How to Fix Microsoft Teams Stuck Updating or Installing
Applies to
Microsoft Teams for Windows, macOS, web, work, school, and personal accounts
Last updated
6 July 2026
Problem
Microsoft Teams gets stuck while updating, installing, or reinstalling. The installer may freeze, Teams may stay on a preparing update screen, or the app may repeatedly ask to restart without completing the update. In some cases, Teams disappears after uninstalling and will not install again.
This is usually caused by a failed previous installation, cached installer files, missing permissions, outdated operating system components, security software interference, or conflicting old Teams versions.
Solution
Restart the device, fully remove broken Teams components, install the latest version from the official Microsoft download page, and check that your account has permission to install apps. On managed work or school devices, your IT administrator may need to deploy or repair Teams centrally.
Step by step instructions
Restart your computer first
Before changing installation files, restart your device.
A restart can clear stuck update processes and release locked files.
After the restart, open Teams again and check whether the update completes.
If Teams still shows the same update or install problem, continue with the next steps.
Check whether Teams is already running in the background
Teams may fail to update if old processes are still running.
On Windows, open Task Manager.
Look for Microsoft Teams processes.
End any Teams processes that remain open.
On macOS, open Activity Monitor.
Search for Teams and quit any related processes.
Then try opening or installing Teams again.
Check your internet connection
Teams updates need a stable connection.
Open a browser and test a normal website.
If the connection is unreliable, try:
- Moving closer to your WiFi router
- Switching to wired Ethernet
- Restarting your router
- Pausing large downloads
- Disconnecting from VPN temporarily if allowed
Once the connection is stable, try the update again.
Install Teams from the official Microsoft page
Avoid using old installer files saved in your downloads folder.
Open the official Microsoft Teams download page:
Download the latest installer for your device.
Run the installer and follow the prompts.
If you are using a work or school computer, you may need administrator permission.
Remove old Teams versions
Some update problems happen when old and new Teams versions conflict.
Open Settings on Windows.
Go to Apps.
Look for installed Teams entries, such as:
- Microsoft Teams
- Teams Machine-Wide Installer
- Microsoft Teams classic
- New Microsoft Teams
Uninstall old or duplicate entries if appropriate.
Restart your computer before reinstalling Teams.
If you are on a managed device, check with IT before removing organisation deployed apps.
Repair or reset Teams on Windows
If Teams is installed but stuck updating, repair it first.
Open Settings.
Go to Apps.
Find Microsoft Teams.
Open Advanced options if available.
Select Repair.
If repair does not help, select Reset.
Then reopen Teams and check whether the update completes.
Check available storage space
Teams may fail to install or update if your device is low on storage.
Open device storage settings.
Confirm there is enough free space.
Delete unnecessary files if required.
Restart the device and run the Teams installer again.
Temporarily check security software restrictions
Security tools may block installers or update processes.
If you use a work or school device, do not disable security tools yourself unless your IT policy allows it.
Instead, ask IT to check whether antivirus, application control, firewall, or web filtering software is blocking the Teams installer.
On a personal device, check whether security software has quarantined or blocked the installer.
Try Teams on the web while fixing the app
If the installed app will not update, use Teams on the web temporarily.
Open:
Sign in with your account.
This lets you access chats and meetings while the desktop installation problem is resolved.
Ask IT to redeploy Teams on managed devices
For work or school computers, Teams may be controlled by software deployment tools.
Ask your IT administrator to check:
- Whether Teams installation is managed centrally
- Whether users are allowed to install or update Teams
- Whether old Teams versions should be removed
- Whether device compliance policies are blocking installation
- Whether Microsoft 365 service health shows Teams issues
- Whether installer logs show a failed deployment
If Teams is managed by your organisation, local reinstall attempts may not work until policy or deployment settings are corrected.
Optional methods or tools
- Use https://teams.microsoft.com while the desktop app is being repaired
- Download Teams only from https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/download-app
- Use Task Manager or Activity Monitor to close stuck Teams processes
- Ask IT to remove old Teams versions on managed devices
- Check device storage before reinstalling Teams
Best practices or tips
- Restart your computer after uninstalling or reinstalling Teams
- Avoid using old Teams installer files
- Keep Windows or macOS updated
- Do not remove organisation managed apps without checking with IT
- Use the web version as a temporary workaround during installation issues
Microsoft Teams update and installation problems are often caused by stuck background processes, old installer files, or conflicts between Teams versions. Restarting the device, removing broken installations, and downloading the latest installer from Microsoft usually fixes most personal device issues.
For work and school users, Teams may be managed by IT policies or central deployment tools. If Teams repeatedly gets stuck updating or installing on a managed device, your IT administrator may need to repair, redeploy, or approve the installation through organisation management systems.
