Fix Skype for Business Couldn't Find a Server

Skype for Business is an excellent collaboration tool. Employees can use it to send text messages, start audio and video calls, share files, and so on.

When a business tool does not work as intended, IT admins need to fix the problem as soon as possible. After all, time is money.

If you keep on getting an error message saying Skype could not find a Skype for Business server for your domain, here are a few suggestions to fix the issue.

The error message usually reads as follows:

Skype for Business couldn’t find a Skype for Business Server for DOMAIN.com. There might be an issue with the Domain Name System configuration for your domain. See KB2566790 for details and contact your system admin

Fix Skype for Business Couldn’t Find a Skype for Business Server

Add the DNS Records for the Domain

One of the most common causes of this error is missing Skype or Lync DNS records for the respective domain. Try adding the correct DNS entries, and save the changes.

Make sure the following service (SRV) and alias (CNAME) records have been added to your DNS host:

SRV records

First batch

Type: SRV
Service _sip _
Protocol: tls
Port: 443
Weight: 1
Priority: 100
TTL: 1 hour
Name: <DomainName>
Target: sipdir.online.lync.com

Second batch

Type: SRV
Service _sipfederationtls _
Protocol: tcp
Port: 5061
Weight: 1
Priority: 100
TTL: 1 hour
Name: <DomainName>
Target: sipfed.online.lync.com

CNAME records

First batch

Type: CNAME
Host Name: sip.<DomainName>
Destination sipdir.online.lync.com
TTL:1 hour

Second batch

Type: CNAME
Host Name: lyncdiscover.<DomainName>
Destination: webdir.online.lync.com
TTL:1 hour

Wait five minutes for the changes to take full effect and propagate over the network. You can then try to log in again.

For more information, see Troubleshooting Skype for Business Online DNS configuration issues in Office 365.

Disable or Uninstall Your Antivirus and VPN

Many users suggested that disabling or even uninstalling your antivirus and VPN may fix this SFB login issue.

It seems that antivirus programs and VPNs sometimes interfere with the Skype for Business login process. It appears this is because Skype for Business already encrypts your data, and login conflicts may potentially occur.

Test Your Connection

An Internet connection that’s not stable or fails to provide you with enough bandwidth may also prevent you from logging in to Skype for Business.

Use the Remote Connectivity Test to assess your remote connectivity to Skype for Business’ servers.

Here are a few quick tips to improve your connection:

Use a cable connection instead of a wireless connection.
Disable any video streaming programs that may be running on your device.
Disconnect other devices using the same network.

Clear the Cache

Close Skype for Business.
Press the Windows and R keys to open a new Run window.
Enter the following path in the Run window: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Lync
Next, locate and delete the folder that begins with sip_
Locate the Tracing folder and open it.
Delete all the files stored there but keep the Tracing folder itself.
Launch Command Prompt (administrator).
Then run the ipconfig /flushdns command and press Enter.
Restart your computer and try to log in to Skype for Business again.

Repair Office

Repairing Office is another potential solution for fixing this Skype for Business issue.

Open the Control Panel.
Then go to Programs.
Select Programs and features.
Then select Office 365 or Microsoft 365.
Click on the Change button.
A new window will appear on the screen. First, select Quick Repair.
If the Quick Repair option did not solve the problem, select Online Repair.
Restart your computer and launch Skype for Business again to check if the issue is gone.