Latest Skype (version 8.16.0.4) On CentOS 7

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Hi all!

I’ve finally been reduced to having to install Skype on my Linux box. I resisted for years, but now ended up trying it.

and while the latest RPM installs just fine, it refuses to acknowledge that I have a microphone!

In fact I have two: 1 in the USB web cam (it finds the cam), the second in a Plantronics USB headset, which works fine but not with skype. it is as if it doesn’t exist.

So, when I connect to someone I can hear them, see them, and they can see me, but I’m producing no sound output.

All the web hits I can find for nonfunctional microphone on the web are for Ubuntu. GAH!

running ldd against the skypeforlinux binary results in a huge list of shared libraries, including libasound (which is what the ubuntu messages say is missing).

Anybody got a clue?

Thanks in advance!

Fred

9 thoughts on - Latest Skype (version 8.16.0.4) On CentOS 7

  • Hello Fred,

    Using the same skype version (and former ones), with various input/output hardware (not the ones you have), I encounter no issue here with sound setup (I know this doesn’t help, sorry). Are you able to use the hardware you described, especially the input device, with other software in this CentOS7, starting with alsamixer?

    Regards,

  • the Plantronics USB headset works great as both earphones and as a mic. I use it regularly for videoconferences using various web-based meeting/conference apps.

    whenever I plug in the USB headset I have to use pavucontrol to manage sound. whenever it is not plugged in, I use the sound app in the upper menu, which turns out to be mate-volume-control (yes, I use the Mate desktop, not Gnome). This seems weird, but I’ve grown used to it.

    With skype, the audio settings menu refuses to admit to there being any such audio device attached to the system.

    Subsequent to my posting, I discovered that my ancient analog phone/mic headset works with skype, so I’m more or less set–except I like the Plantronics a lot better. it (the analog one, not the USB) has two 1/8
    inch phone plugs, one pink, one green. plug ’em into the pink and green jacks, hack at the sound settings for a while, turn off the speakers
    (cause the system won’t mute them when the phones are plugged in)
    and voila.

    Fred

  • I’m not a skype user myself, so haven’t tried it, but as there are many apps that are in FlatHub, and so directly accessible for CentOS 7 (that comes with flatpak since 7.4.1708)

    Have you tried with that one ?

  • No, but wouldn’t it be the same binaries as MS distributes? (which is what I have).

    I posted a reply to my own message in which I noted that I had later discovered that it works fine with my old analog mic/headset, but the USB one may as well not be attached, as Skype acts as if it is not even there.

    Weird-but-frustrating, because my USB webcam works, but skype refuses to use the mic that is built into the webcam (as well as pretending that the usb headset doesn’t exist). so it appears that skype is ignorant of USB audio devices. Not sure why that would be, since such things are
    “just another” audio device.

  • Hi,

    There is also nowadays web version of Skype. Not sure if it is available for all users yet, but at least I can access it in my Fedora install with Chrome.

    I’ve used it only for chatting, so no idea if it works for calls as well, but perhaps worth a try?

    Best, Peter