Microsoft Teams update loses call support

Microsoft Teams was updated recently and its most notable feature, for at least some users, is not being able to send or receive calls.

A user on the Microsoft Tech Community board wrote that they now get a message saying ‘this action has been blocked’ whenever they try making a call using the app. The user added that this had been a problem since the last update, with the ability to make calls being blocked for unknown reasons.

The issue was first reported in the answers forum but has popped up in other locations as well. The problem appears to be related to the calling functionality on the app and it affects both Windows 11 Mobile and Windows 11 PCs.

Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done about the issue, though it’s only temporary as a fix is expected in the next update which should arrive soon according to Microsoft.

It’s unclear what exactly caused the bug, but given that this affects both outbound and inbound calls, it seems like users are completely unable to use Teams for telephony at all. It’s also unclear if this issue affects both Android and iOS devices or just one of them.

This is perhaps less than ideal given that Teams is intended as a collaboration and meetings tool. It may also be a concern for those who use Teams for personal reasons, such as staying in touch with friends and family.

Users reports

A number of users are reporting that they can no longer make calls on the Microsoft Teams desktop app. It appears that the latest update broke the ability of the app to access device speakers and microphones.

Several users of the Teams desktop app have reported that the app does not work after an update installation. The error it reports is vague, and Teams cannot access a device’s speakers or microphone.

The problem seems to be limited to a specific subset of Teams users, but it’s unclear how widespread the issue is.

The advice is to use Teams via a web browser because rolling back to a functioning version will be undone by a subsequent Auto Update. The issue has popped up in the Microsoft questions forum.

Microsoft didn’t immediately respond to a request to confirm that it was aware something was wrong. But complaints began appearing on its support site early today.

The fact that there is not more of an outcry about the bug suggests it affects only a small portion of Teams’ monthly users.

Teams growth

Teams is a workplace messaging app that lets professionals communicate, share files, collaborate on documents and spreadsheets, and hold video conferences.

 It is available for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux as well as in the cloud; it’s also offered as part of Microsoft 365. On its recent earnings call, it was noted that many organizations use Teams to handle business workflow.

Like the rival apps Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet, Teams has grown significantly during the COVID pandemic.

In the last two years, usage of third-party applications and custom-built solutions has grown tenfold, with new and updated apps released this quarter by Atlassian, Monday.com, SAP, and Workday, said Nadella, Microsoft CEO.

Added update

After reports of problems sending and receiving calls, Microsoft sent a statement later acknowledging the problem.  

The statement said Microsoft Teams is running normally and the issue that may have prevented a very limited number of users from making or receiving calls in the desktop app had been resolved.

Was your Teams app also affected by the update to Microsoft Teams? Is the problem solved on your side? Please share your views in the comments section.