The Teams app does not start

Is Teams already running?

Teams may be running in the background without a window.

Windows

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select every “Microsoft Teams” entry and click “End task”.
3. Start Teams again.

Mac

1. Press Option + Command + Esc.
2. Select “Microsoft Teams” and click “Force Quit”.
3. Start Teams again.

How do I fully restart Teams?

Restart the computer

A restart clears most stuck processes.

Windows

1. Save your work and restart the computer.
2. Start Teams again.

Mac

1. Save your work and restart the computer.
2. Start Teams again.

In a hurry? Use Teams in your browser

You can join meetings and read chats while we fix the app.

Windows

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Then continue with the next step.

Mac

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Safari, Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Then continue with the next step.

Install pending updates

Missing system updates can stop Teams from starting.

Windows

1. Open Settings › Windows Update and install updates.
2. Restart the computer, then start Teams.

Mac

1. Open System Settings › General › Software Update and install updates.
2. Restart the Mac, then start Teams.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings.

Repair the Teams app

Repair fixes damaged app files and keeps your settings.

Windows

1. Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps and find “Microsoft Teams”.
2. Click ⋯ › Advanced options.
3. Under “Repair” click Repair, then start Teams.

Mac

1. There is no repair option on a Mac.
2. Continue with the next step.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Windows 10: Settings › Apps › Apps & features › Microsoft Teams › Advanced options. No Repair button? The installation type does not offer it. Skip this step. On a Mac the way is: delete the cache, then reinstall.

How do I repair or reset the Teams app?

Delete the Teams cache

A damaged cache can stop Teams from starting.

Windows

1. Quit Teams (taskbar icon › Quit).
2. Press the Windows key + R, paste this path and press Enter: %userprofile%\appdata\local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams
3. Delete everything in the folder, then start Teams.

Mac

1. Quit Teams (Command + Q).
2. In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder…, enter ~/Library/Containers and move the folder “com.microsoft.teams2” to the Bin.
3. Do the same in ~/Library/Group Containers with “UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams”, then start Teams.

Your chats and files stay in your Microsoft 365 account in the cloud. Only local data is removed. The folder does not exist? Teams is installed another way: skip to the next step.

How do I delete the Teams cache?

Reset the Teams app

Not every installation offers a reset – skip this step if you do not see it.

Windows

1. Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps (the old “Programs and Features” list has no reset).
2. Find “Microsoft Teams” › ⋯ › Advanced options › Reset and confirm.
3. Start Teams and sign in again.

Mac

1. There is no reset on a Mac.
2. Continue with the next step.

Your chats and files stay in your Microsoft 365 account in the cloud. Only local data is removed. Reset deletes the local app data and settings and signs you out. No Reset button? The installation type does not offer it. Skip this step. On a Mac the way is: delete Teams and install it again.

How do I repair or reset the Teams app?

Uninstall and install Teams again

The last fix before asking IT.

Windows

1. Open Settings › Apps › Installed apps › Microsoft Teams › ⋯ › Uninstall.
2. Download Teams again from microsoft.com/teams and install it.
3. Start Teams and sign in.

Mac

1. Quit Teams, then move Teams from the Applications folder to the Bin.
2. Download Teams again from microsoft.com/teams and install it.
3. Start Teams and sign in.

On a company computer you may not be allowed to install apps. Ask IT then.

Time to ask IT for help

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