MS Teams is a reliable product offered by Microsoft like its other services but users have reported that Microsoft Teams gets stuck while loading. The problem arises when the user opens the MS Teams application but it won’t stop loading. This problem is extremely frustrating as it restricts users from utilizing the platform with complete freedom, resisting them from being productive. This creates an unfavorable experience for end-users as it directly affects their business or educational work. The stuck loading screen looks like this:
What Causes MS Teams Stuck While Loading?
We have listed down some of the causes of this problem after reviewing the user’s feedback and technical authorities in detail. This problem may arise due to any of the following reasons:
- Inappropriate Password Change: The main reason behind this problem is the corrupt cached password. It can happen due to a number of reasons, among which the primary being when the user changes his/her Microsoft Teams Account password while he/she had his/her account logged in the MS Teams desktop client.
- Corrupted Cache: Everyone knows how much harm corrupt files could do to your installed applications as well as to your computer. Corrupted cache data blocks authentication certificates which ultimately cause this problem.
- Bad Internet Connection: Another key reason for the MS Teams application to suffer this problem can be your internet connection. A shared or weak internet connection may hinder the login process and thus, increase the loading time.
- Incorrect Date & Time: Microsoft applications work relative to the date & time. Privacy & security patches also get updated relative to date & time. Therefore, if the date & time is incorrect on your PC then you are most likely to get the problem under consideration. Certain websites may even refuse connection from your internet.
- Azure Active Directory (AAD): The error may also arise when your organization is not complying with the Azure Active Directory (AAD) configuration policies. These policies are adopted to enhance both security and privacy.
- Windows Credentials Clash: Most users are not aware of the fact that Microsoft’s database is different for both Windows Account and Office 365 Account. Users may be using the wrong credentials i.e. Windows credentials for O365 applications, ultimately causing this problem.
- Service is Down: Another thing to be mindful of is that there is sometimes downtime on Team’s servers at the backend. Make sure you check the server status.
Solution 1: Delete MS Teams Credentials Files
As discussed in the causes, this problem may arise if you have changed your Microsoft O365 Account password recently and your old password is still stored under the Windows Credentials storage file. Users were able to fix this problem by deleting the default Windows Credentials file. Follow the steps given below:
- Click Start, search Credential Manager, and open it. Credential Manager is a Windows tool that manages to add, editing, and saving login credentials for different installed applications and services.
- Select Windows Credentials and delete msteams_adalsso/adal_context_0 and msteams_adalsso/adal_context_1 files as these files hold login credentials for MS Teams desktop application.
Deleting MS Teams Credentials - Launch Microsoft Teams. This should fix your problem.
Solution 2: Run MS Teams Application in Compatibility Mode
Many users have reported that running the MS Teams application in compatibility mode for Windows 7 solved their problem. The reasons would be incompatibility factors between MS Teams desktop client version and Windows 10 build version. Running the application in compatibility mode will resolve these conflicts. Please follow the steps given below:
- Right-click Microsoft Teams.exe and select Properties. This will open a window that contains all the application properties i.e. General, Security, Previous Versions, etc.
Opening MS Teams Application Properties - Switch to Compatibility tab, check the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 7 from the list of the available operating systems. Now click Apply and OK. Your MS Teams application will now run on Windows 10 as it is running on Windows 7.
Configuring Application Compatibility Settings - Restart your PC.
- Launch Microsoft Teams. This should fix your problem.
Note: Alternatively, click Run compatibility troubleshooter to allow Windows to automatically detect and fix some of the most common issues.
Solution 3: Clean Reinstall MS Teams
If any of the above solutions didn’t fix your problem then there is a strong possibility that some of the MS Teams system files are corrupted. The easy fix would be to completely uninstall MS Teams and reinstall the latest fresh copy. Follow the steps given below to do so:
- Close MS Teams by right-clicking the MS Teams icon in the taskbar and select Quit. This will end all the background ongoing processes related to MS Teams.
- Right-click on Start and select Control Panel to open it.
Opening Control Panel - Select Uninstall a program under the Programs section. This will take you to the list of all installed programs on your PC.
Opening Installed Programs List - Select Microsoft Teams from the list of installed programs and click Uninstall. This will start uninstalling MS Teams. The procedure may take time so wait until it gets finished.
Uninstalling Microsoft Teams - Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open Run dialog box. Type %appdata% and click OK. This will take you to a hidden folder named AppData where user data is stored for different applications installed on your PC.
Opening AppData Folder - Open Microsoft folder, right-click on Teams folder and select Delete.
Deleting MS Teams Folder - Close all windows and again press Windows + R keys on your keyboard to start Run. Type %Programdata% and click OK. This will take you to a hidden folder named ProgramData where program-related settings or data are stored.
Opening ProgramData Folder - Repeat step 6. Now you have finally uninstalled Microsoft Teams completely from your computer.
- Download a fresh updated copy of Microsoft Teams desktop setup from the Official Microsoft Teams Download Webpage and then install it. This should finally fix your problem.
