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How to Clear the Microsoft Teams Cache

Applies toMicrosoft TeamsWindows 11Windows 10
4 min fix Updated 18 May 2026

By , 10+ years in IT support and helpdesk How these guides are checked

Quick Answer

Fully quit Teams, press Windows + R, type %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams, and delete all the files in that folder to clear the cache.

Checked against Microsoft Learn - Windows release health, Microsoft Learn - end of support and retirement and between 5 Aug 2026 and 12 Sep 2026. Nothing published in that period has been linked to this guide.

Summary ​

This article provides instructions on how to clear the Microsoft Teams cache. Clearing the cache is the most common and effective fix for issues like missing messages, failure to load images, syncing problems, or when the app becomes unresponsive.

Before You Start ​

  • Microsoft Teams installed on Windows.
  • Completely close the Teams application before following these steps.

Instructions ​

1. Fully Quit Microsoft Teams ​

You cannot clear the cache while Teams is running in the background.

  1. Close the App
    • Click the X in the top right corner of the Teams window.
  2. Quit from the System Tray
    • Look for the Teams icon in your system tray (the bottom right corner of your screen, near the clock. You may need to click the upward-facing arrow ^ to see hidden icons).
    • Right-click the Teams icon.
    • Select Quit. If the Teams icon stays in the tray, see How to Force Quit an App on Windows (Task Manager).

2. Clear the Cache (New Teams) ​

New Teams is a Store app, so its cache is cleared through the app's own reset.

If you are using the "New" Microsoft Teams (the icon has the word "NEW" on it), follow these steps:

  1. Open Windows Settings
    • Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to Installed Apps
    • In the left-hand menu, select Apps.
    • Click on Installed apps.
  3. Reset Microsoft Teams
    • Use the search bar to find Microsoft Teams.
    • Click the three dots (...) next to Microsoft Teams and select Advanced options.
    • Scroll down to the Reset section.
    • Click the Reset button. Confirm by clicking Reset again.
    • This will clear the app's data without uninstalling it.

3. Clear the Cache (Classic Teams) ​

Classic Teams keeps its cache in a folder you delete by hand.

If you are still using the "Classic" Microsoft Teams (the standard purple icon without the "NEW" badge), follow these steps:

  1. Open the Run Dialog
    • Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run window.
  2. Navigate to the Cache Folder
    • In the text box, type the following exactly: %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams
    • Click OK. A File Explorer window will open.
  3. Delete All Files
    • Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to select everything in the folder.
    • Press the Delete key.
    • If prompted that a file is in use, check the box that says "Do this for all current items" and click Skip. (This usually means Teams wasn't fully closed).
  4. Restart Teams

Troubleshooting ​

DANGER

Clearing your Teams cache will not delete any of your chats, files, or team memberships. However, it will reset your local settings (like dark mode or custom backgrounds), so you may need to reconfigure them.

Symptom / ErrorPotential CauseSolution
"File in use" error when deletingTeams is still runningEnsure you right-clicked the Teams icon in the system tray and selected Quit. Check Task Manager if necessary.
Issues persist after clearing cacheCorrupt installationYou may need to completely uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Teams from the Company Portal or Microsoft Store.

Last updated:

Frequently asked questions

Will clearing the Teams cache delete my chats or files?
No. Your chats, files, and teams are stored in the cloud. Clearing the cache only removes temporary files stored on your local computer.
Do I need to sign back into Teams after clearing the cache?
Yes. Deleting the cache removes your active login session, so you will need to enter your email and password the next time you open Teams.