Apps · Repair guide

How to fix Microsoft Teams not working

9 fixes, easiest first3 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Fully quit Teams by right-clicking its taskbar icon and choosing Quit, then reopen it and install any update it offers. If it still won't load, try Teams on the web in your browser; if that works, reset the Teams app on your PC.

What it means

When Teams won't open, sits on the loading screen or stops responding, the cause is usually a temporary Microsoft service problem, a weak or blocked internet connection, a sign-in glitch or damaged files in the app's local cache. The current Teams app (sometimes called new Teams) stores its cache in a different place from the old classic Teams, so older cache-clearing guides may not work.

Common causes

  • A temporary Microsoft 365 or Teams service outage
  • No internet, or a VPN or network that blocks Teams
  • A stuck sign-in or expired session
  • An out-of-date Teams app or Windows
  • Damaged files in the Teams cache
  • A broken Teams installation

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Check whether Teams is down for everyoneEasy

  1. Open a few websites in your browser to confirm your internet works.
  2. Check Microsoft's official Microsoft 365 Status account on X (@MSFT365Status) for any reported Teams problems.
  3. If you use Teams at work or school, ask a coworker or your IT team whether Teams is working for them.
  4. If there is an outage, wait for Microsoft to fix it; nothing on your PC needs changing.

Why it helps: If Microsoft's service is down, no fix on your computer will help until it comes back.

02Fully quit Teams and open it againEasy

  1. Right-click the Teams icon on the taskbar (or in the hidden icons area next to the clock) and select Quit.
  2. On a Mac, right-click Teams in the Dock and choose Quit, or press Command + Q while Teams is open.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then open Teams again from the Start menu or Applications folder.
  4. If Teams still won't open, restart the computer and try once more.

Why it helps: Closing the window often leaves Teams running in the background; quitting it clears a stuck session.

03Update Teams and your computerEasy

  1. If Teams opens, look for an update notice at the top of the window.
  2. If one is shown, select Update, then Update and restart Teams. Teams closes, updates and reopens.
  3. On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates; install everything and restart.
  4. On a Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.

Why it helps: Teams normally updates itself while idle; an old version can fail to load or sign in.

04Sign out of Teams and sign back inEasy

  1. Select your profile picture at the top right of Teams.
  2. Select Sign out and confirm.
  3. Open Teams again and sign in with your work, school or personal Microsoft account email and password.
  4. If you have more than one account, make sure you pick the right one.

Why it helps: A fresh sign-in replaces an expired or stuck session that can leave Teams spinning.

05Try Teams on the webEasy

  1. Open Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome and go to teams.microsoft.com.
  2. Sign in with the same account you use in the app.
  3. If Teams works in the browser, the problem is with the app on your computer; continue with the fixes below.
  4. If it fails in the browser too, turn off any ad blocker for that site and check your connection.

Why it helps: The web version is always up to date and tells you whether the problem is your account, your network or the installed app.

06If you use a VPN, turn it off and onEasy

  1. Disconnect from your VPN.
  2. Quit Teams and open it again.
  3. If Teams loads, reconnect the VPN and test again.
  4. If Teams only fails on the VPN, tell your IT team, since the VPN may need to allow Teams traffic.

Why it helps: Microsoft lists VPNs as a common reason Teams cannot connect or reconnect.

07Clear the Teams cache on Windows 11Medium

  1. Right-click the Teams icon on the taskbar and select Quit.
  2. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
  3. Type %userprofile%\appdata\local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams and press Enter.
  4. Select everything in that folder and delete it. Your chats, files and teams are stored online and are not lost.
  5. Open Teams again. The first start can take longer while it rebuilds the cache.
  6. Older guides that use %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams are for classic Teams and do not work on the current app.

Why it helps: Damaged cache files are a frequent cause of Teams freezing on the loading screen.

08Reset the Teams app on Windows 11MediumResets settings

  1. Note: resetting deletes the app's local data, including your personal Teams settings such as theme and notification choices. Messages and files stay in your account.
  2. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and type Teams in the search box.
  3. Next to Microsoft Teams, select More options (...) and choose Advanced options.
  4. Scroll to the Reset section and select Reset.
  5. Open Teams and sign in again.

Why it helps: Reset puts the app back to a clean state, which fixes most loading problems the cache clear doesn't.

09Uninstall and reinstall TeamsAdvancedResets settings

  1. Warning: reinstalling removes your local Teams settings. Make sure you know your sign-in email and password first. On a work PC, ask IT before removing apps.
  2. Quit Teams from the taskbar icon.
  3. On Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft Teams, select More options (...) and choose Uninstall.
  4. On a Mac, quit Teams, open the Applications folder and drag Microsoft Teams to the Trash.
  5. Restart the computer, then download Teams again from Microsoft's official Teams download page and install it.
  6. Sign in and check that it loads.

Why it helps: A fresh install replaces any damaged program files that a reset cannot repair.

Check it's fixed

  • Teams opens past the loading screen and shows your chats and teams.
  • New messages arrive and you can send a test message.
  • Teams still opens normally after a full restart of the computer.

When to get help

If Teams fails on the web and the app, or only on your work network, contact your IT department, since your account, licence or network rules may need fixing. Home users with a personal account can contact Microsoft Support.

Questions

Will clearing the Teams cache delete my chats?

No. Chats, files and teams are stored in your Microsoft account online. Clearing the cache only removes local copies, so Teams may take longer to start the first time.

Why is Teams stuck on the loading screen?

The most common reasons are a stuck background process, an expired sign-in, a network or VPN block, or damaged cache files. Quitting fully, signing out and in, and clearing the cache fix most cases.

Is there still a classic Teams?

No. Classic Teams has been retired and the current app is simply called Microsoft Teams. Fixes that mention the old %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams folder are for classic Teams.

Teams works on my phone but not my PC. Why?

That usually means your account and the service are fine and the problem is on the computer. Try Teams on the web, then clear the cache or reset the app.

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