Elapsed time

Question

Hi ,

help me out why my teams showing elapsed time instead of running time.

Answer 1

Hello @Pavithra Palani

As an initial troubleshooting step, I recommend reinstalling the Teams application and clearing the Teams cache to eliminate any potential issues caused by corrupted local data. Additionally, please check whether the same behavior occurs when accessing Teams through the web browser (teams.microsoft.com). This will help determine whether the issue is specific to the desktop application or affects Teams more broadly.

To help me better understand the issue, could you please provide:

• A screenshot of the error message or the unexpected behavior you are experiencing. (please make sure to remove PII or you can reproduce with a test meeting or chat)
• The version of Microsoft Teams currently installed on the affected device.
• Confirmation of whether the issue occurs in both the Teams desktop application and Teams web app.
• Information on whether other users within your organization are experiencing the same issue or if it is affecting only a single user.

Once I have this information, I will be able to provide more targeted guidance and recommendations.

I look forward to your reply.

Answer 2

The issue may be caused by a missing or pending Teams update. First, check for available updates. If Teams is already updated, clear the app data and cache, restart Teams, and sign in again.

Answer 3

Update and restart New Teams first; the --:-- display likely means the elapsed-duration counter is not initializing correctly, rather than showing a configurable alternative to meeting duration.

1. Update and test New Teams

1. In Teams, select Update at the top of the window.
2. Select Update and restart Teams.
3. Join a new meeting and check whether the counter begins at 00:00.

Teams normally updates while idle, but an available update can be installed immediately this way.^1^

A recent report describes the same --:-- symptom in New Teams Personal, but it has no accepted resolution and does not establish that Teams for business has the same underlying defect.^2^

2. Compare the desktop and web clients

Join the same meeting through Teams on the web.

• Web counts normally: The issue is limited to the desktop client on that device. Continue with the targeted reset below.
• Web also shows --:--: Do not reset the desktop app yet. This indicates the problem is not limited to its local data; escalate it to your organization’s IT or Microsoft 365 administrator.

The built-in elapsed-time display is part of the meeting interface and has no setting to hide or disable it.^3^

3. If it is desktop-only, reset New Teams

Resetting removes local Teams app data, including personalization settings. It is a targeted diagnostic attempt, not a confirmed fix for this exact counter problem.

Windows

1. Quit Teams from the taskbar/system tray.
2. Open Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
3. Find Microsoft Teams, select … → Advanced options.
4. Under Reset, select Reset.
5. Reopen Teams, sign in, and test a new meeting.

Alternatively, quit Teams, press Windows+R, open the following folder, delete its contents, and restart Teams:

%userprofile%\appdata\local\Packages\MSTeams_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Microsoft\MSTeams

macOS

1. Quit New Teams completely.
2. Open Finder → Applications → Utilities → Terminal.
3. Run:

rm -rf ~/Library/Group\ Containers/UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.teams
rm -rf ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.teams2

4. Reopen Teams and test another meeting.

These are Microsoft’s documented cache-reset procedures for New Teams.^4^

4. Escalate if the problem remains

For Teams for business, ask your IT or Microsoft 365 administrator to:

1. Check Microsoft 365 admin center → Health → Service health for an active Microsoft Teams incident.
2. If no incident is listed, open a Microsoft support request.
3. Provide:
   • Teams version and operating system
   • Screenshot showing --:--
   • Meeting ID and approximate meeting time
   • Affected account
   • Whether it occurs in every meeting
   • Result of the desktop-versus-web test

An administrator with an appropriate Teams role can also locate the user under Teams admin center → Manage users → Meetings & calls and verify that the meeting, join time, and duration are being recorded.^5^

Optionally, submit the UI defect from Teams through Settings and more → Help → Give feedback, but use the administrator/support route for investigation.

---

References

1. Update Microsoft Teams
2. elapsed time counter in the top-left corner has stopped working ...
3. Meeting duration - Microsoft Q&A
4. Clear the Teams client cache
5. Monitor and troubleshoot Teams meetings and calls from the Teams admin ...