Launched in 2017, Microsoft Teams is a unified communication and collaboration platform designed to help businesses and organizations increase productivity. Leveraging Microsoft’s expertise in Office software, Teams offers an integrated experience with Office 365 and Skype for Business. However, like any software, Teams can encounter various issues that may require troubleshooting.
As heavy Teams users at Digital Trends, we have encountered and solved several common problems over the years. If you’re experiencing any Microsoft Teams issues, you’re in the right place. Here’s how to fix some of the most common problems.
If you also use Zoom and encounter issues, there are solutions for those too.
How to check if Microsoft Teams is down
If you suspect that Microsoft Teams is not working properly, you should first check if there are any reported service outages. You can do this by visiting the official Microsoft 365 Status page or the Microsoft 365 Status Twitter account. Additionally, monitoring the official Microsoft Teams Twitter account or searching for the #MicrosoftTeams hashtag can provide useful updates.
When multiple users report issues with Teams on social media or platforms like Downdetector, it’s best to wait for Microsoft to resolve the issue rather than attempting extensive troubleshooting on your end.
Surveying your colleagues to see if they’ve experienced similar issues can also provide valuable insights in determining if the problem is widespread across your organization.
Bug: Teams only shows older messages and threads
If you encounter issues with Teams, such as not receiving the latest messages or threads, try restarting the application. On Windows, look for the Teams icon in the taskbar, right-click it, and select “Quit”. On MacOS, right-click the Teams icon in your Dock and choose “Quit”. After quitting, reopen the application to see if the problem has been resolved.
It’s also a good idea to check your internet connection and try using the web version of Microsoft Teams if the app is misbehaving.
Problem: Microphone or webcam refuses to work correctly
To address issues with your microphone or webcam, ensure that your hardware is connected properly and that permissions are enabled for Teams. If you’re running the latest Windows or MacOS updates, updating Teams and checking your internet connection is also recommended.
If you encounter difficulty in using the camera due to other apps using it, close those apps and conduct a test call within Teams to ensure that the issue is resolved.
Problem: You are unable to create a new team in Microsoft Teams
If you’re unable to create a new team, consider reaching out to your system administrator to check if there are any restrictions in place. It’s also important to consult your organization’s support channels for assistance in resolving the issue.
Problem: Removed user shows as ‘Unknown User’ in Teams
Microsoft is aware of this issue and is working on a solution. In the meantime, you may continue to experience the problem when using Teams.
Problem: Unable to establish a connection to Microsoft Teams
If you’re having trouble accessing Teams, ensure that your device can access other networks or internet content. Updating the Teams app and trying to access it through the web client are also valuable troubleshooting steps.
Question: Teams audio not working with Android Auto
Users have reported audio issues with Android Auto but thorough troubleshooting seems to suggest that the problem lies on Microsoft’s side.
If you’re experiencing this issue, consider updating to the latest version of Android Auto or using alternative audio options until a fix is available.
