Skype Outage

August 16, 2007
Skype outageSkype is experiencing a major outage. My fellow TMC co-workers noticed it late Wednesday when they couldn't IM fellow co-workers. TMC's Dave Rodrqiguez told me that he went home for the day, signed into Skype from home and was bombarded with a ton of Skype IM messages that didn't go through earlier. I checked Skype's home page but no mention there. I headed over the the Skype heartbeat page and found that that there are indeed experiencing an outage that is still happening today (Thursday). Skype claims the outage is due to a software issue. Many TMCers are upset they can't IM their fellow coworkers and their outside clients. Amazing how dependent we're become on Skype for our business.

Some users are able to connect to the Skype network but then are quickly disconnected just minutes later. According to Skype, "We expect this to be resolved within 12 to 24 hours.” This has to be the longest Skype outage ever.

I'll find out more about the outage and post the details later. Some theories are floating around that the major Microsoft updates (Patch Tuesday) that were released yesterday could have something to do with the Skype outage. My Windows Vista PC had like 6 new patches yesterday. I believe Windows XP also had a ton of patches yesterday as well. Since Skype is a P2P network that relies on other peers for the network to function properly, it's possible a Microsoft update is causing a conflict. [more explanation of this theory in the comments section]

Update:
Andy has some thoughts on the Skype outage. He claims its the login authentication that is failing. Those that are in stay in and those trying to sign in can't get in. I did notice that with some of TMC's Skype clients, however some were able to sign in and then got booted off the Skype network.

Update 2:
I just remembered the relatively short outage that Skype had in 2004 due to a DNS problem. I wrote about it here: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/skype/skype-down.asp.

Update 3: (Monday August 20th)
It would appear the cause of the Skype outage was indeed the Windows Update patches as I had theorized earlier. Lucky guess I suppose. Maybe I should play Lotto this week. Anyway, go read the article for more details.

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Comments to Skype Outage


  1. Manuel :
    August 16, 2007 10:35 AM

    We had a call with India this morning and the problem is on both sides US and India. Yahoo! IM is working...just in case someone needs a backup!


  1. Sanjin :
    August 16, 2007 10:44 AM

    Just wanted to say - this outage has probably nothing to do with Windows Update... I am using XP and I haven't downloaded any patches for some two or three weeks.
    Nevertheless, I am experiencing problems connecting to Skype even as we speak...


  1. utahsowle :
    August 16, 2007 10:54 AM

    I've been using Skype for business purpose and have had no problem. No IM here but great service as far as calls go. Forget about the VoIP (SunRocket, Vonage) experience, I'll stick with Skype.
    Scott


  1. David Gilroy :
    August 16, 2007 10:56 AM

    I downloaded the MS XP updates this morning, and immediately afterwards could not connect to Skype. And still cannot.

    Regs....David.

    Websites, marketing and intranets for law firms.


  1. Andre :
    August 16, 2007 11:15 AM

    Hi, I do not agree with Andy's opinion. I have loged in this morning and am constantly having outages. In the times I come in I see that only a few of my contacts are online... - It is very annoying since I use skype for business and I especially miss the skypeIN......

    Regards
    André


  1. ab :
    August 16, 2007 11:27 AM

    I did not run any windows upgrade issue and am using XP - but still not able to connect.


  1. laurent :
    August 16, 2007 11:29 AM

    I am on Mac and also experienced this outage last night. I downloaded the beta 2.7 today and still have the same issue. I am glad I am not alone but it is scary as I rely heavily on skype for my work.


  1. Al :
    August 16, 2007 11:32 AM

    it's been up and (more often) down all day. I thought it was my Philips handset at first.

    Can't even log in to redirect my SkypeIn no.

    aaaah


  1. PESB :
    August 16, 2007 11:58 AM

    IT'S NOT A SIGN IN ISSUE AS I WAS ON IT ALL NIGHT LONG AND IT COMES UP AND DROPS BACK OFF. THINK THAT MICROSOFT MAY HAVE IMPOSED NEW RESTRICTIONS THROUGH UPDATES AS SUGGESTED. HAPPENED BEFORE. MAYBE THEY ARE TRYING TO PLATFORM TO COMPETE.


  1. Court Kizer :
    August 16, 2007 12:00 PM

    The Skype outage is definitely not related to Windows. The outage affects Mac OS X as well. Yesterday 2.7beta was released for OS X, but even with the older version we can't sign on.


  1. UD :
    August 16, 2007 12:10 PM

    ...hmmm interesting, and I have a machine with win2k that also got a MS push and it has Skype as well...not working, of course.


  1. Dirk :
    August 16, 2007 12:26 PM

    I'd say its much more likely that the outage has something to do with the Skype super nodes, which constitute the backbone in the overlay network to some degree.


  1. Dan York :
    August 16, 2007 12:27 PM

    Tom,

    I am on Windows XP but have NOT downloaded/installed the new Windows updates yet - and Skype is out for me as well. So I don't think there's any linkage, at least on a local level, to the Windows updates.

    My bet is on the "planned maintenance" which happened last night (the 15th). Perhaps something in their updates wound up not quite working right (or having unintended consequences).

    It will be interesting to see what Skype says about this when it is all over.

    Dan


  1. Fabian :
    August 16, 2007 12:39 PM

    I'm using a mac and OSx and my skype is also not working. So I'm doubting that Microsoft is at fault this time.wink


  1. Tom Keating[TypeKey Profile Page] :
    August 16, 2007 1:12 PM

    The theory about Microsoft updates causing the Skype problem didn't mean other operating systems weren't affected, such as the Mac.

    The theory was that a Microsoft update somehow changed the TCP stack or changed how the Microsoft operating system interacted with Skype. Let's assume the vast majority of Windows users set their patch to auto-install. Then let's assume Skype is 80-90% Windows users. That means that a lot of Windows users installed the patch last night and lots of Windows supernodes could be knocked offline.

    The side effect would be that without enough Windows supernodes, Mac users would be booted as well. Though you'd think the network would be flexible enough to handle millions of Windows users knocked offline.

    Again, this was just a theory. It more likely has to do with something Skype is doing on their network.


  1. frank mashico :
    August 16, 2007 1:45 PM

    Well, it seems that Skype is having a Global issue. I am in Guatemala trying to reach my girlfriend in Germany but she just called me on the phone saying her Skype is down also.


  1. tom :
    August 16, 2007 1:58 PM

    Ridiculous. Need to migrate to other applications!!! This cannot be happening!


  1. Jeff :
    August 16, 2007 2:17 PM

    This is killing me. I need some kind of service for calls. Anyone have a recommendation? Jangl? Jaja? Jakster?

    Thanks.


  1. tsmos :
    August 16, 2007 2:27 PM

    Did anyone consider the possibility that the new skype for iPhone could have caused this outage?


  1. Gwynne :
    August 16, 2007 2:32 PM

    It's nothing to do with MS updates, I have both Mac and Windows boxes here all of them are affected by this problem


  1. John Cardona :
    August 16, 2007 2:39 PM

    >>It's nothing to do with MS updates,

    As Tom explained, the theory was that Patch Tuesday - big Microsoft patches released 2nd Tuesday of every month - might have affected the number of Windows supernodes.

    If enough supernodes go down, it could collapse the entire P2P (peer to peer) network which would affect ALL operating systems.

    It's a perfectly plausible thesory. But I do think it is more likely Skype did something to their network.

    It'll be interesting to see what they say as to the cause.


  1. Luigi :
    August 16, 2007 2:59 PM

    Yes, this seems to be a global outage as it is also occurring in Mexico all day long (Thursday 16th). Wow, I can see that Skype has become a very important tool for so many of us in the whole world.


  1. jhs :
    August 16, 2007 3:06 PM

    I am in Guatemala, desperately need to call my husband in AK. the phone here doesn't work, i need skype! I have Mac OSX and Skype's been down all day today.


  1. Christian :
    August 16, 2007 3:11 PM

    tsmos - iPhone for Skype isn't really an option right now. There appear to be workarounds, as reported on this blog, but I can't imagine that there would be enough people (more than a handful?) doing it. If THAT brought the system down then...well, the system needs fixing.


  1. Luis :
    August 16, 2007 3:16 PM

    For a moment I though that it was an internal firewall problem. I had to switch to Gizmo Project to make my calls out.

    Shame...


  1. Mario :
    August 16, 2007 3:46 PM

    This is global. I am in Chile. Skype is not working since yesterday...
    Mario


  1. Cristian Streng :
    August 16, 2007 3:54 PM

    There is a chance this could be caused by patch Tuesday... I had the routing & remote access service set on automatic in windows XP, and it no longer starts (gives an error) after installing the latest updates. This proves there were some changes to the TCP/IP stack and some of them may affect Skype functionality.


  1. tsmos :
    August 16, 2007 4:36 PM

    I was referring to this:http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-13-2007/0004644404&EDATE


  1. Pascal :
    August 16, 2007 4:37 PM

    I think that this is discracful. There should have been measures in place for such incidents. Skype is a big player now with large revenues. They have not even changed the message on their homepage for 7 hours. Anybody who has had to deal with Skype support will agree with me.


  1. jdcrunchman :
    August 16, 2007 4:37 PM

    I also noticed that when you go into the preferences menu, the "Call" and "SMS" tabs are disabled.

    I thought it might have been my fault, but glad I checked with others, because i didn't want to tear my network apart thinking is was something I did.

    JD


  1. Thomas :
    August 16, 2007 4:41 PM

    Do anyone use VoipBuster. Isn't / wasn't it a Skype clone? It look identical at the first release. Isn't this network build in the same way as Skype. VoipBuster is running. Shouldn't this network also be down, if this really is caused by supernote failure/Microsoft patches.
    And what about all other P-2-P networks? Is Skype really that different?
    By the way, VoipBuster is running, in case anyone needs to call. ICQ is also running, so why not make your calls in ICQ. It is like seeing an old friend again.


  1. dinther :
    August 16, 2007 4:53 PM

    Glad to read it is not my PC. I happend to just install software for a new web-cap to be used for Skype when the outage started to happen.

    Heeeelp, I can't talk to our world wide distributed network of programmers. I'm in New Zealand and Skype cuts in and out randomly.

    I have been thinking about dumping my telco in favour for skype but I can't have the telephone network down for 24 hours. Way too long.

    If Skype is serious about telecommunication they will need to improve their processes.


  1. tom :
    August 16, 2007 5:13 PM

    Could you reccomend any other VoIP applications that could be used instead of Skype? I am really disappointed with the fact that they have been silently increasing charges of skypeout calls on one hand and on the other - with today's breakdown.
    I would be happy to change this provider.
    grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!


  1. Lausch :
    August 16, 2007 7:06 PM

    since skype have too much money the quality is lost...


  1. tsmos :
    August 16, 2007 9:11 PM

    my Skype's back online (6:10PM in CA)


  1. Rob :
    August 16, 2007 9:26 PM

    I doubt it's a Windoze patch, I'm running Ubuntu Linux and it's affected too. I think it had something to do with the maintenance from last night (when the network first dropped off).

    Update from last night: "...UPDATE: The planned maintenance was completed at 15.08.2007 7:10 GMT and now all systems work normally again."

    http://heartbeat.skype.com/?_a=announcements


  1. cent9ur :
    August 17, 2007 1:36 AM

    Doesn't anyone find it odd that a software error in all versions of skype has surfaced after 3 years?


  1. Guggi :
    August 17, 2007 3:42 AM

    Open Source alternative!!!

    http://www.wengophone.com/


  1. ada :
    August 17, 2007 5:31 AM

    Great that there are other great alternatives to Skype like www.jajah.coma nd www.zoippe.com


  1. Paul :
    August 17, 2007 10:16 AM

    Still out |(

    use yahyah.com or gizmo for the time being....


  1. infinity005 :
    August 17, 2007 12:19 PM

    I know of a network that was DOSed yesterday because of the Skype clients receiving too much UDP traffic.

    A good amount of money was lost before the problem was identified. Now management wants to BAN Skype!


  1. Conficio :
    August 17, 2007 12:50 PM

    Next day noon and I just updated my Skype version to the latest.

    The network shows three buddies are "online with call forwarding", none is online straight and I can't get my status set to online.

    I'm really disappointed. Afterall, I'm a paying customer of Skype out.

    K


  1. Thomas :
    August 17, 2007 1:57 PM

    I installed Skype v1.4.0.84 and got online again. I also tried 2.090, but it didn't work.
    If you install this old vesion, let me know if you succeded. You need to have your password at hand, because you "downgrade". This tip is not for people who don't know what they are doing!! Don't blame me, I gave you a warningwink

    You can find old Skype installs at FileHippo:
    http://www.filehippo.com/download_skype/?489


  1. Philip Robertson :
    August 17, 2007 1:59 PM

    We are in the same business as Skype, and sympathize with the challenges that are a nature of the online communication business. At ooVoo we work hard to mitigate the challenges of dropped service in order to maintain ooVoo’s free high quality video and audio communication. We respect the way Skype has responded quickly to inform its many customers about changes to the service and attempts to correct the outage of service.

    Best,

    Philip Robertson
    ooVoo.


  1. Sam Sequi :
    August 17, 2007 5:07 PM

    Hello Ladies and Gents.

    Skype seems to be up and running now. To make it work you should download the new version 3.5.0.214 posted on their website a few minutes ago.

    For the techies, here is a link explaining what -- supposingly -- has been happening:

    http://voipguides.blogspot.com/2007/08/skype-outage-special-update.html


  1. Vic Okezie :
    August 20, 2007 4:58 AM

    Seems that Tom was right after all. Skype has just said that a software update by users globally caused the disruption, as computers were rebooted 'almost' simultenously with a massive log in requests.


  1. Chris Abraham :
    January 10, 2008 10:33 PM

    Let me offer you an alternative to Skype. Outages! Well, let me suggest a back up plan: ooVoo, http://www.oovoo.com

    I work for ooVoo and I just wanted to bring them to your attention so that you can try it out and keep it installed so that if you suffer another outage, we got you covered!

    And, ooVoo is working on a Mac version and here's a sneak preview, http://oovoomac.smnr.us


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