Reload or refresh the page that can help sometimes also close all windows you are not using.

Try not using the VPN. Has Skype been blocked?

I know that there are two different skype clients: a "normal" international one and a "china" one which is part of the TOM group (and is most likely monitored by the G-O-V).

I primarily use email, so I'm not sure, but maybe the China version works better (as long as you don't talk about sensitive stuff). I'm guessing this is the case, as you cannot download the international client in China without a VPN.

Anyone use the China version?

The only thing that really helps is a faster connection.  When you are trying to do real-time video from one side of the planet to the other, you need much more than 256kbs.  You need at least 1mb to have an okay connection.

And as Rafiki said, you need to make sure you also have the non-Chinese version (it is downloaded from tom.com) and that will help a little since it won't be loaded with monitoring software.

It is often hard to come by the non tom.com version of Skype if you are in China.  All google searches for Skype and all downloads for Skype are usually redirected tom.com.  It's amazing but it happens.

You will need to find a full installer (a stand-alone full installer) from a Western site that someone has not been linked to tom.com.  Indeed your video will work better.

If you like, you and your family can download QQ.  Make sure you download the English version though.

Works for me a lot better than skype or yahoo.

If you use Linux, non-tom skype is available on all the major repos. It doesn't help. Chinese internet is just slow, not just because of the monitoring, but because of poor infrastructure and getting overloaded in peak hours. I did my skyping after midnight, which helped marginally.

You will need to download the latest version, again as stated, NOT the Tom version.  Try cnet here: http://download.cnet.com/Skype/3000-2349_4-10225260.html or do a g00gle search. Do not download from a website called softtonic, it's Chinese and you'll get Tom Skype.

After you install the good version, check to see if your ports are all open.  Here's a hot-to guide:  http://www.ehow.com/how_6826385_open-ports-skype.html

If you do have a VPN that works well, simply opening the VPN and trying to run skype won't help.  You need to configure Skype to connect to the net via the proxy:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5575179_use-skype-through-proxy.html

Try these tips and it should help.  Extra tips:

1.) Don't have QQ installed/running at the same time.  It monitors and shuts off ports for other programs (because it's an evil PoS).  It will slow down your Skype connections.  It also uses ports 80/443 and will awesomely block other programs from using them, because it was made by scumbags.

2.) Make sure your firewall is set to allow Skype to connect properly.  This will depend on what you use for a firewall and your router, so just search for this depending on what you have.

3.) The internet in China gets bogged down from too much traffic from about 3:30pm-6 (due to people at work watching movies and stuff at work near the end of the day) and when it's raining (everyone is hiding from the rain and probably online - watching movies), so try to avoid video calls at this time.

I do skype video calls all the time and I have few issues (except during rain). Good luck.

I have had the same problem. If you and the person you are calling have a Mac or iphone, use Facetime instead. Its reception is much clearer and the gov't does not pay attention to it yet.

I dont recommend using Skype for business meetings as it is mostly used for personal and casual interactions online. For online business meetings, I would recommend tools like webex, R-HUB web conferencing servers, gomeetnow, gotomeeting etc. They work well.

Download the new version of Skype.