How to Fix Microsoft Teams Stuck While Loading on Windows?
MS Teams is a dependable product offered by Microsoft, akin to its other services, yet some users have reported that Microsoft Teams gets stuck while loading. The problem surfaces when the user launches the MS Teams application, and it continually loads without stopping.
This issue can be particularly frustrating as it prevents users from fully engaging with the platform, thereby limiting their productivity. It ultimately creates a negative experience for end-users, directly impacting their business or academic endeavors. The loading screen that appears stuck looks like this:
We have compiled a list of potential causes for this problem after thoroughly reviewing user feedback and consulting with technical experts. The problem may stem from any of the following issues:
- Inappropriate Password Change: A common cause of this issue is corruption in the cached password. This often occurs when a user changes their Microsoft Teams Account password while still logged in to the MS Teams desktop client.
- Corrupted Cache: Corrupted cache files can damage your installed applications and even affect your computer. They can block authentication certificates, which ultimately leads to this issue.
- Poor Internet Connection: A subpar internet connection can also contribute to MS Teams’ loading issues, interrupting the login process and prolonging loading times.
- Incorrect Date & Time Settings: Microsoft applications are sensitive to the system’s date & time settings. Privacy and security updates are also dependent on these settings. Therefore, incorrect date & time can lead to the discussed problem. Some websites may even refuse connections due to incorrect system settings.
- Azure Active Directory (AAD) Compliance: The error may also occur if your organization’s configuration does not align with Azure Active Directory (AAD) policies. These policies help enhance security and privacy.
- Windows Credentials Clash: Many users are unaware that Microsoft maintains separate databases for its Windows Account and Office 365 Account. Using the incorrect credentials for O365 applications can result in this loading problem.
- Server Downtime: Occasionally, the Teams servers may undergo maintenance or experience issues at the backend. It is important to check the server status for downtime.
Solution 1: Delete MS Teams Credentials Files
As mentioned in the causes, the issue can arise if there is a discrepancy between your recently changed Microsoft O365 Account password and the cached credentials. Users have resolved this problem by deleting the default Windows Credentials file.
- Click Start, search for Credential Manager, and open it.
- Select Windows Credentials and delete the msteams_adalsso/adal_context_0 and msteams_adalsso/adal_context_1 files as these contain the login credentials for the MS Teams desktop application.
Deleting MS Teams Credentials - Restart Microsoft Teams, and this should resolve the issue.
Solution 2: Run MS Teams Application in Compatibility Mode
Several users have found that running the MS Teams application in compatibility mode for Windows 7 resolves their issue. This may be due to incompatibility between the MS Teams desktop client version and the Windows 10/11 build version. Executing the application in compatibility mode can alleviate these conflicts. Follow these steps to do so:
- Right-click Microsoft Teams.exe and choose Properties.
Opening MS Teams Application Properties - Go to the Compatibility tab, tick the box beside Run this program in compatibility mode for, and select Windows 7 from the dropdown list of available operating systems. Then click Apply and OK. Now, your MS Teams application will operate on Windows 10/11 as though it were running on Windows 7.
Configuring Application Compatibility Settings - Restart your PC and launch Microsoft Teams, which should now function correctly.
Solution 3: Clean Reinstall MS Teams
If the above solutions have not resolved your issue, there is a strong possibility that some of the MS Teams system files are corrupted. A complete uninstallation of MS Teams followed by a fresh reinstallation of the latest version is a straightforward remedy.
- Close MS Teams by right-clicking the MS Teams icon in the taskbar and selecting Quit. This action terminates all background processes related to MS Teams.
- Right-click the Start button and select Control Panel to open it.
Opening Control Panel - Choose Uninstall a program under the Programs section. This will display a list of all programs installed on your PC.
Accessing Installed Programs List - Select Microsoft Teams from the list and click Uninstall. Wait for the uninstallation process to complete.
Uninstalling Microsoft Teams - Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type %appdata% and click OK to navigate to a hidden folder called AppData, which contains user data for various applications.
Accessing the AppData Folder - Open the Microsoft folder, right-click the Teams folder, and choose Delete.
Deleting the MS Teams Folder - Close all windows, press Windows + R again, type %Programdata%, and click OK. You will be taken to the ProgramData folder, which contains program-related settings and data.
Accessing the ProgramData Folder - Repeat step 6 to ensure you have completely uninstalled Microsoft Teams from your computer.
- Download the most current version of the Microsoft Teams desktop setup from the Official Microsoft Teams Download Page and install it. This should ultimately resolve your issue.
