How to Enable Screen Sharing on Skype for Ubuntu (Debian)

If you're using Ubuntu / Debian, you might face issues with screen sharing on Skype due to the default Wayland display server. This guide will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue and enable screen sharing on Skype.

Step 1: Check the Windowing System

First, let's verify the current windowing system you're using:

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).

Run the following command:
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

2. If the output is wayland, you'll need to switch to the Xorg display server.

Step 2: Change the Windowing System

To disable Wayland and ensure you use Xorg, follow these steps:

Open the custom configuration file by running:
sudo nano /etc/gdm3/custom.conf

1. Look for the line that reads:
   #WaylandEnable=false

2. Remove the # symbol to uncomment the line, changing it to:
   
   WaylandEnable=false

3. Save and exit by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and Enter.

Step 3: Reboot the System

To apply these changes, you need to reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Your system will now use the Xorg display server instead of Wayland.

Step 4: Install Skype

If you haven't installed Skype yet, follow these steps:

Open the Terminal and download the latest Skype .deb package:

wget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64.deb

1. Install Skype using the following command:
   sudo apt install ./skypeforlinux-64.deb

2. Once installed, launch Skype from your applications menu.

Step 5: Enable Screen Sharing in Skype

1. Open Skype and sign in to your account.

2. Start a video call with any contact.

3. Click on the "Share Screen" button (a screen icon with an arrow) located at the bottom-right corner of the call window.

4. Choose the screen or window you want to share and click "Start Sharing."

Step 6: Test Screen Sharing

Make a test call to ensure that screen sharing works correctly. You should now be able to share your screen without any issues.

Conclusion

By switching from Wayland to Xorg and adjusting the configuration file, you can resolve screen sharing issues on Skype for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. If you need to switch back to Wayland, simply re-enable it by editing the custom.conf file again. Enjoy seamless screen sharing on Skype!