How to Clear Cache on New Teams

Clearing the cache can help when new Teams is slow, displays outdated information, or has trouble loading chats and files. Cache consists of temporary app data; removing it does not normally delete your Teams messages, meetings, or files stored in the cloud. You may need to sign in again, and Teams may take a little longer to load while it rebuilds temporary data.

These instructions are for the new Microsoft Teams desktop app, not Teams in a web browser. Menu names and locations can vary slightly by operating-system and app version. Save any work and make sure you know how to access your account before starting.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC or Mac with the new Teams desktop app installed.
Permission to close Teams and, on a managed work device, access to the relevant app settings or cache folder. Contact your IT administrator if your organization restricts these actions.
Your work or school sign-in details, in case Teams asks you to authenticate after the cache is cleared.

Step-by-Step

Save and close your work. Finish or save anything you are editing in other apps. Clearing Teams cache should not remove cloud content, but quitting Teams disconnects the app temporarily and is a sensible precaution.
Quit Teams completely. Select your profile picture in Teams and choose Quit if that option appears. On Windows, also check the notification area near the clock: right-click the Teams icon and choose Quit. On a Mac, use Microsoft Teams > Quit Microsoft Teams or press Command-Q. Closing the window alone may leave Teams running in the background.
Choose the instructions for your computer. The new Teams app uses different cache-cleaning options on Windows and macOS. Follow only the section for the operating system you use.
On Windows, open the app’s reset controls. Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps (the menu path may differ slightly by Windows version). Find Microsoft Teams, select the three-dot menu beside it, and choose Advanced options.
Reset Teams on Windows. Select Terminate if available to ensure the app has stopped. Then choose Reset and confirm. This clears the app’s local data and cache, and can also reset local preferences or require you to sign in again. If you do not see these controls, check that you selected the new Teams app and see the troubleshooting section below.
On a Mac, open the Teams cache folder. In Finder, select Go > Go to Folder. Enter ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams and press Return. This is the new Teams cache location used by many Mac installations; folder contents can vary between versions.
Remove the cache contents on Mac. In that folder, move the contents to the Trash, rather than deleting unrelated folders elsewhere in Library. If the folder is missing, do not create a replacement or delete a similarly named folder at random; use the app’s current Microsoft support instructions or ask your administrator. You can leave the Trash unemptied until you have confirmed Teams opens normally.
Reopen Teams and check it. Launch the app from Start, Applications, or your usual shortcut. Sign in if asked, then check whether chats, search, and the feature that was causing trouble load correctly. The first launch may be slower as Teams recreates temporary files.

Common Mistakes

Only closing the window: Teams may continue running in the background, leaving files in use. Quit it from its profile menu, notification area, or Mac menu bar before clearing data.
Using old Teams instructions: The classic Teams app had different cache locations. Do not copy an old folder path or delete files from a classic Teams folder when you are troubleshooting new Teams.
Deleting the wrong data: Do not remove your Downloads folder, browser data, or unrelated Microsoft folders. On a Mac, use the stated Group Containers location and avoid deleting the whole Library folder.
Expecting cache clearing to fix every issue: It can address corrupted or stale temporary data, but it will not repair an outage, account restriction, network problem, or missing access permission.
Assuming your account is deleted: A Windows reset can sign you out or reset local app preferences. That is different from deleting your Microsoft account or cloud-stored Teams content.

Tips

Try a normal quit and restart first. If the issue disappears, there may be no need to reset or remove cache files.
Clear the cache when you have a specific reason, such as repeated loading failures or stale app data, rather than as a routine maintenance task.
After clearing, allow Teams time to reload content. Avoid repeating the reset immediately if the app is simply rebuilding its cache.
If Teams is managed by an employer or school, check its support process before changing app data. The organization may use policies or sign-in controls that affect recovery.
For Teams in a browser, clearing the desktop app cache will not affect the browser session. If the issue happens only in a browser, use that browser’s site-data controls instead.

Troubleshooting

Teams will not quit: On Windows, open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, select Microsoft Teams, and choose End task. On a Mac, use Apple menu > Force Quit, select Microsoft Teams, and choose Force Quit. Use these options only after saving work; then continue with the cache steps.

There is no Advanced options or Reset button: Confirm you selected the new Teams entry in Windows Installed apps. Some managed devices or app installations do not expose the same controls. Do not uninstall other Microsoft components to find them; ask your IT administrator or follow Microsoft’s current guidance for your installation.

The Mac folder is not there: Check that Teams is fully quit and that you entered the path exactly, including the tilde at the beginning. If Finder still cannot open it, the app may use a different location in your version. Avoid guessing paths or removing other folders; consult Microsoft Support or your administrator.

The problem remains after clearing: Restart the computer, open Teams, and check your internet connection and service access. If the issue affects only one account or work resource, contact your organization’s Teams administrator. If it affects multiple users, ask whether there is a service issue before repeating the reset.

Teams opens but asks you to sign in: Sign in with the account normally used for that Teams installation. If authentication fails, follow your organization’s sign-in or multifactor prompts, or contact its help desk. Do not share passwords or verification codes with anyone offering unsolicited help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing the new Teams cache delete my chats?

It should not delete chats or files stored in your Teams account. Clearing local app data can remove cached copies and local preferences, and you may need to sign in again.

Is restarting Teams the same as clearing its cache?

No. Restarting closes and reopens the app but leaves its cache in place. It is worth trying first because it is quick and does not remove local app data.

How often should I clear the Teams cache?

There is no need to clear it on a schedule. Try it when you have a specific loading, display, or performance problem that a normal restart does not resolve.

Can I clear the cache while Teams is open?

Quit Teams first. If it remains open in the background, some cache files may be in use and the reset or removal may not work as intended.

Do these steps apply to Teams in a browser?

No. These steps apply to the new desktop app. For browser Teams, clear the relevant site data using the browser’s own settings, or try a private window to check whether browser data is involved.

What if clearing the cache does not fix Teams?

Restart your computer and check your connection and account access. If the issue continues, contact your organization’s IT support or consult Microsoft Support rather than deleting additional folders.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.