This post will show you what you can do if Microsoft Teams is not downloading any files. Teams is a comprehensive business communication platform that unifies instant chat, audio calling, and video calling, and allow its users to collaborate through different channels. It also lets them share files with others on the Teams network. Files can simply be uploaded or shared as a ‘link to the file’ on a one-on-one chat, group chat, or on specific channels. While it’s pretty easy to download these files, some users are finding it difficult to download the shared files on their Windows 11/10 PC. This article attempts to solve this issue using some effective solutions.
Why won’t Teams let me download a file?
Microsoft Teams may not allow you to download a file if you don’t have permission for the same. This can also happen due to a network or browser issue. If you’re using the Teams Desktop app, the ‘The file didn’t download‘ error may occur if the file path consists of an apostrophe (‘) character.
Fix Microsoft Teams not downloading files
If Microsoft Teams is not downloading any files, you can fix this issue and successfully download the file using the following solutions:
- Check for file permissions.Check for invalid characters in the file path.Use a different version and then try.Clear MS Teams cache.Download the file using SharePoint Online.
Let us see these in detail.
1] Check for file permissions
Sometimes the shared file can only be opened and viewed by the recipient. If you’re not able to download the file, chances are, the file is being shared with Restrict View permission. Ask your IT/Office 365 admin to check whether you have permission to download the file. If not, you may request the file owner for permission to resolve the file download issue.
2] Check for invalid characters in the file path
” * : ‘ ? / | and leading and trailing spaces are invalid characters that are not allowed in file and folder names in OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online. If the path of the shared file consists of any of these characters, you won’t be able to download the file.
3] Use a different version and then try
Try to download the problematic file by switching to a different version of Teams. For example, if you’re using the desktop version of Teams, try downloading the file using Teams for the web. If you’re already using the browser version, try changing the browser, clearing your browser’s cache, or switching to the desktop or mobile version of the app.
- Sign out from the Microsoft Teams app.Close the app.Launch the WinX menu by right-clicking on the Start button in the Windows taskbar.Click on the Task Manager option.In the Task Manager window, right-click on Microsoft Teams under the Processes tab and click on the End task option.Open File Explorer.Copy %appdata%MicrosoftTeams and paste it into the address bar of the File Explorer.Press the Enter key.Select and delete the entire content of the Teams folder.Reboot your device and launch the Teams app.
Note: If you’re not able to find the Teams folder, your files may not be synced to File Explorer on your Windows 11/10 PC. To sync shared files in a channel, go to the Files tab and click on the Sync option. This will sync your files on OneDrive for Business, which is different from your personal OneDrive account.
5] Download the file using SharePoint Online
Read Next: How to Restrict Editing of Uploaded documents in Microsoft Teams.