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Teams won't start or keeps crashing: how to clear the cache

Easy 10 min Updated:

Quick answer

If Teams won't start or crashes, the most common culprit is a corrupted cache. Close Teams, delete the contents of the cache folders in `%localappdata%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams` (Windows) or `~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MSTeams` (macOS), and restart the app. If the problem persists, try resetting the app or reinstalling.

How to recognize the problem

  • Teams gets stuck on the loading screen and won't open
  • The app crashes immediately after launch or during sign-in
  • Teams shows a blank window or black screen
  • Messages and channels won't load even though the internet connection is working
  • Teams closes by itself during calls or screen sharing

Most common causes

Corrupted cache

Cache files can become corrupted due to improper app shutdown or updates, which prevents Teams from starting.

Outdated app version

If an old version of Teams is installed, it can cause incompatibility with the server and frequent crashes.

Conflict with other programs

Antivirus or other programs can block Teams or interfere with access to the cache.

Corrupted installation

Parts of the Teams installation can be corrupted, causing a crash on startup.

Step-by-step fix

  1. 1

    Close Teams and all related processes

    Right-click the Teams icon in the system tray and select Quit or Exit. If it doesn't close, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find Microsoft Teams, and click End task. On macOS, press Cmd+Q or use Activity Monitor to close the process.

  2. 2

    Clear the cache on Windows

    Press Win+R, type %localappdata%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams, and press Enter. Delete all contents inside the MSTeams folder (do not delete the folder itself). If the classic Teams is also installed on the computer, do the same for %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams and %localappdata%\Microsoft\Teams. This only deletes local temporary data, while messages and files on the server remain saved.

  3. 3

    Clear the cache on macOS

    Open Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G, and go to ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2/Data/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MSTeams. Delete all contents of the MSTeams folder (do not delete the folder itself). If it exists, do the same for ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2/Data/Library/Caches. For classic Teams, the path is ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams.

  4. 4

    Restart Teams

    Start Teams from the Start menu or from the Applications folder. If the app starts and asks you to sign in, enter your sign-in credentials. Wait for the cache to rebuild.

  5. 5

    Update Teams

    New Teams mostly updates automatically. On Windows, check if an update for Microsoft Teams is available in the Microsoft Store, and on macOS, run Microsoft AutoUpdate. If an update is available, install it and restart the app.

  6. 6

    Reset Teams if the problem persists

    Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Settings > Apps > Apps & features (Windows 10), find Microsoft Teams, open Advanced options, and select Reset. This will delete the app's local data and sign you out, but messages and files on the server remain saved.

  7. 7

    Reinstall Teams

    Uninstall Teams via Settings > Apps > Installed apps (Windows 11) or Settings > Apps > Apps & features (Windows 10). Download the latest version from the official Microsoft website and install it. Messages and files on the server remain saved. After installation, sign in again.

If nothing helps

If Teams still crashes, check whether the problem is with your account or computer. Sign in to Teams via a web browser (teams.microsoft.com). If it works there, the problem is local. Try creating a new Windows user account and test Teams there. Also, check that your antivirus is up to date and not blocking Teams. As a last resort, contact IT support because the problem may be on the server side or in your organization's policy.

How to prevent it

  • Regularly update Teams and Windows/macOS
  • Close Teams properly, don't force-kill the process
  • Occasionally clear the cache if you notice slowdowns
  • Use the official version of Teams from the Microsoft website

When to call a professional

If you have tried all the steps and Teams still crashes, or if the problem occurs on multiple computers in the organization, contact IT support. They can check server policies, network settings, and any system errors.

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FAQ

Does clearing the cache delete my messages or files?

No, clearing the cache does not affect messages and files saved on Microsoft servers. Only local temporary files are removed, and Teams will download them again on startup. If you have an unfinished message in the input field, send it before clearing the cache.

How often should I clear the Teams cache?

There is no need to do it regularly. Clear the cache only if you notice a problem with startup, crashes, or strange app behavior.

Why does Teams crash only on my computer?

The cause is probably a local problem with the cache, installation, or a conflict with another program. If the same thing happens on other computers, contact your administrator.

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