Fix Teams crash 2026

Troubleshooting and Resolving the Microsoft Teams '2026' Startup Crash

This guide provides a comprehensive set of technical steps to resolve the widely reported '2026' startup crash affecting the Microsoft Teams desktop client. Users experiencing this issue report that Teams either fails to launch entirely or crashes within seconds of starting up. The root cause is believed to be a conflict between a recent client update and corrupted local cache or configuration files, which prevents the application from initializing correctly.

Step 1: Initial Diagnostics and Basic Fixes

Before proceeding to more advanced solutions, perform these initial steps. They can often resolve common software conflicts without requiring data removal.

• Restart Your Computer: A full system reboot can clear temporary system state issues that may be interfering with Teams.
• Check for OS Updates: Ensure your Windows or macOS operating system is fully up to date. An outdated OS can cause compatibility problems with newer application versions. Go to Windows Update or System Preferences to check for and install any pending updates.
• Use the Web App: As a temporary measure to maintain productivity, access Teams through your web browser at teams.microsoft.com. If the web version works, it confirms the problem is isolated to your local desktop client.

Step 2: Clearing the Microsoft Teams Cache

The most effective solution for the '2026' crash involves clearing the application's local cache. These files can become corrupted over time and cause instability. Follow the instructions for your specific operating system.

• For Windows Users:
  1. Fully quit Microsoft Teams. Right-click the Teams icon in your system tray (bottom right corner of the screen) and select "Quit".
  2. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
  3. Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams and press Enter.
  4. In the folder that opens, delete the contents of the following subfolders:
     • blob_storage
     • Cache
     • databases
     • GPUCache
     • IndexedDB
     • Local Storage
     • tmp
  5. Restart Microsoft Teams. The application will rebuild its cache, which may take slightly longer on the first launch.
• For macOS Users:
  1. Fully quit Microsoft Teams. Right-click the Teams icon in the Dock and select "Quit".
  2. Open Finder. From the "Go" menu at the top of the screen, select "Go to Folder...".
  3. Enter ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft and click "Go".
  4. Locate the "Teams" folder and delete it. This action removes all cache and configuration files.
  5. Restart Microsoft Teams. You may need to sign in again.

Step 3: A Clean Reinstallation of Microsoft Teams

If clearing the cache does not resolve the issue, a clean reinstallation is the next logical step. This ensures no corrupted installation files remain on your system.

• Uninstall Teams: Use "Apps & features" in Windows Settings or drag the Teams application to the Trash on macOS.
• Remove Residual Files: After uninstalling, it is crucial to perform the cache clearing steps outlined in Step 2 one more time to ensure all associated data is removed.
• Reboot Your System: Restart your computer to finalize the removal process.
• Download and Reinstall: Visit the official Microsoft Teams website to download the latest version of the desktop client and run the installer.

Further Assistance

If the Microsoft Teams client continues to crash after following all the steps above, the issue may be related to a more complex system or profile conflict. Please contact your organization's IT support department for further assistance and reference the error code "CRASH2026".