[Guide] How To Fix Microsoft Teams Not Loading Or Opening

[Guide] How To Fix Microsoft Teams Not Loading Or Opening

/ James Masterson

Microsoft Teams has become essential for remote teams to stay connected and collaborate seamlessly. However, users may sometimes experience an issue where the platform fails to load or open, which can be disruptive. This problem can occur for various reasons, but the good news is that it is fixable.

In this article, we’ll explore why Microsoft Teams is not loading or opening issues and provide practical solutions to help you get back to work in no time.

What Causes MS Teams Not to Load or Open?

Microsoft Teams loading error can be due to various reasons. Understanding the root cause of the issue is the first step toward finding a solution. Here are some possible causes of Microsoft Teams not loading or opening issue:

  • Internet connectivity problems: Poor internet connectivity or network congestion can prevent Microsoft Teams from loading or opening.
  • Outdated software: If your Microsoft Teams app or operating system is outdated, it may not function correctly, leading to the loading or opening issue.
  • Third-party app conflicts: Conflicts with other third-party apps or antivirus software on your device may interfere with the Microsoft Teams app’s functionality.
  • Corrupt installation files: Damaged or corrupt Microsoft Teams installation files can prevent the app from launching correctly.
  • Authentication problems: Microsoft Teams may not load or open if there is an issue with the authentication process or the user’s account credentials are incorrect.
  • Server issues: Occasionally, Microsoft Teams may experience server issues that prevent the app from loading or opening.

11 Fixes to Solve Microsoft Teams Won’t Open Error

Fix 1. Check if Microsoft Teams Is Down

microsoft teams socials

In the event of a server-side issue, Microsoft Teams may fail to load on your computer. To ensure that the Teams app is not the cause of the problem, it’s recommended that you check the Microsoft Teams service status page before troubleshooting or visit their official Twitter account to check the software’s working status. By doing so, you can determine whether server problems cause the issue, and you may need to wait for Microsoft to resolve the issue on their end.

Fix 2. Restart the Microsoft Teams App

It’s possible that temporary technical issues with the Microsoft Teams app can cause its graphical interface to fail to load on Windows. However, if the issue is minor, a simple app restart can resolve the problem. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard or use one of the many ways to open Task Manager on Windows.

2. In the Processes tab, locate Microsoft Teams.

3. Right-click on it and select End task from the context menu.

end microsoft team process

4. Close Microsoft Teams using Task Manager.

Fix 3. Clear the Microsoft Teams Cache

Microsoft Teams collects cache data on your computer like other apps to enhance performance. However, this data may become corrupt over time and cause Microsoft Teams to fail to launch on your device.

Thankfully, removing Microsoft Teams cache data on Windows is straightforward and safe. Follow these steps to do so:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Copy and paste the following path in the text box and click OK: %appdata%\Microsoft\teams
  3. Press Ctrl + A to select all the files and folders inside the Teams folder.
  4. Click the trash icon located at the top to delete them.
delete microsoft teams appdata

5. Close File Explorer and restart your computer. Once the restart is complete, try to relaunch Microsoft Teams.

Fix 4. Run the Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

The Windows Store Apps troubleshooter is an integrated utility that can assist you in resolving common problems with Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps like Microsoft Teams. If you’re experiencing difficulties with the Teams app, you can attempt to use this troubleshooter to resolve the issue.

To run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter:

  1. Right-click the Start icon and select Settings from the list.
windows settings via taskbar

2. Navigate to System > Troubleshoot.

3. Choose Other troubleshooters.

4. Click “Run” located next to Windows Store Apps.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooting, and then check whether the Teams app is now functioning correctly on Windows.

Fix 5. Repair or Reset Microsoft Teams App

If the troubleshooter fails to identify any problem, use Windows’ in-built repair tool to fix the Microsoft Teams app. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Click Start > click the gear icon to launch the Settings app.
open windows settings

2. Switch to the Apps tab using the left pane.

3. Select Installed apps.

4. Scroll through the list or use the search tool to locate the Microsoft Teams app. Then, click the three-dot menu icon next to it and select Advanced options.

uninstall microsoft teams

5. Scroll down until you reach the Reset section > click the Repair button.

6. Windows will repair the app and display a checkmark once the process is complete.

Fix 6. Delete MS Teams Credentials Files

The Credential Manager is a tool for managing login credentials for different applications and services. Here’s how you can delete its files:

  1. On the Start menu, search for “Credential Manager.”
credential manager

2. Select “Windows Credentials” in Credential Manager.

web and windows credentials

3. Remove the “msteams_adalsso/adal_context_0” and “msteams_adalsso/adal_context_1” files.

msteams adalsso

4. Relaunch Microsoft Teams.

Fix 7. Reinstall the Microsoft Teams App

If you’re using an outdated version of Microsoft Teams on Windows, it can lead to malfunctions. To fix this issue, reinstalling the Teams app can help by updating it and fixing any app file corruption.

To reinstall Microsoft Teams on your Windows computer, follow these steps:

  1. Use Windows search and type “Microsoft Teams”.

2. From the right pane, select “Uninstall”.

3. Click on “Uninstall” to confirm.

uninstall microsoft teams via taskbar

4. After removing the app, go to the Microsoft Teams download page and reinstall the Teams app.

Fix 8. Check Your Computer for Corrupt Files

If you’re having trouble launching Microsoft Teams on Windows, one possible cause could be corrupted or missing system files. Fortunately, Windows has a built-in tool called System File Checker (SFC) that can help you identify and repair these files.

  1. Right-click on the Start icon to access the Power User menu.
  2. Choose Terminal (Admin) from the list.
  3. Select Yes when prompted by the User Account Control (UAC).
  4. In the console, type the command “sfc /scannow” and press Enter to run the SFC scan.
  5. Wait until the scan is completed, then restart your PC.
  6. Relaunch the Teams app to check if the problem has been resolved.
sfc scannow

Fix 9. Scan for Malware

Follow these steps to scan your computer for malware using Windows Security:

  1. The search bar opens the Windows Security app > Virus and Threat.
  2. Click Scan options > Full Scan > Scan now
  3. Allow the app to perform a thorough scan of your computer’s files.
  4. If any threats are detected, take the necessary steps to remove them from your computer.
select full scan and start

Fix 10. End the Microsoft Teams Process

If you still have issues with Microsoft Teams on Windows, you can kill the Teams task in the Task Manager and then restart it. Here’s how:

  1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, select any Microsoft Teams processes running.
  3. Click the End Task button at the bottom right corner of the window to terminate the process.
end microsoft team process

Fix 11. Run MS Teams Application in Compatibility Mode

You can try running the application in compatibility mode to resolve compatibility issues between the MS Teams desktop client and Windows 10 build version. Follow these steps:

  1. Right-click on Microsoft Teams.exe and select Properties.
  2. Click on the Compatibility tab.
  3. Check the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode.”
  4. Select your Windows version from the list of available operating systems.
  5. Click on Apply and then on OK.
  6. Restart your PC.
  7. Launch Microsoft Teams to see if the problem has been fixed.

Troubleshooting Microsoft Teams Loading and Opening Issues

Microsoft Teams not loading or opening is fixable. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can get back to using Microsoft Teams and collaborating with your team members in no time! Don’t forget to check out other tech blogs from our site!

James Masterson
Meet the author

James is a software engineer and an information architect with a keen eye for detail. Among his key interests are enhancing the usability of our Windows 10 content, troubleshooting errors, and tech news.