- Microsoft Teams accessibility issues can be caused by the app, network issues, organizers, or the device.
- If you’re having trouble joining, try checking your account details and access method.
- The problem may also be with the organizers, so try reaching out to them.
If you’re desperately trying to join an urgent meeting on Microsoft Teams and are frustrated to the point of tearing out chunks of hair, you need a few practical fixes. There are many reasons you might can’t join a Teams meeting, and knowing where things are going wrong can help you fix them.
In this article, we’ll offer solutions for Teams based on your particular problems.
What’s Your Teams ‘Can’t Join Meeting’ Error?
Problems with Microsoft Teams can be caused by a number of factors, not all of them related to the software itself. Your device, your internet connection, and your security settings can all play a part. Before attempting any other fixes, it helps to do the simplest checks first.
Trying the Obvious
These measures may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how often they’re overlooked. Checking these first can also save you time:
- Ensure your device software and Teams software are fully updated.
- Make sure your internet connection is stable and up to handling video conferencing.
- Check to see if your firewall or antivirus is blocking Teams.
- Clear your app cache.
- Restart the app and your device just to be sure.
If none of these work, it’s time to try other fixes.
I Can’t Join a Meeting via the Link
If you’re struggling to join an event invite from your calendar or an email, then the problem might be with your account or the version of Teams you’re using. To fix this, you can try:
- Accessing Teams in a different way – If you’re using the desktop app, try to join via your smartphone app or browser access instead. Try different browsers, too, if need be. Safari, for example, doesn’t support Teams.
- Check your account – Are you properly logged in to your Teams account on your device? A different Microsoft account might not have access to the meeting link. Some meetings might not allow for Guest accounts either.
- Open the link directly – If you can, either right-click on the meeting link or tap and hold to copy the hyperlink to the clipboard. From there, paste it into your browser and search.
- Try Private – If your normal browser isn’t processing, your account details may be interfering somehow. Open up a private (or incognito) window on your browser and try the link again.
I’m Not Allowed to Join
If you’re getting an error message about access, e.g., “Your organizational policy doesn’t allow you to join this meeting,” then your current account and its permissions might not allow you to join the call. You can:
- Change accounts – You might be logged out of your correct Teams account or be using a Personal account. Check your login credentials.
- Reach out to your organization – Access can involve an error on the other side. Check with your company or group to let them know you aren’t being allowed in. If the meeting is locked and you know you should have access, contact the organizers to let them know.
I’m Stuck in the Lobby
If you’re waiting, waiting, and still waiting in the lobby, odds are pretty good that the organizer hasn’t let you in from their side. If you can, contact them via a different channel (email, text, etc.). Some organizers may not know that access restrictions (i.e., “People in my organization”) can prevent members from even accessing the lobby.
If the lobby is full, you won’t be let in. Wait a few minutes before trying to enter.
My Request Is Timed Out
If you’ve waited 30 minutes to be let into a call, you’ll be kicked automatically. You can:
- Retry – Log back into the lobby via the link and continue waiting.
- Contact the organizer – Let the organizer know that you’re waiting via another app or contact method.
