Clear Microsoft Teams Cache in Windows 11 & Windows 10
If Microsoft Teams starts running slowly, fails to load conversations, shows outdated information, or keeps crashing unexpectedly, the problem may be caused by corrupted cache files. Like many other desktop applications, Microsoft Teams stores temporary data on your computer to improve loading times and provide a smoother experience. Over time, these cache files can become outdated or damaged, causing different performance and synchronization issues.
Fortunately, clearing the Microsoft Teams cache is one of the simplest troubleshooting methods available. It does not uninstall the application or permanently delete your chats, files, meetings, or account information. Instead, it removes temporary files that Teams recreates the next time you open the app.
In this guide, you will learn where the Teams cache is stored, how to completely remove it, and what happens after clearing it. You will also learn the advantages and disadvantages of deleting the cache.
Microsoft Teams Cache Folder Location
The exact location of the Teams cache depends on whether you are using the new Microsoft Teams application or the older classic version.
For the new Microsoft Teams app, the cache is generally stored in the following folder:
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
For the classic version of Microsoft Teams, the cache is commonly located here:
C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Teams
Replace YourUserName with your Windows account name.
The AppData folder is hidden by default. If you cannot find it, you can either type the path directly into File Explorer or enable hidden items from the View menu.
Clear Microsoft Teams Cache in Windows 11 & Windows 10
Clearing the Teams cache is almost identical on both Windows 11 and Windows 10. The only differences are minor visual changes in File Explorer and the Start menu.
The steps below work for laptops, desktop computers, business PCs, personal computers, and devices running the latest versions of Microsoft Teams.
Step 1: Completely Close Microsoft Teams
Before deleting any cache files, you must make sure Microsoft Teams is not running in the background. If the application remains open, Windows may prevent some cache files from being deleted.
Begin by saving any work that you are currently doing in Teams. Finish ongoing chats, close meeting windows, and save any files that are still uploading. Once everything is complete, click the X button in the upper right corner of the Teams window.
However, simply closing the window may not completely exit the application. Teams often continues running in the notification area near the system clock. Look for the Teams icon in the lower right corner of your screen. If you do not immediately see it, click the small arrow that displays hidden icons.
Right-click the Microsoft Teams icon and select Quit or Exit. Wait a few seconds to ensure the application has fully closed.
If Teams refuses to close, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Locate Microsoft Teams in the list of running applications or background processes. Select it and click End Task. This completely stops Teams and allows Windows to remove its temporary files without interruption.
Step 2: Open the Teams Cache Folder
The next step is locating the folder where Microsoft Teams stores its temporary files.
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. This small window allows you to quickly open hidden folders without browsing through multiple directories.
If you are using the new Microsoft Teams application, type the following path into the Run box:
%LocalAppData%\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
Then press Enter.
If you are using the classic Teams application, enter:
%AppData%\Microsoft\Teams
and press Enter.
Windows automatically opens the correct folder in File Explorer.
If the folder does not appear, double-check that Teams is installed on your computer and that you entered the path correctly. Some organizations install Teams differently, so the folder location may vary slightly, but these are the most common locations for Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Once the folder opens, you are ready to remove the temporary cache files.
Step 3: Delete the Teams Cache Files
Inside the cache folder, you will see several folders and files created by Microsoft Teams. These files contain temporary information such as thumbnails, images, settings, logs, and downloaded data.
Press Ctrl + A to select everything inside the folder. Once all items are highlighted, press the Delete key on your keyboard.
If Windows asks for confirmation, choose Continue.
You may occasionally receive a message stating that certain files cannot be deleted because they are currently in use. If this happens, confirm once again that Teams has completely closed. You can reopen Task Manager and end any remaining Teams processes before trying again.
Do not worry if a few log files remain. The important temporary cache files will usually be removed successfully.
Deleting these files does not remove your Microsoft account, conversations stored in the cloud, meeting history, or shared documents. It simply clears locally stored temporary data.
Step 4: Restart Microsoft Teams
After deleting the cache, close File Explorer and reopen Microsoft Teams from the Start menu.
The application may take a little longer than usual to start. This is completely normal because Teams is rebuilding its cache from scratch.
You may be asked to sign in again depending on your organization’s security settings. Enter your Microsoft account credentials if prompted.
Once Teams finishes loading, check whether the issue has been resolved. In many cases, users notice improved responsiveness, updated chat synchronization, properly loading profile pictures, and fewer application errors.
Step 5: Verify That Teams Is Working Properly
After Teams has recreated its cache, spend a few minutes testing its basic functions.
Open several chats and channels to confirm they load correctly. Join a test meeting if possible and verify that your microphone, speakers, and camera function as expected. Check whether shared files, notifications, and calendar events appear correctly.
If you originally cleared the cache because Teams was freezing or displaying outdated information, verify whether those issues have disappeared.
If problems continue even after clearing the cache, consider updating Microsoft Teams, installing the latest Windows updates, or reinstalling the application. In many situations, however, clearing the cache is enough to restore normal performance.
When Should You Clear Microsoft Teams Cache?
Clearing the Teams cache is recommended when you experience repeated issues that do not disappear after restarting the application.
You may want to clear the cache if Teams loads slowly, frequently crashes, fails to display new messages, shows outdated profile pictures, refuses to sign in, displays blank screens, fails to load files, or experiences persistent synchronization problems.
Since cache files are temporary, removing them is considered a safe troubleshooting step before attempting more advanced fixes.
Pros and Cons of Deleting Teams Cache
| Pros | Cons |
| Removes corrupted temporary files. | The first launch after clearing the cache may be slower. |
| Fixes many loading and syncing issues. | You may need to sign in again. |
| Improves application performance. | Cached images and temporary files must be downloaded again. |
| Resolves display problems and outdated information. | Some local preferences may temporarily reset. |
| Frees a small amount of storage space. | Offline temporary data is removed. |
| Safe to perform whenever Teams behaves unexpectedly. | It does not fix every Teams problem if the issue is caused by network or account settings. |
FAQs
Is it safe to delete the Microsoft Teams cache?
Yes. Clearing the Microsoft Teams cache is completely safe. It removes only temporary files and does not permanently delete your chats, meetings, contacts, or files stored online.
Will deleting the Teams cache remove my chat history?
No. Your conversations are stored in Microsoft’s cloud services. After signing back into Teams, your chat history automatically syncs again.
How often should I clear the Teams cache?
There is no fixed schedule. Most users only clear the cache when Teams becomes slow, crashes frequently, displays outdated information, or experiences synchronization problems.
Do I need administrator permission to clear the Teams cache?
Usually, no. Since the cache is stored within your personal Windows profile, most users can delete it without administrator rights.
Why is Teams slow after clearing the cache?
This is normal during the first launch. Teams needs to recreate new cache files and download fresh data from Microsoft’s servers. Performance usually returns to normal after a few minutes.
Does clearing the Teams cache fix sign-in problems?
In many cases, yes. If corrupted cache files are causing authentication issues, deleting them may resolve the problem. However, account, password, or network issues may require additional troubleshooting.
Summary
Clearing the Microsoft Teams cache is one of the easiest and most effective ways to solve common performance issues in both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Temporary cache files help Teams load faster, but they can eventually become outdated or corrupted, leading to crashes, slow performance, synchronization issues, and display errors.
By completely closing Teams, opening the correct cache folder, deleting the temporary files, and restarting the application, you allow Teams to rebuild a fresh cache automatically. This simple maintenance task often restores smooth performance without affecting your conversations, shared files, or account data.
If Microsoft Teams continues experiencing problems after clearing the cache, updating the application or reinstalling it may be the next troubleshooting step.