Microsoft Teams stores temporary files on your PC to load chats, channels, and profile photos faster. Over time these files pile up and can cause the app to lag, crash, or show outdated information. Clearing the cache forces Teams to rebuild this data fresh, and it does not touch anything stored in your Microsoft 365 account.
What Does the Microsoft Teams Cache Do?
The cache holds local copies of things like profile pictures, chat previews, and channel data so Teams does not have to redownload them every time it opens.
When these files get outdated or corrupted, Teams can start showing old profile photos, freeze during meetings, get stuck in a sign-in loop, or stop updating your status. Clearing the cache only removes these local temporary files. Your messages, meeting recordings, and shared files stay on Microsoft’s servers and are unaffected.
Before You Clear the Teams Cache
Close Microsoft Teams completely before deleting any cache files, otherwise Windows will block you from removing files that are still in use.
Right-click the Teams icon in the system tray near the clock and select Quit. Closing the window with the X button is not enough, since Teams keeps running in the background until you quit it from the tray icon or Task Manager.
If you are not sure which version you have, open Teams, click your profile picture, and select About. The new Teams app shows a simplified purple icon and lists its version without the word “classic,” while the classic app is the older interface Microsoft has been phasing out since 2023.
Method 1: How to Clear New Teams Cache Using File Explorer
The new Teams app stores its cache in a different folder than the classic version, and deleting it manually is the most direct fix.
- Press
Win + Rto open the Run dialog - Paste this path and press Enter:
%userprofile%\appdata\local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams - Select all files with
Ctrl + A - Press Delete to remove them
- Restart Microsoft Teams
The app will take slightly longer to open the first time as it rebuilds its cache.
If this fixes the issue, you’re done. If Teams still misbehaves, move on to Method 2.
Method 2: How to Reset New Teams Through Windows Settings
Resetting the app through Windows Settings clears the cache along with app data, which is useful if a manual file deletion did not resolve the issue.
- Open Settings with
Win + I - Go to Apps > Installed apps
- Search for Microsoft Teams
- Select the three-dot menu next to it and choose Advanced options
- Scroll to the Reset section and click Reset
- Restart Teams and sign back in
This method signs you out of Teams and clears app settings along with the cache, so use it only if the file-based method did not help.
This method is only for the new Teams app. If you’re on classic Teams, skip to Method 3.
Method 3: How to Clear Classic Teams Cache on Windows 11
If you still use the classic Teams app, its cache lives in the AppData folder instead of the Packages folder used by the new app.
Deleting the entire Teams folder instead of just the subfolders listed below also resets custom settings like your background images, though your chats and personal files stay unaffected. Stick to the listed subfolders if you want to keep those settings.
- Quit Teams from the system tray
- Press
Win + R, type%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams, and press Enter - Delete the contents of these folders, keeping the folders themselves. Skip any folder that isn’t present on your system:
Cacheblob_storagedatabasesGPUcacheIndexedDBLocal Storagetmp
- Restart Teams
Skip the Downloads folder inside this location if it contains files you still need.
Method 4: How to Clear Teams Cache Using PowerShell
PowerShell is faster if you need to clear the cache repeatedly or want to automate it across multiple machines.
Close Teams first, then open PowerShell and run the command that matches your version.
For the new Teams app:
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams\*" -Recurse -ForceFor classic Teams:
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\Cache\*" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\blob_storage\*" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\databases\*" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\GPUcache\*" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\IndexedDB\*" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\Local Storage\*" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Teams\tmp\*" -Recurse -ForceRun only the lines for folders that exist on your system; PowerShell will show an error for any path that isn’t present, and you can ignore it and continue with the rest.
Restart Teams once the command finishes running.
What Happens After You Clear the Teams Cache?
Teams redownloads your profile data, channel information, and recent content on the first launch after a cache clear, so expect a short delay before everything loads normally.
You may also be prompted to sign in again depending on which method you used. Your messages, meetings, files, and team memberships are stored on Microsoft’s servers and remain exactly as you left them, since none of that data lives in the local cache.
If Teams still shows the same problem after this, the cause likely isn’t the cache itself. Try the steps below.
Teams Cache Cleared but Still Not Working?
- Check for a pending Teams update from your profile picture menu, since an outdated build can cause sync and loading problems
- Restart your PC to clear other temporary system files that might be interfering
- Uninstall Teams, manually delete any leftover folders in
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams(classic) and%userprofile%\appdata\local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams(new), then reinstall from the official Teams download page
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clear the Teams cache on Windows 11?
There is no fixed schedule for this. Clear it when Teams is actually misbehaving, such as after a major update or when the app slows down noticeably, rather than as routine maintenance.
Does clearing the Teams cache delete my chats?
No. Clearing the cache only removes local temporary files. Your chats, files, and meetings are stored in Microsoft 365 and are not affected.
What is the difference between clearing cache and resetting the app?
Deleting cache files manually removes only temporary data and keeps your custom settings intact. Resetting the app through Windows Settings clears the cache and app data together, including personalization settings, and signs you out.
Why does Teams keep getting stuck in a sign-in loop?
A sign-in loop usually happens when the cached authentication tokens become corrupted or outdated. Clearing the cache removes these stored tokens and forces Teams to request a fresh sign-in, which resolves the loop in most cases.
Do I need admin rights to clear the Teams cache on Windows 11?
No. The cache folders for both the new and classic Teams app live inside your user profile, so a standard user account has full access to delete them. Admin rights are only needed if you choose to uninstall and reinstall Teams entirely. Clearing the cache is a safe, reversible step that fixes most performance and loading issues without touching any of your actual Teams data.
