How to Fix Microsoft Teams Calls Dropping or Disconnecting Randomly
Applies to
Microsoft Teams for Windows, macOS, web, work, school, and personal accounts
Last updated
6 July 2026
Problem
Microsoft Teams calls drop, disconnect, freeze, or end unexpectedly during audio or video meetings. You may be removed from a call, lose audio for several seconds, see a reconnecting message, or find that Teams returns you to the meeting join screen.
This is usually caused by unstable internet, weak WiFi, VPN interruptions, firewall restrictions, device performance problems, outdated Teams versions, or temporary Microsoft 365 service issues.
Solution
Check your internet connection, reduce meeting load, test Teams on the web, disconnect from VPN if allowed, and update Teams. If calls drop for several people in the same organisation, ask IT to check network quality, Teams policies, and Microsoft 365 service health.
Step by step instructions
Check whether the issue affects one call or all calls
Start by identifying the pattern.
Check whether calls drop during:
- One specific meeting
- All Teams meetings
- Calls with external users only
- Video calls but not audio calls
- Screen sharing sessions
- Calls on one device only
- Calls on one network only
If the issue happens only on one network or device, focus troubleshooting there first.
Test your internet connection
Teams calls need a stable connection, not just a fast one.
Open a browser and test a normal website.
If pages load slowly or disconnect, your network may be the cause.
Try these checks:
- Move closer to your WiFi router
- Use wired Ethernet if available
- Restart your router
- Pause large downloads and uploads
- Avoid streaming video during calls
- Test from another network if possible
After improving the connection, join another Teams call and check whether it stays connected.
Switch from WiFi to wired Ethernet
Weak or busy WiFi is one of the most common reasons Teams calls drop.
If possible, connect your computer directly to the router or network socket using Ethernet.
Then restart Teams and test another meeting.
If Ethernet fixes the problem, the issue is likely WiFi strength, interference, or router performance.
Turn off video temporarily
Video uses more bandwidth and processing power than audio.
During a call, turn off your camera and continue with audio only.
If the call becomes stable, the issue may be related to bandwidth, device performance, or camera processing.
You can also ask other participants to turn off incoming video if Teams offers that option.
Stop screen sharing if the call becomes unstable
Screen sharing increases network and processing load.
If calls drop while presenting:
- Stop sharing temporarily
- Close unnecessary windows
- Share one application instead of the full screen
- Avoid sharing high motion video
- Restart Teams before presenting again
If calls only drop during screen sharing, your device or network may be struggling with the additional load.
Close background apps
Teams may disconnect if your computer is under heavy load.
Close unnecessary apps before important calls, especially:
- Other meeting apps
- Video editing software
- Screen recorders
- Games
- Large browser sessions
- Cloud sync apps doing large uploads
- Remote desktop tools
Then restart Teams and rejoin the call.
Check VPN connection
VPNs can sometimes interrupt Teams calls or route traffic inefficiently.
If your organisation allows it, disconnect from VPN and test another Teams call.
If Teams works properly without VPN, ask your IT team whether Teams traffic should bypass VPN or whether VPN settings need adjusting.
Do not bypass VPN if your organisation requires it for security.
Try Teams on the web
Open a browser and go to:
Sign in with the same account.
Join a meeting from the browser.
If Teams web stays connected but the desktop app drops calls, the desktop app may need updating, repairing, resetting, or reinstalling.
Update Microsoft Teams
Open Teams.
Select Settings and more near your profile picture.
Choose Check for updates if available.
Restart Teams after the update completes.
If Teams continues dropping calls, reinstall it from the official Microsoft page:
Restart your device
A full restart clears stuck audio, video, and network services.
Restart your computer or mobile device.
Open Teams again.
Join a test call or meeting and check whether the disconnections continue.
Ask IT to check network and service health
For work or school accounts, repeated call drops may be related to network or Microsoft 365 service conditions.
Ask your IT administrator to check:
- Microsoft 365 service health
- Firewall and proxy rules for Teams
- VPN routing
- WiFi performance
- Network packet loss
- Teams meeting policies
- Whether other users are affected
If several users have the same issue, local troubleshooting on one device may not be enough.
Optional methods or tools
- Use https://teams.microsoft.com to test Teams in a browser
- Use wired Ethernet for important meetings where possible
- Test calls on another network to compare stability
- Disconnect VPN temporarily only if your organisation allows it
- Ask IT to check network quality and Microsoft 365 service health
Best practices or tips
- Join important meetings from a stable network
- Use Ethernet where possible for long calls or presentations
- Close heavy apps before meetings
- Avoid large uploads or downloads during Teams calls
- Keep Teams, device drivers, and operating system updates current
Microsoft Teams calls usually drop because of network instability, device performance problems, VPN interruptions, or heavy meeting load. Testing with audio only, switching to Ethernet, and comparing the desktop app with https://teams.microsoft.com can quickly show where the issue is.
If calls drop across multiple devices or users, the problem may be wider than one computer. In work and school environments, IT should check Teams service health, firewall settings, VPN routing, and network quality to identify recurring call disconnection problems.
