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How to Fix Gray Photos in Microsoft Teams on Android

Emma Brown Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are trying to view photos in the Microsoft Teams mobile app but they fail to load and display as gray boxes.

How to Fix Gray Photos in Microsoft Teams on Android

Product: Microsoft Teams
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Viewing images and media shared within Microsoft Teams chats or channels.
Observed behavior: Photos fail to load and instead appear as gray boxes with a line through them.

Before you start

Verify if the issue is limited to the mobile app by signing into Microsoft Teams on the web. If photos load correctly in your browser, the problem is specific to your Android device or app installation.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Cache and Update Microsoft Teams

Clearing the app cache resolves temporary data glitches that prevent images from loading.

Over time, the Microsoft Teams app stores temporary data to load chats faster. If this cached data becomes corrupted, it can cause media rendering issues such as gray boxes.

Access App Settings

Open your Android Settings app, navigate to 'Apps' or 'App Management', and select 'Teams' from the list.

Clear App Cache

Tap on 'Storage' or 'Storage usage', then tap the 'Clear Cache' button. Do not tap 'Clear Data' unless you want to log out completely.

Update the App

Open the Google Play Store, search for Microsoft Teams, and tap 'Update' if a new version is available.

Restart Device

Restart your Android phone and open Teams to see if the images load properly.

Safe Process: Clearing the cache will not delete your chat history, files, or login credentials.

Solution 2

Check Permissions and Reinstall the App

If clearing the cache fails, incorrect permissions or a corrupted app installation might be the cause.

Solution 3

Test on a Different Network

Network restrictions or unstable connections can prevent media files from downloading.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my photos showing as gray boxes in Microsoft Teams?

This usually happens due to a corrupted app cache, lack of storage permissions, or a poor internet connection preventing the images from downloading to your Android device.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Teams delete my chat history?

No, reinstalling Microsoft Teams will not delete your chat history. All your messages and shared files are stored on Microsoft's cloud servers and will sync back automatically once you log in.

How do I grant storage permissions to Teams on Android?

Open your Android Settings, go to Apps, find Microsoft Teams, tap on Permissions, and allow access to Photos and Videos (or Storage/Files and Media, depending on your Android version).

Can a VPN cause images to not load in Teams?

Yes, a VPN can sometimes interfere with the app's ability to connect securely to Microsoft servers, preventing media from downloading. Try temporarily disabling your VPN to see if the photos load.

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