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.
