem with any of the group's laptops. Of course, there's no program (except for Skype) that has to be on the laptop computers. Also, there's no program (that I know of) that has to be installed with my webcam in order to use it. From the first webcam I ever had (Microsoft's Life Cam) a few years ago, and for all of them between then and the C270 webcam of today, I never had to install even one. The Life Cam is still alive and well and is sitting on my computer at the Center!

We had a live Windows 10 Skype meeting yesterday morning at 10:00 AM with no problems. We had a live Genealogy Skype meeting this morning at 10:00 AM. We've been having these live meetings for about three weeks now, so, I can absolutely and positively say that there is no problem between Logitech webcams and Skype.

I 'm going way out on a limb here, but from what you've said, you're installing some kind of Logitech software for your webcam? As I said above, I've never, ever, installed any software for any webcam. Could that possibly be your problem?

<Ducking and Running>

Rusty, here's a thread I started when we were setting up Skype Video that may be of a little help. Or not.

Skype Video Chatting

RustyFalcon said:

Thanks so much for the additional replies. I'll definitely take a look. I did install various Logitech software trying to solve the problem including Capture, Camera Settings, GHub. They are all uninstalled now but still Skype acts like it cannot use my camera - that includes APP, DESKTOP, and WEB versions. I'm beginning to wonder if there are residual Logitech bits laying around in the Windows OS now that are causing my issues I'll keep working on it so thank you!

There's a program called Revo Uninstaller (revouninstaller.com) that's pretty powerful. I don't know if they have a trial version, but if they do, you might see if it will find the bits and pieces.

Also, Logitech should have an uninstaller for its stuff.

If you can remember everything you've done, maybe reinstall, then try Revo. It's pretty powerful and they seem to have a sale on at the moment; $26.95. I bought it some time back and like it, but haven't had to use it all that much.