MS Teams Free suddenly won't download attachments

Carla Zappala 20 Reputation points
2026-01-31T14:18:15.0866667+00:00

Yesterday my Teams Free was working fine in the morning, I could download attachments from chats. Then suddenly, I clicked on files and nothing happened. There was no warning, the issue is not a file permissions thing as I cannot even download files that previously were accessible. The only workaround is to downlod them from Team Web, but this is a massive inconvenience and adds multiple extra steps that I could do without.

I have tried multiple 'fixes' - all to no avail:

  1. In Files and Links I have set the download location to a different folder - I have tried this with 'Always ask where to save' both on and off.
  2. I have emptied the cache
  3. In Windows settings - Apps etc. I have tried both the Repair and Reset buttons.
  4. I have made sure that Windows Ransomware Protection Controlled Folder Access is set to 'Off'
  5. I have uninstalled Teams Free and did a completely fresh reinstall.
  6. I have uninstalled Teams Free and installed a slightly older version - since the udates were last checked on the day the problem occurred, I figured that an update had caused the problem, and hoped that a roll back would fix it - I was wrong!

Nothing works. I have downloaded the support logs, and my brother - who is a skilled software engineer (PhD Level) - can find nothing in them to suggest why this is happening.

I am out of ideas - hoping someone out there has the magic fix!

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams Free | Files
Answer accepted by question author
Ruwim.B 6,900 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2026-01-31T18:53:57.1166667+00:00

What is the version number of your Teams application?

I have just updated Teams app on another computer with another Teams account. The version number of this update is 26005.213.4315.4117. The Download feature works on this update too, but there is some peculiarity with the Settings -> Files and links page.

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The labels on this page are just place holders, but the buttons work. This often happens after a new update, but the issue is usually resolved after restarting the app. However, this was not the case with this update.

If there is an issue with your particular update, then I would suggest joining the "Insider" program.

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After joining the Insider program, the application should be updated to this latest Insider version, which I'm currently using on my Windows computer.

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  1. Carla Zappala 20 Reputation points
    2026-01-31T17:46:08.4066667+00:00

    Previously, when I clicked on the download option the file would save to the folder set in Files and links (Downloads). The problem is that in the middle of Friday it suddenly stopped doing that. I click on the file as I always have, but now nothing happens. The file is not downloaded and the Download folder remains as it was - there is just no response to clicking on the Download option. I have tried changing the location that files should be downloaded to, and have tried it with the 'Always ask where to save' option both on and off. Nothing happens when I click on the Download option, no matter what I do.

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  2. Daniele 0 Reputation points
    2026-02-02T15:26:36.73+00:00

    Good evening,

    I'd like to point out that I've encountered this problem as well.

    I followed the steps above, but when I click on download, nothing happens.

    Suggestions are welcome.

    Thanks everyone.

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  4. Carla Zappala 20 Reputation points
    2026-02-02T18:01:29.0633333+00:00

    I am not sure why, but my reply from yesterday to Ruwim B's answer of Jan 31, 2026, 6:53 PM seems to have been deleted!

    All I said was that having joined the Insider Program as he suggested, a new version of Teams was installed - same number as I had before, and as he said he had, but with 'Teams Insider' in brackets after, and now I have the download function back.

    This is the only thing that has fixed it for ma, and I would like (again!) to express my thanks to Ruwin B for this suggestion. Perfect!

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