Skype Dialpad can be very unreliable

Skype is used regularly by about 20 Million users these days,  yet even with all that user base,  the implemetation of the DTMF dial tones remains a mystery.  Those people that use it regularly for entering pin codes for conference calls,  or working your way through the maze of call centre’s “dial zero for this”,  “press 1 for that”,  will no doubt be more than familar with problems with DTMF dial tones with Skype.    At best it’s unreliable,  at worst it is extremely annoying.   

However, the answer to fixing the problem with DTMF dial tones on Skype is actually the easiest thing in the world to fix. 

The problem with the DTMF dial tones on Skype is simply the way it has been implemented.  In a nutshell,  when you hit the keys on the dial pad it simply plays the monotone sound through the PC speaker which is then picked up by the PC speaker.  As simple as this sounds,  it does make the DTMF dial tones extremely unreliable. 

The biggest problem with the DTMF tones in Skype is the fact that when they are played through the PC they are subject to varying levels of distortion.  This is caused by either the PC speakers which don’t create the tones true enough to the internationally accepted standard,   or that the microphone is either too far away or to close the speaker.

The simple fix to the problem of DTMF dial tones not working with Skype is to turn down the volume from the speakers when you’re using the DTMF dialpad.   This has a massive effect on reliablility,  and since adopting this technique there is a marked improvement when inputing the tones.  This is especially effective when using the DTMF dialpad with a laptop where the speaker,  and microphone are generally close together and usually of questionable quality.   Turning the volume down a notch or two helps to reduce the distortion and vibration,  which in turn means the DTMF tones are correctly interpreted by the automated system on the other end of the line.

So,  two things you need to do to correct the problem with the DTMF dial tones in Skype:

1) Keep reducing the volume when the dial tones are played until the point where you get near 100% reliability

2) If you have a standalone microphone,  adjust the distance between it and the speaker until you get near 100% reliablity.

Follow these simple techniques and your problems with DTMF dial tones with be a thing of the past.  You can always turn the volume up after you’ve entered the tones,  but it’s recommended that you find a volume level that works for you, and always use it when entering the DTMF dial tones.

What are your experiences with the Skype Dial Tones and Dial Keypad?