Skype Web Toolbars causes crashes in Internet Explorer and Firefox: Apology and solution.
Have you ever seen the phone-numbers in your web-browser being displayed with small flags and a Skype icon next to it?
Something like this? 
If so, then you have experienced the benefit of the Skype Web Toolbars.
Since you have reached this page you have most likely also experienced a crash caused by this feature. I deeply apologize for the trouble caused.and assure you we are doing all we can to resolve this!
In fact, most likely we already have a fixed version for you to start using now!
You can download the latest version here.
If you would rather simply get rid of the add-on (and loose the highlighting of phone-numbers) you can do that from the Tools menu in your browser where you will find an entry about managing add-ons or extensions. In the most recent versions you can also go to the Windows Control Panel and uninstall the item called Skype Web features ! or Skype Toolbars!
You can also view some demonstrations about Skype Toolbars
If you download today, you should get the 3.6 version. Maybe that will help with your issue.
For me, Skype is interfering with Outlook (apparently), even the 3.6 version. When I try to send a message in Outlook, explorer stops working and then immediately restarts.
I am thinking about going back to my old laptop when I want to use Skype.
If you download today, you should get the 3.6 version. Maybe that will help with your issue.
For me, Skype is interfering with Outlook (apparently), even the 3.6 version. When I try to send a message in Outlook, explorer stops working and then immediately restarts.
I am thinking about going back to my old laptop when I want to use Skype.
I just fixed IE 7 (running under Vista) freezing all the time at certain websites. I did so before I even ran onto this thread by turning off/on the IE plug-ins. Yup (that’s US southern/western speech), it was the Skype plug-ins that were doing it. I then searched for why they even existed and ran on to this thread. For what it’s worth, I am running Skype version 3.6.0.216. So Skype’s got a ways to go if they think that version is going to solve the problem.
Hi blue_ridge_rider!
I am very sorry to hear that you are still having problems with the IE add-in.
Some questions:
1. Which websites were causing trouble???
2. Are you sure you really have the latest version? Did you upgrade the IE add-on with your latest install? You can verify the version number by checking the file version of the SkypeIEPlugin.dll file. Latest published version (with Skype) is 2.2.0.144
3. Could you please try to reproduce the issue with the latest BETA version of the IE add-on published at http://developer.skype.com/SkypeToolbars/ ?
Best regards
Peter Kalmström, PM Skype Toolbars
This issue is still alive and kicking. Skype, wake up already. You have known about this issue for close to six months now? Hello??? Here’s an idea, FIX THE PROBLEM or disable this “feature” until it’s fixed!!!!!!!
Anyhow, personal experience: I’m on IE7 under Windows XP. Just installed the latest skype today and IE stopped working on certain sites, like http://www.easysite.com/will
I then called Microsoft and paid $63.57 for tech support. The tech lady (thank you India) surprisingly knew her stuff. She walked me through disabling add-ons in IE and then it hit me… I just installed a new version of Skype. Long story short… I narrowed the issue down to “Skype add-on (mastermind) – Browser Helper Object.” Disabling this browser “Helper Object” solved my problem and got IE back and running. I like the name, “Helper Object.” Funny name for a plug in that crashes your browser.
I’m guessing this feature is what lets you click on phone numbers while you are browsing to make the call using Skype. I don’t really care to have that functionality anyhow. It messes up the look up websites and if I want to call a number that I found online then I’ll enter it or copy and paste it into Skype.
Bottomline, I love Skype but I wish their “world class” engineers and their QA department would wake up already. If I were eBay I might want my $4B back after dealing with this drama today. BTW Skype, you owe me $63.57 for the phone call into Microsoft.
I’ve removed the IE add-on but it just doesn’t work – it stays off for that session, but when I open IE again the add-on is still there ang continues causing problems, I have to lose my session and reopen everything at least once a day! And I havefollowed all the procedures for removing the add-on. Any idea why this happens?
Downloaded skype onto new computer (XP Pro) yesterday and IE kept crashing in certain sites. As I did not know of this problem with skype I have spent the better part of a day uninstalling/reinstalling IE scanning computer etc. Of course this did not help. Then decided to try to uninstall recently added software – skype being the newest was removed first and WOW IE now working again…
Will not be installing skype on any new computer again and will therefore have to limit skype usage to when i can bear to boot up my old computer.
Skype, like ssivulka said, WAKE UP. Why not put a warning on the download page to tell users to disable the add-on, or warning them that if they experience problems after installing skype this is what to do, instead of wasting our time. I’ve always loved Skype but now I’m really losing confidence in you.
I have skype 3.6 with no addons and IE7 stops responding on any website that has flash running on it.
i have the lastest skype installed(downloaded from skype main page) just yesterday, and most recent update of IE7 but skype add-on(mastermind) is causing a slowness when shutting down IE7. i have disabled the add-on for now. i thought it was my new pc for a while, until i went through the add-on for IE7 and disabled them and turning on 1 by 1.
I try solution #1 and #3, issue has not been solved yet. I am going to uninstall Skype and re-install it few days later. Good luck for Skype developer and thank you for your hard work and time.
Even with the newest version of Skype I have the same problems with IE 7, running under Vista.
Some websites are crashing, others not.
After disabling the addin the problems are over.
I don’t understand why it happened, because I had at least two months in which everything worked well.
Skype is cool. I love it. But it is absolutely inadmissible to distribute software that crashes one of the most important parts of the operating system. Extremely annoying ! Be fair and name the plugin as beta.
Well the problem is still there in the latest version (3.6.0.244) – the fix is the same as outlined above ONCE YOU REALISE THAT SKYPE IS THE PROBLEM. Why the default option (which is not even part of the main installation path!) is still to install this ‘bug’ I cannot understand.
The main crashes (IE freezes) occurred for me at the M’soft Update Site at different stages of the process and also different depending on how you start IE Update (from Start Menu or from within IE) which may explain my frustration
Aside from IE the rest of Skype is great but coming to this page at the end of December 2007 – over six months after IE issues were first reported, running the latest version (no problems with Update site until the latest version) and with MS playing around with their update site (now there is Silverlight) I’ll not be installing SkypeIEPlugIn.dll again anytime soon. Sorry guys
haber… y yo que hablo español deberie de desinstalar SKIPE…
We are running the same version of ie and Skype on three computers. The only computer that is constantly crashing in ie is the only computer with Vista. The other two have XP. Might want to investigate Vista further.
We are running the same version of ie and Skype on three computers. The only computer that is constantly crashing in ie is the only computer with Vista. The other two have XP. Might want to investigate Vista further.
We have 3 wireless Laptops with Vista (Dell, Sony, Toshiba); the problem only seems to occur with the Sony laptop. Our work around has been not to allow Skype to automatically start and to disable the IE7 add in.
OMIGOD! I am so relieved and excited to finally know what the hell this problem was that kept causing my IE7 to repeatedly restart itself. I have a brand new high-end Sony laptop with Vista Ultimate operating system, and I really thought that I was going to have to return it, because I just couldn’t figure this out. It is happening every single day I can’t even have more than one window open at a time….so frustrating, but hopefully from reading the comments on this thread, I can implement some of the solutions provided. I appreciate the efforts on the part of Skype and MicroSoft to resolve this matter.
Use FireFox will make you happy!!! too much problem with IE…..
Hi everyone, I have read with interest the comments both negative and positive about the ongoing issues with Skype. In my line of work I am often called out to many different sites, wether home, office or corporate and a common issue as stated by the team at Skype is that although they do their very best to test Skype so that you and I have a pleasant and trouble free experience with Skype, I think it’s important to remember that the total number of different variants of how computers are set up cannot be tested for 100% compatibility. That said, if you look at the total number of users of Skype, they have done a pretty good job, not only in terms of customer feedback which is sadly lacking in the majority of software and hardware cases but also in terms of their proactive approach towards working WITH you the end user and Microsoft to resolve this issue.
I have on many occasions found success with many clients to resolve their problems by employing Skyps work a rounds or updates, but not always; its then that I suggest using a different internet browser (for example Firefox “NOT AN ENDORSEMENT”) which seems to resolve the issues by uninstalling IE, it’s a last ditch approach but none the less it works and makes for a happy end user who still gets the functionality of their Skype but also a problem free experience whilst browsing the internet.
Let’s not forget that Microsoft has an active role in this and is constantly working to “fix” known issues with Internet Explorer with constant updates of one type or another.
So while it may seem an easy thing to do (fixing the problem with the Skype plug in) the issues are far more complex and I do congratulate the Skype team for the work they have done to date and there open communication with us all on this issue.
NOTE: I am in no way affiliated with or have interests with Skype in any way other than as a end user of their software. I am a computer business owner with a very active interest in how Microsoft and Skype resolve this issue for my clients.
I will be following this issue closely.
Cheers
that´s a nice one ((If you haven’t left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won’t appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.) Censorship??
OK. have had repeated crashes on IE 7 (vista ultimate) due to skype plug in, running the latest version of skype. What I have found is the following. It only crashes when loading the page gives a loading error (loaded but with faults), most of the time active content (java or whatever) is on the site to be loaded. Seems like the crashes have something to do with the above. either IE not loading correctly, or skype addin to soon with checking for numbers or skype names, or active content interfering with loading process.
Anyhow a lot of flashy websites are sloppy programmed and causing problems with loading.
The link to the 3 minute video does not work.
I decided to uninstall de IE add because , eventhough I have the latest version installed in my computer, it stills crashing all the time… If you already found a solution, please let me know.
I decided to uninstall de IE add because , eventhough I have the latest version installed in my computer, it stills crashing all the time… If you already found a solution, please let me know.
I decided to uninstall de IE add because , eventhough I have the latest version installed in my computer, it stills crashing all the time… If you already found a solution, please let me know.
I decided to uninstall de IE add because , eventhough I have the latest version installed in my computer, it stills crashing all the time… If you already found a solution, please let me know.
Last Thanksgiving, I replaced my XP with a HP Pavilion Slimline with Vista Home Premium. I used Skype on my XP with no problems; however, I have regular IE not responding errors and Microsoft points me to a Skype add-on error. I have 3.6.0.216 installed so is there anything else available to fix this? This is extremely annoying! Thank you.
I keep getting Internet Explorer (not responding) errors and this problem log is automatically generated by Microsfot.
Problem caused by Skype add-on for Internet Explorer
This problem was caused by Skype add-on for Internet Explorer. Skype add-on for Internet Explorer was created by Skype Technologies SA.
Skype Technologies SA is aware of this problem and working as quickly as possible to make a solution available.
Recommendation
——————————————————————————–
To learn more about this problem, Skype Technologies SA recommends that you go online to the following website.
Skype Technologies SA
——————————————————————————–
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I’m getting Internet Explorer – not responding errors and this problem log is automatically generated by Microsfot.
“Problem caused by Skype add-on for Internet Explorer
This problem was caused by Skype add-on for Internet Explorer. Skype add-on for Internet Explorer was created by Skype Technologies SA.
Skype Technologies SA is aware of this problem and working as quickly as possible to make a solution available.”
I have Windows Vista, and Skype 3.6.0.216
Is there something to fix it?
I have Vista and also have the crash issue, please help
I have Vista and also have the crash issue, please help
I have Vista and also have the crash issue, please help
Am I reading this correctly? Has this been going on for 7 months?!?!?! This just started for me in the last 2 weeks. I haven’t changed anything on my PC in the last 2 weeks. But I have to say it is VERY annoying! I have been using Skype for almost a year.
I am very concerned about this continuing. If I uninstall Skype, will it stop???
Thx
I was experiencing this problem with IE and, not knowing Skype was to blame, began using Mozilla Firefox instead. Haven’t had any problems since. Not a great fix, but a quick one…
Still happening in 3.6.0.244
Please stop installing your shitty IE plugin with Skype, KTHX
Still a problem with Skype 3.6.0.248 that I downloaded on Feb 28 as a new user. I am running XP Pro version 5.1.2600 service pack 2 build 2600 on a brand new Dell Latitude D830. Uninstalling the add-in solved the problem.
I installed Skype Newest version from site (360.2.4.8) on my friends Toshiba 32 bit Vista Home Premium laptop. Its brand new. Updated it fully and installed Skype. He had the same issues as described on this page. Random IE freezing, crashes, slow reactions from PC. So I installed it on my XP PRO SP2 desktop system and started having the same problems! Well, with help from this page and other research and tweaks I think I have found the solution for IE7 users on any version Windows. (1) Open Internet Explorer, (2) Click Tools tab and goto Manage Add ons click Enable or Disable Add ons, (3) It should start out in Add ons currently loaded into Internet Explorer look for All Skype Entries and make sure they are ENABLED click ok and close Internet Explorer, (4) Open Skype and goto Tools, options, advanced, advanced settings and make sure the top box (Associate Skype with callto: links on web) has a checkmark in it so its enabled. Click save and totally close Skype, (5) Open Internet explorer and in the same place you clicked tools there should be a Skype icon, if there is not click the “>>” button in that area and then click skype icon. Pull its tab down and remove Skype Add on from Internet Explorer. Follow its instructions including making sure to close all instances of Internet Explorer when it asks, Open Skype and go back to advanced settings page from step 4 and clear the check mark from the first box (Associate Skype with callto: links on web) so it knows its not being used anymore and doesnt exist, click save. There you are all done. I think my fix works around registry problems and is considered uninstalling in the right order so to speak. Take care and let me know if this helped you! Ryan Miller
solve the god damn problem because skype interfers with far too many internet programmes. Fuming and pissed off………………..
solve the god damn problem because skype interfers with far too many internet programmes. Fuming and pissed off………………..
I still have a problem with Skype 3.6.0.244 and IE 7 on WinXP SP2 (all patches applied as of 2008-03-15). Everything works fine for normal browsing, but when I want to visit the windows update page, the browser freezes and I have to kill it. It doesn’t always freeze exactly at the same loading stage, but it always ends up frozen. I disabled add-ons in IE one by one and found out that if I disable the add-on called “Skype add-on (mastermind)”, the problem goes away. Note that the other Skype add-on called “Skype” doesn’t cause a problem. Both add-ons reference “SkypeIEPlugin.exe”.
I saw a different weird behavior- whenever I closed (Alt-F4) an IE window I would get a pop-up saying IE had unexpectedly quit, then it would restart.
Go to * Tools->InternetOptions->[Programs]->[ManageAddOns] *
Look for skype and other junk. I disabled skypeIEPlugin.dll and things seem to be better. For good measure I also disabled the Yahoo and ThinkVantage junk, so it may not have been skype…
I am still experiencing this problem, even with the latest MS updates and Skype version.
The freezing up occurs when visiting sites like MS Update/Facebook etc. Many sites do not cause the feeze up.
The problem occurs on more than one computer. I just installed on a brand new laptop and found the same problem to be present. Prior to that I thought it was just my home PC needing a “clean up”
Disabling the skype add-ons does help, but I am really hoping for it to be solved.
Also I always used to wonder if MSFT used to do anything with the error reports….seems as if there is value to submitting them after all.
Thanks to Skype for all the updates on the issue.
Ravindranath Goswami
http://www.goswami.biz/
I am still experiencing this problem, even with the latest MS updates and Skype version.
The freezing up occurs when visiting sites like MS Update/Facebook etc. Many sites do not cause the feeze up.
The problem occurs on more than one computer. I just installed on a brand new laptop and found the same problem to be present. Prior to that I thought it was just my home PC needing a “clean up”
Disabling the skype add-ons does help, but I am really hoping for it to be solved.
Also I always used to wonder if MSFT used to do anything with the error reports….seems as if there is value to submitting them after all.
Thanks to Skype for all the updates on the issue.
Ravindranath Goswami
http://www.goswami.biz/
I am still experiencing this problem, even with the latest MS updates and Skype version.
The freezing up occurs when visiting sites like MS Update/Facebook etc. Many sites do not cause the feeze up.
The problem occurs on more than one computer. I just installed on a brand new laptop and found the same problem to be present. Prior to that I thought it was just my home PC needing a “clean up”
Disabling the skype add-ons does help, but I am really hoping for it to be solved.
Also I always used to wonder if MSFT used to do anything with the error reports….seems as if there is value to submitting them after all.
Thanks to Skype for all the updates on the issue.
Ravindranath Goswami
http://www.goswami.biz/
I am still experiencing this problem, even with the latest MS updates and Skype version.
The freezing up occurs when visiting sites like MS Update/Facebook etc. Many sites do not cause the feeze up.
I am still experiencing this problem, even with the latest MS updates and Skype version.
The freezing up occurs when visiting sites like MS Update/Facebook etc. Many sites do not cause the feeze up.
The problem occurs on more than one computer. I just installed on a brand new laptop and found the same problem to be present. Prior to that I thought it was just my home PC needing a “clean up”
Disabling the skype add-ons does help, but I am really hoping for it to be solved.
Also I always used to wonder if MSFT used to do anything with the error reports….seems as if there is value to submitting them after all.
Thanks to Skype for all the updates on the issue.
Ravindranath Goswami
http://www.goswami.biz/
I have no idea how the last post replicated itself….sorry folks.
The night I installed the latest version of Skype (downloaded last week), I had problems with Internet explorer not responding periodically. I didn’t load any add in’s unless they were part of the standard installation package. I’d venture to say that there is still some sort of an incompatibility between Skype and IE. I was left with no choice but to un-install Skype.
Really annoying thing. most people don’t know that it is skype that is crashing exlorer. so they go on hating IE and microsoft even more. Nice job skype but very bad practice. be good at what you do and don’t try to take over the world.
I am running Vista Premium Home 64. Running the latest Version of Skype 3.6.0.248. The problem is related to teh skype add-on (mastermind).
It is easey to reproduce the error. I am using a FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7141 (UI) Router with the latest Firmware-Version 40.04.50. if I try to run the webconsole (fritz.box) the IE crashes. (while firefox still works fine)
Disabling the mastermind skype add-on helps.
I am surprised that this issue is still not solved. Can anybody explain me what this add-on is doing anyway?
Thanks
It’s nearly a year since this problem arose and I have just experienced the problems described with a recently downloaded version of Skype (in last 2 months).
Why is this taking so long to sort out?????????
I think I may need to uninstall Skype and use something else, MSN or similar…