- Ensure your status is manually set to Available in Microsoft Teams to avoid automatic changes.
- Adjust your device’s sleep settings to ensure that Teams stays active when you’re not using your computer.
- Use mouse jiggler software or adjust your PC’s power settings to simulate activity and prevent the Away status.
Fix 1: Manually Reset Your Status Active on Teams
On Windows or Mac
Step 1 : Launch Microsoft Team , depending on your operating system.
Note : For demonstration purposes, we are going with Mac.
Step 2 : Once launched, click on your profile picture at the top right corner of your screen.
Step 3 : Click on the Availability option .
Step 4 : In the drop-down menu, select (green) Available .
On Android or iOS
The steps are the same for both Android and iOS. However, for the sake of demonstration, we will go with Android.
Step 1 : Launch Teams on your device, and from the home page, tap on your profile .
Step 2 : In the sidebar, tap Offline, and from the drop-down, select Available .
There you have it. You have successfully changed your availability setting and stopped Microsoft Teams from showing Away after 5 minutes. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, move on to the following method.
Also Read : How to change Microsoft Teams notification sound
Fix 2: Check for MS Teams App Updates
On Windows or Mac
Step 1 : Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Microsoft Teams , and click Open .
Note : On Mac, press the Command+Space keys, type Teams, and hit Return.
Step 2 : Once Teams launches, click the three-dot icon next to the profile picture.
Step 3 : From the drop-down menu, click on Check for updates .
On Android or iOS
When it comes to updating Microsoft Teams on an Android or iOS device, there is no in-app option like with Desktop. If you want to update the app, go to the Google Play Store or App Store, depending on whether you are on Android or iOS.
You can check out our explainer to learn how to check if apps need an update on iPhone and Android . If updating the app didn’t resolve the issue, move on to the next method.
Fix 3: Set a Status Message on Teams
A handy workaround is to set a status message that your colleagues and manager will see when they message or @mention you. So, even if your Team’s status shows Away, your team members know you are available. Let’s begin with the steps for the Teams desktop app.
On Windows or Mac
Step 1 : Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Microsoft Teams , and click Open .
Note : On Mac, press the Command+Space keys, type Teams , and hit Return.
Step 2 : Once Teams launches, click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Step 3 : From the drop-down, click the Set status message .
Step 4 : Type your status message, tick the box next to Show when people message me , and click Done .
Note : You can change the default set Clear status message after from Today to 1 hour, 4 hours, This Week, or Never.
On Android or iOS
For demonstration purposes, we will only go over Android. However, the steps are the same for both Android and iOS.
Step 1 : Launch the Teams mobile app and tap on your profile picture or first-name alphabet icon.
Step 2 : From the left pane, tap the Set status message .
Step 3 : Now, type your status message in the text section, toggle Show when people message me , and click the check mark in the top right corner.
That’s about it. You have set yourself a Teams status, letting others know you are available. If none of the methods worked, check out the last method; keep reading.
Also Read : Ways to keep Microsoft Teams status green all the time
Fix 4: Use Third-party Apps to Keep the System Available
Using third-party apps or utilities to keep Microsoft Teams available can be a helpful workaround for preventing it from going into an idle or inactive state. We recommend using Move Mouse for Windows and Jiggler for Mac, even though a wide variety of third-party software is available.
By using these apps, you will remain active, and your Microsoft Teams status will not be set to inactive or away. Moreover, you can receive notifications and messages from Teams if your computer is awake and active.
It is important to note that these third-party tools are not official solutions and may not be officially supported by Microsoft or other software providers. Be aware of potential compatibility issues as well as security concerns.
The Away status may affect how others perceive your availability, but it does not block incoming calls or messages. Your presence status (e.g., Available or Busy) can also influence how others reach out to you.
Yes, actively participating in screen sharing or meetings in Microsoft Teams can often prevent your status from changing to Away, even if there is no other computer activity.
Depending on your organization’s policies, administrators may be able to enforce certain status settings. Check with your IT department or Teams administrators for specific policies.
Now that you know how to fix Microsoft Teams keeps showing away, you can fix the issue and enhance your overall Microsoft Teams experience.
