Fix Teams stuck 2026

A Professional Guide: How to Fix Microsoft Teams Stuck on the Loading Screen in 2026

The issue of Microsoft Teams becoming stuck on its initial loading screen—often a persistent purple window displaying the Teams logo and a "Loading..." message—remains a common frustration for users. This problem can halt productivity and is typically caused by corrupted cache files, outdated application versions, or conflicts within the user profile. This comprehensive technical guide provides a series of ordered troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue effectively.

Method 1: Clear the Microsoft Teams Cache

The most frequent cause of the loading screen issue is a corrupted cache. Clearing these temporary files forces Teams to rebuild them, often resolving the problem immediately. Ensure Teams is completely closed before proceeding.

• Right-click the Teams icon in your system tray (bottom-right of the taskbar) and select "Quit". If it's not visible, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and end all processes related to Microsoft Teams.
• Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams into the Run box and press Enter.
• This will open the Teams application data folder. To perform a full cache clear, delete the contents of the following sub-folders:
  • blob_storage
  • Cache
  • Code Cache
  • databases
  • GPUCache
  • IndexedDB
  • Local Storage
  • tmp
• Once you have deleted the contents of these folders, restart your computer and launch Microsoft Teams. The application will take slightly longer to start as it rebuilds the cache.

Method 2: Run as Administrator and Check Compatibility

Permission issues can sometimes prevent Teams from loading correctly. Running the application with elevated privileges or in compatibility mode can bypass these blocks.

• Locate your Microsoft Teams shortcut. Right-click it and select "Run as administrator". If this works, you can make the change permanent.
• To make it permanent, right-click the shortcut, go to "Properties", select the "Compatibility" tab.
• Check the box for "Run this program as an administrator". You can also try checking "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" and selecting Windows 8 as a test.
• Click "Apply" and then "OK". Try launching Teams again.

Method 3: Repair or Reinstall Microsoft Teams

If clearing the cache and adjusting permissions does not work, the application's core files may be damaged. A repair or a full reinstallation is the next logical step.

• Open "Settings" > "Apps" > "Apps & features".
• Find "Microsoft Teams" in the list. On Windows 11, click the three-dot menu and select "Advanced options", then click "Repair". On Windows 10, you may see a "Modify" or "Repair" option.
• If a repair does not fix the issue, proceed with a full uninstallation from the same "Apps & features" menu. Be sure to also uninstall the "Teams Machine-Wide Installer" if it is present.
• After uninstalling, it is highly recommended to perform the cache clearing steps from Method 1 again to ensure all residual files are removed.
• Download the latest version of Teams from the official Microsoft website and install it.

Method 4: Use the Web App as a Workaround

While troubleshooting the desktop client, you can maintain access to your chats and channels by using the web version of Teams. Navigate to teams.microsoft.com in a modern web browser like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and sign in with your credentials. This provides a reliable alternative to ensure your work is not interrupted.