How to Fix Microsoft Teams Calls Not Ringing on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Microsoft Teams is a widely used communication tool, but sometimes calls may not ring on Windows 11, causing missed conversations and frustration. This issue can be due to simple settings or system glitches. Fortunately, fixing this problem is usually straightforward.

In this guide, you will find easy, step-by-step solutions to make sure your Teams calls ring properly. Each step includes clear explanations so you understand why it’s necessary.

By following these instructions, you can quickly restore call notifications and stay connected with your team. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into detailed troubleshooting.

Ensuring your calls ring is essential for effective communication, so don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy — these fixes are designed to be simple and effective.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

Before applying any fixes, please verify these basic conditions to save time:

Check your internet connection: A stable connection is required for calls and notifications to work properly.
Ensure Microsoft Teams is up to date: Outdated versions may have bugs affecting call features.
Make sure your device’s sound is not muted or on very low volume.
Confirm you are signed in to Teams with the correct account.

Step 1: Verify Your Teams Notification Settings

Sometimes calls don’t ring because notifications are disabled or set incorrectly in Teams. Here’s how to check:

Open Microsoft Teams.
Click your profile picture at the top right corner.
Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Go to the Notifications tab on the left.
Under Calls, make sure the option for Ringing or Incoming calls is enabled.
If available, check that sounds for calls are turned on.

Why this matters: If Teams notifications are off or muted, the app won’t alert you when a call comes in.

Step 2: Check Windows 11 Notification Settings

Windows 11 controls app notifications globally, so Teams must have permission to send alerts.

Click the Start button and open Settings (gear icon).
Select System and then Notifications.
Scroll down to find Microsoft Teams in the list of apps.
Make sure notifications are turned on for Teams.
Click on Teams to view detailed options and verify that Play a sound when a notification arrives is enabled.

Why this is important: Even if Teams has notifications enabled internally, Windows might block them if its own notification settings are off.

Step 3: Ensure Focus Assist Is Disabled or Configured Properly

Focus Assist is a Windows feature that silences notifications during specific times or activities.

Open Settings and go to System > Focus Assist.
Check if Focus Assist is set to Off. If it’s on, notifications and call rings may be suppressed.
If you want to keep Focus Assist on, customize the rules to allow calls and notifications from Teams.

Why this helps: Focus Assist is designed to reduce distractions but can unintentionally block important call alerts.

Step 4: Check Teams App Permissions in Windows

Teams requires access to your microphone and notifications to function properly during calls.

Open Settings and click on Privacy & security.
Go to Microphone and ensure access is allowed for Teams.
Similarly, check under Notifications permissions that Teams is allowed.

Why this is necessary: Without microphone or notification permissions, Teams cannot alert you or receive calls correctly.

Step 5: Restart Microsoft Teams and Your PC

Sometimes, temporary glitches cause call ringing issues. Restarting the app or your computer can fix these.

Right-click the Teams icon in the taskbar and select Quit.
Wait a few seconds, then reopen Teams from the Start menu.
If the problem persists, restart your Windows 11 PC.

Why this works: Restarting clears temporary bugs and refreshes app and system processes.

Step 6: Clear Teams Cache

Corrupted cache files can cause unexpected behavior including missed call rings. Clearing the cache often helps.

Close Microsoft Teams completely.
Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type %appdata%MicrosoftTeams and press Enter.
Delete all files and folders inside this directory.
Restart Teams and check if calls ring now.

Why this is useful: Clearing cache removes corrupted data that might block notifications or sounds.

Step 7: Update or Reinstall Microsoft Teams

If none of the above work, your Teams app might be outdated or corrupted.

Open Microsoft Teams, click your profile picture, and select Check for updates.
Let the app update and restart.
If updating doesn’t help, uninstall Teams via Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Download the latest version from the official Microsoft Teams website and reinstall it.

Why this step is important: Updates fix bugs and reinstalling resets the app to default working conditions.

FAQs

Why are my Teams calls not ringing even though notifications are on?

This can happen if Windows Focus Assist is enabled or if Teams doesn’t have the right permissions. Make sure Focus Assist is off and notifications are allowed for Teams in Windows settings.

How do I test if call notifications work in Teams?

You can ask a colleague to call you or use the Teams test call feature to verify if the call rings.

Can antivirus software block Teams call notifications?

Yes, some antivirus or firewall programs might block notifications or network access. Temporarily disable them to check if they are causing the issue.

Does Teams ringing depend on system sound settings?

Absolutely. Ensure your device volume is up and not muted. Also, check if the correct playback device is selected.

Is this issue common on Windows 11 only?

No, call ringing problems can occur on other versions of Windows too, but Windows 11’s new notification system sometimes requires extra attention.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps and still face issues, consider these final options:

Use the Teams Web app: Open teams.microsoft.com in a browser and check if calls ring there.
Contact your IT administrator: Sometimes company policies or network settings can block notifications.
Visit Microsoft Support: The official Microsoft Teams support page offers in-depth help.
Reset Windows notification settings: As a last resort, resetting Windows notification settings via system restore or troubleshooting tools can fix deeply rooted problems.

Conclusion

Microsoft Teams calls not ringing on Windows 11 can be caused by notification settings, Focus Assist, permissions, or app glitches. By following the simple steps outlined here—checking Teams and Windows notifications, disabling Focus Assist, granting permissions, restarting the app, clearing cache, and updating or reinstalling Teams—you can restore your call alerts quickly.

Remember to do the basic checks first, then move to more advanced fixes if needed. If issues persist, use the web app or seek official support. With these solutions, you’ll stay connected and never miss an important call again.