Office Settings & Configuration

Fix SharePoint Communication Site Opening in Browser Instead of Teams

Ayan Masood Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need to resolve an issue where a modern SharePoint communication site fails to load inside the Microsoft Teams client and instead launches in an external web browser.

Fix SharePoint Communication Site Opening in Browser Instead of Teams

Product: Microsoft Teams and SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Accessing a customized SharePoint communication site embedded in a Teams channel or deployed via Viva Connections.
Observed behavior: The SharePoint site or specific links within the embedded site open in an external web browser, disrupting the user's workflow inside Microsoft Teams.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary channel owner or administrator permissions to modify tabs in Microsoft Teams and verify site settings in your SharePoint environment.

Solution 1Recommended

Re-add the SharePoint Site as a Dedicated Tab

Adding the site using the specific SharePoint tab app rather than a generic Website link ensures proper integration and prevents external browser pop-outs.

Often, users add a SharePoint site URL using the 'Website' tab in Microsoft Teams. This forces the Teams client to treat the link as an external web page, which frequently hands the session over to the default web browser.

Using the native SharePoint tab application ensures Microsoft Teams uses its internal viewer to render the communication site correctly.

Open the affected Teams channel

Navigate to the specific Microsoft Teams channel where the SharePoint site is currently failing to open natively.

Remove the existing tab

Right-click the problematic tab at the top of the channel and select 'Remove' to delete the current configuration.

Add a new SharePoint tab

Click the '+' icon at the top of the channel to add a new tab, and select 'SharePoint' from the available apps list instead of 'Website'.

Select the communication site

Choose the desired communication site, document library, or specific page from the list, then click 'Save' to embed it natively.

Re-add the SharePoint Site as a Dedicated Tab

Check Link Targets: Ensure that the navigation links built inside the SharePoint site are not set to 'Open in new tab', as this will still trigger a web browser launch.

Solution 2

Verify Viva Connections App Setup

If the site is deployed organization-wide using Viva Connections, an incorrect app configuration in the Teams Admin Center could cause the browser redirect.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do individual links in my Teams SharePoint tab still open in a web browser?

This usually happens if the hyperlinked text or image inside your SharePoint page is configured with the 'Open in new tab' behavior. Microsoft Teams respects this web instruction by launching your default external browser. Edit the SharePoint page and change the link behavior to resolve this.

Does Viva Connections natively force external sites to open in a browser?

Yes. While Viva Connections is designed to keep modern SharePoint communication sites within the Teams interface, any link leading to an external domain or non-SharePoint application will be handed off to your device's default web browser for security and compatibility reasons.

How do I capture a recording for Microsoft Support if the issue persists?

You can use built-in tools like the Windows Snipping Tool or generic screen recording software to capture the exact clicking behavior. For deep diagnostics, you can also use your browser's developer tools (F12) to record network activity while reproducing the issue in the Teams web app.

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