Missing A Chat Button In Microsoft Teams Meeting? Try This

Are you desperately trying to understand why you can’t find the chat button in Microsoft Teams?

Unfortunately, this is a known issue and can be super frustrating when it happens, especially when your boss is asking for your opinion.

You wouldn’t believe how many people are in the same situation as you. Luckily, with the help of this article, you’ll be able to solve this problem in no time.

Try these 5 simple fixes to find the chat button in Microsoft Teams:

1. Force quit Microsoft Teams.
2. Ask the host of the meeting.
3. Clear your cache.
4. Update Microsoft Teams.
5. Reinstall the app.

Read on to solve the problem!

#1 Force Quit Microsoft Teams

You may not this, but more than 270 million people use Microsoft Teams to collaborate with their teams or stay connected with their loved ones.

Sadly, the app isn’t perfect. You wouldn’t believe how many people have complained about not being able to find the chat button while they’re in a meeting.

Sometimes no amount of users seems to be enough for the app to fix its performance issues. But, don’t worry. I’m here to help.

The easiest way to solve this issue is by force quitting Microsoft Teams and opening it again.

You see, sometimes bugs and glitches can interfere with the way Microsoft Teams works and can cause multiple issues while trying to join a meeting.

By force quitting the app, you’ll close every process that is running in the back and restart it from scratch.

Follow these simple steps to force quit Microsoft Teams:

Windows PC:

1. Right-click on the Microsoft Teams icon located in your taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
2. Click on “Quit”.

You can also quit Microsoft Teams by opening the Task Manager, clicking on the app, and selecting “End Task”.

Mac:

1. Press the Option + Command + Escape keys at the same time.
2. Click on Microsoft Teams and select “Force Quit”.
3. Click on “Force Quit” again to confirm the process.

If you can’t find the chat button while using the app’s mobile version, follow these quick steps:

Android:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on “Apps & Notifications” and select Microsoft Teams.
3. Select “Force Stop”.

iPhone:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen. Then, pause in the middle of the screen. If your iPhone has a home button, please double-click it.
2. Swipe up on Microsoft Teams.

Once you’ve fully closed the app, please launch it and join your meeting again. You should be able to find the chat button without further trouble. But, if it’s still missing, chances are the host disabled it.

#2 Ask the Host of the Meeting

Sometimes organizations or schools disable the chat feature to avoid distractions.

However, if you’re required to write your opinion on the chat, you’ll need to remind the host of the meeting to enable it.

But if you’re hosting the meeting and the chat is disabled, follow this guide to enable it:

1. Enter Microsoft Teams admin center and sign in to your account.
2. Go to the dashboard and select “Messaging policies”.
3. Click on the name of your organization.
4. Turn on the switch next to “Chat”.
5. Select “Save”.

#3 Clear Your Cache

If you read the title and have no idea what “cache” means, I got you.

You can think of your cache as your app’s short-term memory. This is where it stores files that you access frequently, such as background images, scripts, fonts, and much more.

This way, instead of downloading this data from its servers, it will load it quickly from your cache folder.

Although your cache has great benefits, it may be the reason the chat button is missing in Teams.

You see, if the files stored in your cache become damaged or don’t match the ones on the web server, you may experience all sorts of tech issues while trying to join a meeting.

Try clearing your cache folder to free up some storage space on your device and get rid of any corrupted files that are causing the issue. Follow this quick guide to do it:

Windows PC:

1. Force quit the app and type “Run” on the search bar at the bottom of your screen. Then, hit Enter.
2. Type “%appdata%\ Microsoft\Teams”
3. Delete every folder.

Mac:

1. Close Microsoft Teams and open Finder. Then, click on “Go”.
2. Select “Go to Folder” from the drop-down menu.
3. Type “~/Library/Applications Support/Microsoft” in the text field and click on “Go”.
4. Right-click on the “teams” folder and click on “Move to Trash” or “Move to Bin”.
5. Open the Spotlight Search (you’ll just need to click on the magnifier glass icon at the top of your screen)
6. Type “Keychain” and select “Keychain Access”.
7. Search for Microsoft Teams and right-click on “Microsoft Teams Identities Cache”. Then, select “Delete”.

If you’re using your phone and can’t find the chat button, follow these steps to clear the app’s cache:

Android:

1. Go to the Settings menu and tap on “Storage”.
2. Select “Apps” and tap on Microsoft Teams.
3. Tap on “Clear Cache”.

If you have an iPhone, you’ll need to reinstall the app to clear its cache.

Tip: If your Microsoft Teams is stuck on the welcome message, try this fix.

#4 Update Microsoft Teams

Moving on, I’d like you to check if the app is running on its latest version.

You see, Microsoft tries to maintain its high standards by releasing new versions that improve the app’s performance and fix any bugs that may be causing issues, such as not being able to find the chat icon in a meeting.

Microsoft Teams usually updates in the back, but this is not set in stone. Sadly, a bad Internet connection can interrupt the process.

Don’t worry, though. You can still manually update the app. Follow this guide to do it:

Desktop app:

1. Please make sure you have a good Internet connection. Then, launch Teams and click on the three-dots icon next to your profile picture at the top of your screen.
2. Select “Check for updates” from the drop-down menu.
3. Microsoft Teams will install the latest updates while you work.

iPhone:

1. Turn on your mobile data or connect to a strong Wi-Fi signal. Then, go to the App Store.
2. Search for Microsoft Teams and tap on “Update”.

Android:

1. Make sure you’re connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal and go to the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on your profile icon at the top of your screen.
3. Select “Manage apps & device” and tap on “Manage”.
4. Search for Microsoft Teams.
5. Tap on “Update”.

Tip: If your Microsoft Teams keeps going offline, try this fix.

#5 Reinstall the App

If you’ve tried all the fixes above, but the chat button is still missing, it’s time for us to reinstall Microsoft Teams.

I know this may sound like a tedious thing to do, especially when you’re in a hurry. But, believe me, this is one of the most effective ways to restart the app from scratch and get rid of the bugs and corrupted files that didn’t go away by clearing your cache or updating the app.

Follow these quick steps to reinstall Microsoft Teams:

Windows PC:

1. Click on the Windows icon at the bottom of your screen.
2. Type “Control Panel” and hit enter. Click on “Uninstall a program” under “Programs”.
3. Search for Microsoft Teams and right-click on it. Then, select “Uninstall”.
4. Enter Microsoft Team’s website and click on “Download for desktop” to reinstall it.

Mac:

1. Open Finder and go to the Applications folder.
2. Search for Teams and drag it to the trash bin icon.
3. Click on “Finder” and select “Empty Trash”.
4. Reinstall the app by going to Microsoft Store’s website or opening the App Store.

iPhone:

1. Go to the home screen. Then, press and hold on the Microsoft Teams icon.
2. Select “Remove app”. A message will pop up.
3. Tap on “Delete app” to confirm the process.
4. Go to the App Store, search for Microsoft Teams, and tap on the arrow icon to install it.

Android:

1. Go to the Google Play Store and tap on your profile icon.
2. Select “Manage apps and device”.
3. Go to the “Manage” tab and search for Microsoft Teams.
4. Tap on “Uninstall”.
5. Go back to the Google Play Store and reinstall the app.

Conclusion

I know this was a lot, but I hope this article has helped give you some more confidence in solving the issue.

Remember that the easiest way to find the chat button in Microsoft Teams when it’s missing is by force quitting the app. Moreover, clearing your cache and updating or reinstalling the app can help you fix the problem.

But, if that doesn’t work, don’t forget to talk to the host of the meeting and ask them to enable the chat.

Thank you so much for reading this article and taking the time to try the 5 fixes above. If you ever have a different tech issue, don’t forget to check out our content. We love helping people tackle everyday problems.

Good luck!