Others

Fix Microsoft Forms Showing Previous Responses in Teams

Camila Milosovich Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users see previous or stale form responses when adding an existing Microsoft Form to a Teams channel, despite the form having zero responses on the web.

How to Fix Microsoft Forms Showing Previous Responses in Teams

Product: Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adding an existing Microsoft Form as a tab inside a Microsoft Teams channel.
Observed behavior: The form incorrectly displays old response data in the Teams desktop client, while the web versions of Teams and Forms correctly show that there are no responses.

Before you start

Verify your actual form data by logging into Microsoft Forms on your web browser and checking the channel via Teams for the web to confirm the issue is isolated to your desktop app.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear the Microsoft Teams Desktop App Cache

Clearing the Teams cache forces the desktop application to fetch fresh data, resolving the bug that displays stale form responses.

When the Teams desktop client caches old data, it may fail to sync correctly with the live Microsoft Forms server. Clearing the temporary files will prompt the app to download the latest, accurate state of your form without deleting your chats or files.

Close Microsoft Teams

Right-click the Teams icon in your taskbar or system tray and select 'Quit' to ensure the application is completely closed.

Access the Cache Folder

Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type '%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams' and press Enter.

Delete Cache Files

Select all files and folders within this directory and delete them to remove the cached data.

Restart and Verify

Relaunch Microsoft Teams, navigate to your channel, and add the existing Microsoft Form again to see if the data displays correctly.

Clear the Microsoft Teams Desktop App Cache

Cache Cleared: Once the cache is cleared, your Microsoft Form should sync properly and display the accurate zero-response state.

Solution 2

Update or Reinstall Microsoft Teams

If clearing the cache does not fix the syncing issue, updating or reinstalling the app ensures you are not dealing with a bug specific to an older software version.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Team's Productivity with WPS Office

If you are experiencing continuous syncing issues with Microsoft apps, consider WPS Office as a lightweight, free alternative. It offers powerful tools for document creation and data collection with full compatibility for Microsoft Office formats, a familiar UI, and seamless migration.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open Your Files: Directly open your existing .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx files without worrying about formatting loss.
3. Collaborate Seamlessly: Use WPS Office's built-in sharing features to work effortlessly with your team members.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Lightweight design ensures fast performance without heavy cache issues.Includes free templates and features suitable for team collaboration and data collection.Familiar and intuitive user interface makes migrating completely seamless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Teams show old form responses?

This usually happens when the Microsoft Teams desktop client caches old background data. The app relies on this cached data instead of syncing properly with the live Microsoft Forms server, causing it to display stale information.

How can I check if the form responses are real or just a cache error?

Open the form directly in Microsoft Forms on your web browser, or access your Teams channel via Teams for the web. If the old responses are missing there but still show on your desktop, it is definitively a local cache issue.

Will clearing the Teams cache delete my chats or files?

No, clearing the Microsoft Teams cache will not delete your messages, shared files, or channel configurations. It only removes temporary local data used to speed up the application's loading times.

Office Quick Solutions