Teams, like most apps, stores temporary data on your device to help it run more smoothly. This stored data is known as the "cache". The cache helps the app load faster by keeping certain info ready to go so it doesn't need to re-download every time you open Teams.
But sometimes this cache can get cluttered, slowing Teams down instead of speeding it up. Clearing the cache gives Teams a fresh start, deleting old temporary files that may be bogging things down. It's one of the easiest troubleshooting steps for a slow or glitchy Teams app.
When should you clear the Teams cache? Here are some common reasons:
- Teams is running slowly or freezing frequently
- You're having trouble loading channels, chats, or files
- Teams crashed and won't reopen
- You notice display issues like missing profile pictures
- Signing in takes a long time or you get repeated sign-in prompts
Clearing the cache can get Teams back up to speed. It only takes a minute, and requires no special skills or tools. Just a few clicks, a quick restart, and Teams will be good as new! Now let's walk through how to clear the Teams cache on both Windows and Mac.
Clearing the Cache on Windows
Here are step-by-step instructions for clearing your Teams cache on a Windows PC:
- Close Microsoft Teams completely if it's open.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams and click OK. This will open your Teams cache folder.
- Select all the files in the folder. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + A on your keyboard.
- Press Delete on your keyboard to send all the cache files to the Recycle Bin.
- Open the Recycle Bin and empty it so the files are completely deleted.
- Restart your computer. This clears any remaining cached memory.
- Open Teams again and see if performance improves. It should launch fresh without any old cache files slowing it down.
That's all it takes to clear the Teams cache on Windows! The whole process takes less than a minute. Now Teams has a clean slate and should run faster with no more freezing or crashes.
Clearing the Cache on Mac
Here are the steps for clearing your Teams cache on a Mac:
- Quit Microsoft Teams if it's currently running.
- Open Finder and hit Command + Shift + G to open the Go to Folder dialog.
- Type in ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams/ and click Go.
- Select all the files in this Teams cache folder.
- Drag the selected files to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash to completely delete the cache files.
- Restart your Mac.
- Open Teams again and it will launch without any old cached data.
Following these simple steps will completely refresh your Teams cache on a Mac. Like with Windows, it only takes a minute of quick file deletion and restarting to clear out issues with a cluttered cache.
Additional Troubleshooting Tips
If clearing the cache didn't resolve your Microsoft Teams issues, here are some additional things to try:
- Update your version of Teams to make sure you're running the latest optimized release.
- Reinstall Teams completely to fix any corrupted files.
- Disable any antivirus or firewall temporarily to see if it's interfering.
- Switch between Wifi and wired networks or reboot your router.
- Update your OS, graphics drivers, .NET Framework, and other software.
- Disable hardware acceleration if graphics are glitchy.
- Adjust power saving settings that suspend background apps.
- Check for overheating issues causing slowdowns or crashes.
- Review Microsoft's troubleshooting guide for more advanced fixes.
- Contact your IT department or submit a support ticket to Microsoft.
While clearing the cache fixes many common problems, don't hesitate to dig deeper if Teams still misbehaves after a fresh start. With some additional troubleshooting, you should be able to smooth out any remaining issues.
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