Microsoft Teams Not Loading or Signing In: Fixes That Work

If Microsoft Teams will not load or sign you in, first test the web version at teams.microsoft.com and check Microsoft’s service status. If the web version works, the desktop app is the problem, and clearing its cache or resetting it often helps. If the web version fails too, look at Microsoft’s service health or your network.

Microsoft’s own warning matters here: its article “Clear the Teams client cache” says clearing the cache is not a general first step for all Teams issues. See our live Teams status and Microsoft 365 status for recent reports.

Is Teams down for everyone?

Check in this order:

1. Open status.cloud.microsoft, Microsoft’s service status page.
2. Open our Teams status page to see whether other people report trouble.
3. Try Teams in a private browser window on the web, and on another device or network.
4. If you work for an organization, ask whether others are affected. Your IT team can check the Microsoft 365 admin center.

How admins check: Microsoft’s article “How to check Microsoft 365 service health” says to sign in to the admin center at admin.microsoft.com and go to Health then Service health. The Overview tab shows each service’s health, and the Active issues section lists incidents and advisories Microsoft is working on. An advisory means a problem affects some users but the service is still available; an incident means a critical issue where the service or a major function is unavailable. Statuses include Investigating, Service degradation, Service interruption, Restoring service, Extended recovery and Service restored. Our guide to reading status pages covers the general idea.

Why won’t Teams sign me in?

Sign-in failures come from three places: Microsoft’s sign-in service, your account, or your device. Check these:

1. Confirm you can sign in at office.com or outlook.com with the same account. If that fails, the issue is the account or Microsoft’s sign-in service.
2. Check that your device date and time are correct.
3. Quit Teams fully and restart it.
4. Try the web version. If it works, move on to the app fixes below.
5. If your organization manages your account, contact your IT team rather than resetting anything yourself.

Do not enter your Microsoft password or approve a sign-in prompt you did not start. Do not share verification codes with anyone.

How do I clear the Teams cache?

Use this only for local client problems, and note Microsoft’s caution: it does not recommend clearing the cache for missing messages, chat history not loading, a channel or team not appearing, or wrong notifications, because that deletes the diagnostic logs needed to find the cause. Restarting afterward can take longer while the cache rebuilds. Microsoft’s steps:

Version	Steps (from Microsoft Learn)
New Teams, Windows (reset)	Settings > Apps > Installed apps > search Microsoft Teams > More options (…) > Advanced options > Reset. This deletes app data, including personalization settings.
New Teams, Windows (delete files)	Quit Teams, press Windows key+R, open %userprofile%\appdata\local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams, delete all files and folders, restart Teams.
Classic Teams, Windows	Quit Teams, press Windows key+R, open %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams, delete all files and folders, restart.
macOS	Quit Teams and use the Terminal commands listed on Microsoft’s page for your version.

The full commands for macOS are on Microsoft’s page, Clear the Teams client cache. Deleting the wrong folder can remove other data, so copy paths exactly or ask IT.

What if the web version also fails?

Then the issue is not the desktop app. Test another network, as covered in works on mobile data but not Wi-Fi, turn off any VPN temporarily, and check the status pages again. If you see a DNS error in your browser, see DNS errors explained.

What if only calls or meetings fail?

If chat loads but a call or meeting will not connect, check the same status pages, then your network. A VPN, a firewall or a public Wi-Fi sign-in page can block calls while chat still works. Try another network, join from the Teams web client, and ask the organizer for another option, such as a phone dial-in from the meeting invitation. For a similar issue with another tool, see Zoom not connecting.

What should I tell IT when I report a Teams problem?

Give your IT team the time it started, the exact message on screen, the version you use (new Teams or classic Teams), whether the web version works, and whether coworkers are affected. A screenshot of the message helps, with any personal details covered. Microsoft’s cache article also explains why you should not clear the cache before reporting missing chats or channels: it deletes diagnostic logs needed to find the cause.

Bottom line

Use the web version to separate app problems from service problems. Check Microsoft’s status page, and for work accounts ask IT to look at Service health. Clear the cache only for local app faults.

FAQ

Will clearing the Teams cache delete my chats?

Microsoft’s article notes that cache clearing is not meant for missing chats, and chats live in your account rather than on your device. Resetting the new Teams app deletes local app data and personalization settings.

Do I need to be an admin to see Microsoft 365 service health?

Yes, for the admin center page. Microsoft says people assigned the Service Support admin and Helpdesk admin roles can view it. Everyone can use the public status page.

Why does Teams work in a browser but not the app?

That points to local app data or a damaged install. Update the app, restart it, then use Microsoft’s cache or reset steps above.