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Fixing 'Teams App Freezing During Calls'

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How to Fix 'Teams App Freezing During Calls': Simple Troubleshooting Tips

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of an important virtual meeting or a catch-up call with your team on Teams, only to have the app freeze on you? It's frustrating, to say the least. But don't worry! There are some relatively easy fixes you can try before hitting the panic button. Keep reading to learn how to troubleshoot the Microsoft Teams app freezing issue during calls in simple terms.

Why Does Teams Freeze During Calls?

Before diving into the solutions, it's helpful to understand why Teams might be freezing up. The main culprits usually include an unstable internet connection, outdated app versions, insufficient system resources, or conflicts with other software. Knowing this, let’s explore how you can tackle these issues.

Check Your Internet Connection

An unstable internet connection is one of the most common reasons for Teams (or any video conferencing app) to freeze during calls. Here's what you can do:

  • Test Your Speed: Use websites like Speedtest by Ookla to check your internet speed. If your upload and download speeds are significantly lower than your plan's promised speeds, there may be an issue.
  • Improve Connectivity: If possible, switch to a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi. This can often provide a more stable and faster connection. You can also try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or removing obstacles that might block the signal.

Update Teams

Running an outdated version of the Teams app can lead to performance issues, including freezing. To fix this:

  • Check for Updates: On Teams, click on your profile picture at the top right corner, then select "Check for updates." The app will then search for and install any available updates.
  • Reinstall Teams: If updates don’t seem to do the trick, try uninstalling and then reinstalling Teams. This can refresh the app’s settings and files, potentially solving the issue.

Close Unnecessary Programs

If your computer is running several programs simultaneously, it could be exhausting system resources, which might make Teams freeze. Try closing any applications or browser tabs you don’t need during the call. This will free up memory and processing power, potentially smoothing out Teams' performance.

Adjust Teams Settings

Sometimes, adjusting the settings within Teams itself can help alleviate issues:

  • Turn Off Background Effects: Fancy backgrounds and filters are fun but can strain your system. Try turning these off to see if it improves call quality.
  • Reduce Video Quality: In the settings menu, you can also opt to reduce the video quality of the call, which can help if your internet connection or computer can't handle high-quality video very well.

Update Your Drivers

Out-of-date drivers, especially your graphics driver, can cause video-related software like Teams to freeze. To update your drivers:

  • Windows Update: Often, the easiest way to update your drivers is through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click on "Check for updates."
  • Manufacturer’s Website: Alternatively, you can go directly to your computer or graphics card manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers.

Disable Hardware Acceleration

Some users have found that disabling hardware acceleration in Teams helps solve the freezing issue. Hardware acceleration is where certain tasks, usually related to graphics, are offloaded to hardware components instead of being processed by the software. Here’s how to disable it:

  • In Teams, click on your profile picture > Settings.
  • Look for the "Disable hardware acceleration" option and enable it.
  • Restart Teams.

Check for Conflicting Software

Sometimes, other software installed on your computer could conflict with Teams, causing it to freeze. Antivirus software, in particular, is known to occasionally cause issues. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to see if that solves the problem. If it does, you might need to add an exception for Teams in your antivirus settings.

When All Else Fails: Contact Support

If you've tried all the above solutions and Teams is still freezing during calls, it might be time to reach out for help. Contact your IT department if you're using Teams for work. For personal use, you can head to the Microsoft Teams support page for further assistance.

Wrapping Up

Teams freezing during calls can disrupt your workflow and cause unnecessary stress. Fortunately, with the troubleshooting tips outlined above, you should be able to identify and fix the issue relatively easily. Remember, start with the simplest solutions first, like checking your internet connection, and then work your way down the list. Here's to smoother, freeze-free calls ahead!