How to Fix Microsoft Teams Chat Messages Delayed or Not Sending
Applies to
Microsoft Teams for Windows, macOS, web, work, school, and personal accounts
Last updated
6 July 2026
Problem
Microsoft Teams chat messages are delayed, stuck on sending, or do not appear for other people. You may type a message and see it sit with a sending indicator, or replies may arrive much later than expected. In some cases, messages work on one device but not another.
This is usually caused by internet connection problems, Teams cache issues, account sync delays, VPN or firewall interference, outdated app versions, or temporary Microsoft 365 service problems.
Solution
Check your internet connection, compare Teams desktop with Teams on the web, restart the app, update Teams, and clear local app data if messages continue to delay or fail. If the issue affects multiple users, your organisation may need to check Microsoft 365 service health.
Step by step instructions
Check whether the message actually sent
Before changing settings, confirm what happened to the message.
Look for signs such as:
- A sending indicator next to the message
- A failed to send message
- A retry option
- The message appearing on one device but not another
- Other users confirming they did not receive it
If there is a retry option, select it once after confirming your internet connection is working.
Test your internet connection
Teams chat needs a stable connection to send and receive messages reliably.
Open a web browser and test a normal website.
If pages are slow or fail to load, try the following:
- Move closer to your WiFi router
- Switch to a stronger network
- Restart your router
- Disconnect from VPN temporarily if allowed
- Pause large downloads or uploads
After improving the connection, return to Teams and try sending another message.
Check Teams on the web
Open your browser and go to:
Sign in with the same account.
Open the same chat and check whether your messages appear correctly.
If chat works in the browser but not the desktop app, the problem is likely with the installed Teams app or local cache.
Restart Teams fully
Close Teams completely.
On Windows, right click the Teams icon in the taskbar or system tray and choose Quit.
On macOS, quit Teams fully from the dock or menu bar.
Reopen Teams and check whether messages now send normally.
If Teams has been open for a long time, restart your computer as well.
Check whether the problem affects one chat or all chats
Try sending a message in a different chat or channel.
This helps identify the scope of the issue.
Check whether the problem affects:
- One person
- One group chat
- One team or channel
- All chats
- Only external or guest users
- Only the desktop app
If only one chat is affected, the issue may be related to that conversation, guest access, or permissions.
Update Microsoft Teams
Open Teams.
Select Settings and more near your profile picture.
Choose Check for updates if available.
Allow updates to complete.
Restart Teams and test chat again.
Outdated Teams versions can sometimes cause sync delays or message sending problems.
Sign out and sign back in
If messages are not syncing properly, refresh your account session.
Select your profile picture or initials.
Choose Sign out.
Close Teams fully.
Reopen Teams and sign in again.
Check whether delayed messages now appear.
Check VPN firewall or security software
Some networks or security tools may interfere with Teams messaging.
If allowed, temporarily disconnect from VPN and test Teams again.
If you are on a work or school device, ask your IT team to check whether firewall, proxy, or filtering rules are affecting Teams.
This is especially likely if messages fail only on one network.
Repair or reset Teams
If chat still does not work correctly in the desktop app, repair or reset Teams.
On Windows, open Settings.
Go to Apps.
Find Microsoft Teams.
Open Advanced options if available.
Select Repair.
If that does not help, select Reset.
Your Teams conversations are stored online, but local app data will be refreshed.
Check whether Microsoft Teams is having a wider issue
If multiple users cannot send or receive messages, the issue may not be local to your device.
For work or school accounts, ask your IT administrator to check Microsoft 365 service health.
If Microsoft is experiencing a Teams messaging incident, local troubleshooting may not fully resolve the issue until the service recovers.
Optional methods or tools
- Use https://teams.microsoft.com while fixing the desktop app
- Try sending messages from the Teams mobile app to compare behaviour
- Disconnect from VPN temporarily if permitted
- Ask another user whether they are receiving messages normally
- Ask IT to check Microsoft 365 service health if many users are affected
Best practices or tips
- Keep Teams updated on all devices
- Avoid leaving Teams open for days without restarting
- Use a stable internet connection for important chats and meetings
- Check whether messages work in Teams web before reinstalling the app
- Report repeated message delays to IT if using a work or school account
Microsoft Teams chat delays are often caused by connection problems, cached app data, or sync issues between the desktop app and Microsoft 365. Testing the same chat at https://teams.microsoft.com is one of the quickest ways to identify whether the installed app is the problem.
If messages are delayed across every device, the issue may be related to your account, network, or the Teams service itself. For business and school users, repeated or widespread Teams chat delays should be checked by IT alongside Microsoft 365 service health.
