Microsoft Teams issues are pretty common. While Teams is definitely one of the best platforms out there for communication, collaboration, and productivity, it’s subject to the same technical problems and occasional bugs as any software.

Sometimes, issues are caused by something going wrong on Microsoft’s side. Plenty of times, people lose access to certain features or the entire app because of a fault they can’t control. However, there are also issues that you might be able to troubleshoot and fix yourself.

Since I know firsthand just how important Microsoft Teams is to keeping the workplace operating smoothly, I’ve created this guide. Here, I’ll cover some of the most common Microsoft Teams issues (and how to fix them), as well as some top tips for addressing a range of Teams problems.

The First Step: Checking if Microsoft Teams is Down

Before you waste any time troubleshooting Microsoft Teams issues, it’s worth checking if there’s an outage stopping you from using the app or certain features. If MS Teams is down, there’s probably nothing you can do but wait for the company to fix the issue itself.

There are a few ways you can check if an outage is happening:

  • Check the status of all Microsoft products on this website.
  • Use the Microsoft Teams or Microsoft 365 Admin Center to check “service health” for your apps. Log into your admin centre, click “Health”, then “Service Health”.
  • Monitor the Microsoft Teams Twitter (X) account for service issue updates, or look for the #MicrosoftTeams hashtag.

There are also plenty of handy websites out there where users can submit information about Microsoft Teams issues for others to review, like Downdetector. I’d also recommend asking your colleagues if they’re encountering the same issues as you. This should help you identify if there’s a problem with the client or your specific Teams experience.

Fixing Common Microsoft Teams Issues

Assuming Microsoft Teams appears to be working as it should (at least for most people), there are various ways to troubleshoot and fix common problems. Here are some of the most common problems I see Microsoft Teams users encountering and how you can fix them.

Problem: New Microsoft Teams Issues

The new version of Microsoft Teams is the upgraded, higher-performing version of the previous client, rebuilt from the ground up. Though this version of Teams is likely to be much better for users in the long term, some companies in the early stages of transitioning to New Teams have experienced a handful of problems. Common issues include:

  • Missing or unavailable features.
  • The app crashes when a user hits the “Create” button in the Team creation wizard.
  • Cross-Cloud Guest Access accounts don’t show on the web client.
  • Websites don’t load in the new Teams desktop
  • Video doesn’t render correctly

If you can’t find the same features you used in the classic version of Microsoft Teams, they may have changed or might be removed from the client. You can see a list of differences between the versions here. One point worth remembering is that New Microsoft Teams doesn’t support Windows notifications, so if you’re not seeing notifications on Windows, that’s probably why.

If you’re struggling with crashes or videos not loading properly, I’d recommend quitting out of the app and restarting it to refresh the client. Alternatively, speak to your administrator about the issues you’re facing or contact Microsoft directly.

Problem: New Messages and Threads Aren’t Showing

If your feed appears to be frozen in time, or you’re receiving new messages on the mobile version of Teams but not the desktop app or web version, you have a few options. If you’re using the web version of Teams, simply refresh the page.

I find I lose access to new messages when I’m automatically logged out of Teams without realising it. If you’ve been logged out, refreshing the page will prompt Microsoft to ask you to sign in again, which should fix the issue. If you’re experiencing the same Microsoft Teams issue on the desktop app, restart the app.

You can do this on Windows by right-clicking on the Teams icon in your taskbar and selecting quit. On a Mac device, right-click the icon in your dock, select “quit”, then re-open the app. If the problem persists, check your internet connection. If your connection is slow or isn’t working properly, this can stop Microsoft Teams from working correctly.

Problem: Microsoft Teams Issues with Microphones and Webcams

If your Microsoft Teams issues revolve around problems with your webcam or microphone during meetings, start by checking your hardware. Make sure everything is plugged in correctly, and make sure you have your microphone and camera options toggled “on” in your meetings.

If other applications seem to connect with your devices without a problem, but Microsoft Teams doesn’t, this could be a permissions issue. To alter permissions on a Windows computer, go to the search bar, type in “webcam”, and select “Choose which apps can access your camera”. Ensure the options for “desktop apps” and “web browsers” are switched on.

On a Mac device, click the Apple icon in the upper left of the screen, then go to “Systems Preferences” followed by “Security & Privacy.” Choose the “Camera” option, and ensure Teams and your web browser have access to your camera.

You can also change permissions on most smartphones to ensure Microsoft Teams can access your camera and microphone by going into the “Apps” or “Settings” section of your phone.

If this strategy doesn’t work, try:

  • Updating Microsoft Teams: Click the “More Options” (…) button on Teams, next to your profile icon, and select “check for updates”.
  • Checking you’re not using your devices elsewhere: Make sure you’re not already using your microphone or camera for another app.
  • Making a test call: Click the “More Options” (…) button, then click on “Settings”, then “Devices”, followed by “Make a test call”.

Problem: Unable to Create a New Team in Microsoft Teams

If you’re unable to create a new “team” in Microsoft Teams, there’s a good chance you don’t have the right permissions. Microsoft Teams administrators can all create Teams, and they can share this permission with other users. However, by default, guests, external users, and everyday team members won’t be able to create teams themselves.

If you do have administrative privileges, there’s a chance you’ve reached the “team limit” for your account. Companies can create up to 250 teams per Microsoft Teams account, although you can be part of up to 1,000 teams. In both cases, it’s a good idea to reach out to your administrators or contact Microsoft’s support team directly.

Problem: Can’t Establish a Connection to Microsoft Teams

This is one of the most common Microsoft Teams issues, and it’s usually the result of either a backend problem with the Teams software or poor internet connectivity. First, check your internet connection. Make sure you’re linked to the internet and can load pages on a web browser.

If you do have an internet connection, but Microsoft Teams isn’t loading, then check Microsoft’s Support page for information about outages. If there are no service issues that you can see, you can try some of the other tips I’ve mentioned above, such as:

  • Updating Microsoft Teams.
  • Restarting your app or computer.
  • Using the Microsoft web client instead of the desktop app.

Problem: Microsoft Teams Issues with Logging In

If you can access the app or web version of Microsoft Teams but are struggling to log in, there could be a few problems. First, make sure you’re entering the right login information. If you get a notification saying your login details are incorrect, you might need to change your password.

When your login details aren’t the problem, Microsoft might display certain codes to show you why the login process isn’t working. Here’s what each common code means:

  • 0xCAA20003:Authorization error: Check the date and time on your device is configured correctly, and consider reloading the app.
  • 0xCAA5004B: The app is experiencing an unexpected issue. Wait a minute and try again, or use the web version of the app.
  • 0xCAA82EE2:The request timed out. Check your internet connection, and make sure firewalls aren’t blocking access.
  • 0xCAA20004:Request requires approval: Make sure your organisation is complying with the configuration policies for Azure Active Directory.
  • 0xCAA82EE7:Server not resolved: Check you’re connected to the internet, and firewalls aren’t blocking access.

Problem: We Weren’t Able to Connect, Try Again

This is one of the most frustrating and common Microsoft Teams issues I encounter on a regular basis. When you load your Microsoft Teams app or web client, you might see a message telling you that the app couldn’t connect. It’ll ask you to sign in and try again.

This could just be a sign that your organisation is using a “mandatory sign out” option to ensure other people can’t gain access to your account. If that’s the case, you just need to sign into your account again. If this doesn’t work, you might need to quit out of the application completely by right-clicking the icon on your device and selecting “Quit”.

Quitting out of the app completely will clear the cache and should fix the problem. If it doesn’t, quit out again, and right-click the Start menu icon and select “Run”. Enter the %AppData%/Microsoft code, click “OK”, then right-click the Teams folder and rename it.

Next, open the Teams app and try to use it again.

Problem: Teams is Stuck in a Browser Log-in Loop

Many people experience this issue when using Microsoft Edge to access the web version of Microsoft Teams. You might log into Teams, then automatically be redirected back into the log-in page, over, and over. The most common reason for this is that your organisation is using the “Trusted Sites” security option, and hasn’t enabled access for MS Teams.

To address this problem, open Microsoft Edge, go to “Settings,” and click “Cookies and site permissions.” Choose “Manage and delete cookies and site data,” then enable the option to allow sites to save and read cookie data. Make sure the option to “block third-party cookies” is off.

Under the “Allow” section, make sure you add the following sites:

  • [*.]microsoft.com
  • [*.]microsoftonline.com
  • [*.]teams.microsoft.com

If you’re experiencing a similar problem with Google Chrome or an alternative browser, check your browser’s cookies and permissions settings. This problem can also happen when you’re using Microsoft’s Authenticator app for logging in. If you’re using the app correctly, but Teams still doesn’t load, close and re-open your web browser.

Problem: Microsoft Teams Keeps Freezing or Crashing

If your Microsoft Teams app is constantly freezing and crashing, there are a few potential fixes. One of the best ways to address the problem (and many Microsoft Teams issues) is to shut the app down completely, using the steps I’ve mentioned above.

If you can’t quit the app by right-clicking on the icon, use your task manager (Ctrl+Alt+Delete on Windows or Command+Option+Esc) on Mac to force quit the application.

Other quick fixes include making sure you’re running the latest version of Microsoft Teams or running a “troubleshooting” session via Windows. You can do this by taking the Windows+I keys on your keyboard, then clicking on “System”, “Troubleshoot”, and “Other Troubleshooters”. Scroll to “Windows Store apps” and click “Run”.

Still Having Microsoft Teams Issues?

If you’re still having Microsoft Teams issues not related to the problems I’ve mentioned above, you can still solve a range of the most common bugs in the following ways:

  • Quit (right-click on the Teams icon), or force quit (use the task manager on your device) the Microsoft Teams application, and restart the app.
  • Delete the app cache: A cluttered or corrupted cache can cause a range of issues, from crashes, to slow app operation. You can find out how to clear your cache for Microsoft Teams on any device with this guide.
  • Delete and reinstall the Microsoft Teams app. This should automatically clear the cache and remove any corrupted files causing operational issues.
  • Update to the latest version of Microsoft Teams by clicking the (…) button next to your profile and selecting “Check for Updates”.
  • Quit other background apps. Some Microsoft Teams problems occur because other apps are using all your RAM. Open your activity monitor to find the apps using the most memory and force-quit them if they’re unnecessary.
  • Set the Microsoft Teams app to open at startup. You can do this by clicking on the (…) button on your app, selecting “Settings”, and choosing the “Auto-start Teams” option.

Overcome Common MS Teams Problems

Microsoft Teams issues will always occur from time to time. Sometimes, there’s not much you can do except wait for Microsoft to fix a problem themselves. Other times, however, you might be able to fix the issue yourself with just a few basic steps.

Remember, if you regularly encounter the same problems or have an issue I haven’t mentioned here, you can always report it to Microsoft. Just click the (…) button next to your profile picture, then “Help”, followed by “Give feedback”.



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