Teams status stuck on Away or Out of office? How to fix it
Your status says Away, Out of office or In a meeting, and it won't change no matter what you click. Here's how to find out what's setting it and how to clear it, step by step.
First, work out which kind of stuck it is
"Stuck" covers a few different problems with different causes. Microsoft's User presence in Teams page explains where each status comes from, which points to the fix:
| What you see | Most likely cause | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Away, and it doesn't go back to Available when you return | A sync problem, or another device setting your presence | Steps 1, 4 and 5 below |
| Out of office, or "Available, Out of Office" | Automatic replies are on, or a calendar event is set to show as Out of Office | Step 3 |
| Busy or In a meeting when you're not in one | Your Outlook calendar | Step 3 |
| A status you picked days ago | A manual status that hasn't expired yet | Step 2 |
| Offline while you're signed in | Sleep mode, or not signed in on any device | Steps 4 and 5 |
Step 1: Reset your status
Select your profile picture, select your current status, then select Reset status. Microsoft's status help page lists this as the way to undo a status you set. When a status you set ends, Teams goes back to setting it "based on your activity, your calendar, and the state of your computer."
Step 2: Check for a manual status you forgot about
A status you set by hand lasts longer than most people expect. If you don't choose a duration, Microsoft says a manual status stays:
- Indefinitely if it's Appear offline
- For 1 day if it's Busy or Do not disturb
- For 7 days if it's any other status
There's also a rule that catches people out: outside calls and meetings, you can only choose a status that is less available than the one Teams calculated. If Teams has you as Do not disturb, you can pick Away, but not Available. So if Available won't stick, look for whatever is setting the less available status, usually your calendar or automatic replies.
Step 3: Out of office or Busy that won't clear
Teams shows Out of Office "when an automatic reply is set or your calendar has an event set to show as Out of Office." Check both:
- Automatic replies. In Teams, select your profile picture, choose Set status message, then Schedule out of office. Turn off Turn on automatic replies and select Save. Microsoft notes that this setting syncs with Outlook, so it can also be on because you set it in Outlook (source).
- Calendar events. Look for an event on your calendar that shows you as Out of Office, including ones you accepted from someone else, such as a team holiday or a colleague's time-off invite. Change how it shows your time, or remove it.
- In a meeting. Microsoft says this comes from your Outlook calendar, so a meeting that's still on your calendar will keep showing you as in a meeting.
Step 4: Check your other devices
If you're signed in on several devices, Microsoft says the device where you were active most recently determines your presence. On a phone, you become Away whenever the Teams app is in the background. An old laptop, a meeting-room PC or your phone can all be the device Teams is listening to. Sign out of the ones you're not using.
Step 5: Restart Teams, and clear the cache if that doesn't help
Quit Teams completely and open it again. On the web, sign out and back in. If the desktop app is still wrong, Microsoft's Clear the Teams client cache article has the steps. For new Teams on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Microsoft Teams, open Advanced options and select Reset. Microsoft warns that resetting deletes app data, including personalization settings, and that clearing the cache isn't a general first step for every Teams problem.
Step 6: Run Microsoft's presence test, or hand it to IT
Microsoft's troubleshooting article, The correct presence status isn't reflected in Teams, covers the case where you go Away after more than five minutes of inactivity and don't come back to Available when you return. Anyone, not just admins, can run the Teams Presence Based on Calendar Events test in Microsoft's Remote Connectivity Analyzer with their own account. Admins can also run the Teams Presence diagnostic in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
If your mailbox is hosted on-premises, Microsoft says presence delays of up to an hour are expected, so some lag isn't a fault.
When "stuck" really means "keeps going Away"
Sometimes Teams isn't stuck at all. It's doing what it was built to do, moving you to Away after a few quiet minutes or when the browser tab is in the background. If that's your problem, these guides are a better fit: Teams on the web shows Away when you switch tabs and Why Teams shows you as Away after 5 minutes.
If you use Teams in the browser and go yellow while reading or on calls during the work day, Awayproof can keep the Teams tab marked as in use during the hours you choose. It won't fix a stuck Out of office, a calendar problem or a sync fault, and it doesn't override statuses you set yourself. Other limits:
- Teams on the web only (teams.microsoft.com), not the desktop or mobile app.
- The tab has to be open and the browser running.
- Sleep, a closed lid or locking your screen yourself may still show you as Away. Its optional "Keep computer awake" setting prevents sleep and the automatic screen lock while it's active.
- It won't override Busy, Do not disturb or other statuses you set.
- Teams updates can temporarily break it.
A note on workplace policy. Presence indicators are a team communication tool, and some employers have rules about them or about which browser extensions you can install. Whatever you choose, use it in line with your organization's policies. If you're unsure, ask your manager or IT team. Often the simplest fix is to agree with your team that a yellow dot doesn't mean "not working."
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Teams status stuck on Out of office?
Teams shows Out of office when automatic replies are on or your calendar has an event set to show as Out of Office. Turn off automatic replies in Teams or Outlook, and check your calendar for out-of-office events, including ones you accepted from others.
Why can't I set myself to Available?
Outside calls and meetings, Teams only lets you choose a status that is less available than the one it calculated. If your calendar or automatic replies put you in Busy or Out of office, you have to clear that first.
How long does a manual Teams status last?
If you don't set a duration, Microsoft says Appear offline lasts indefinitely, Busy and Do not disturb last 1 day, and any other status lasts 7 days. You can end it early with Reset status.
Will clearing the Teams cache delete my chats?
Microsoft says resetting the new Teams app deletes app data such as personalization settings. It also says clearing the cache doesn't fix chat problems like missing messages, so don't use it for those.
Can Awayproof fix a stuck status?
Not a stuck Out of office, calendar or sync problem. Awayproof only keeps the Teams web tab marked as in use during your work hours, which helps when you keep dropping to Away while working in the browser.