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Microsoft Teams Idle Time Hack: 7 Ways to Never Show Idle

Creating a private meeting is the easiest hack

5 min. read

Updated onJanuary 3, 2024

updated onJanuary 3, 2024

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Key notes

Microsoft Teams users reported that it automatically shows their status asIdleafter 5 minutes, even when they are actively using the PC but have put Teams in the background.

For some, this happened even when the Teams window was in the foreground, but there was no active engagement. Also, if the computer goes to sleep, Teams will automatically change the activity status. To prevent this, there are a few quick hacks that will stop Microsoft Teams from showing you as away!

How do I stop Microsoft Teams from showing idle?

1. Start a meeting and manually set the status to Available

Microsoft Teams will now show your status asAvailableas long as the meeting goes on. Just make sure to do that quickly so that others cannot observe that you have created a one-person meeting toset the status as green.

But remember, admins can check the logs and identify that you have set up a meeting with just you in attendance. So, don’t overuse the hack!

2. Set a status message to show availability

Now, even if Microsoft Teams changes your activity status toIdleafter a few minutes of inactivity, the status message should clearly highlight the fact that you are available. This works best in organizations that don’t prioritize the logged-in hours but call for prompt responses.

3. Increase the time after which the PC goes to sleep

4. Hold the Tab key

Another trick is to open Microsoft Teams and have theTabkey held by placing a small object over it for as long as you are away from the PC. This will keep switching between the available on-screen options and give Microsoft Teams the impression that you are active.

Some users opened the built-in Notepad and had theSpacebarpressed. Other keys likeInsertmay also work.

5. Install Microsoft Teams on your phone

A simpler Microsoft Teams idle time hack for users on the go is to download the app on your mobile phone, set the status toActive, configure the settings so that the display always remains on, and then have the Teams app running. This works best on a spare phone!

If you are at home, keep the phone plugged into charging, and while travelling, use a power bank to never run out of battery.

6. Use a mouse jiggler

A mouse jiggler imitates mouse movements and makes the cursor continuously move, though the deflection is minimal, giving the impression that you are actively engaging. This both prevents the PC from going to sleep and the Microsoft Teams status from changing toIdle.

You can get a USB dongle mouse jiggler or a physical one that creates vibrations to move the actual mouse. A cheaper workaround we found was to keep the mouse on an analog watch. The laser would now track thesecondshand and keep the cursor moving in sync.

7. Use a third-party app

You may also use other similar apps, like Caffeine. Remember, administrators can restrict the installation of third-party apps on work devices, so you may have to rely on other methods.

These Microsoft Teams idle time hacks will work for all. But not everyone should employ these. A few organizations have strict policies regarding the use of such hacks, which may even lead to termination in rare cases.

So, it’s best that you share your concerns with the management and collectively find a way forward so that yourIdlestatus on Microsoft Teams doesn’t become a problem.

Before you leave, find out how tocreate Microsoft Teams avatarsand make meetings a lot more fun!

For any queries or to share your favourite Microsoft Teams idle time hack, drop a comment below.

Microsoft Teams Idle Time Hack: 7 Ways to Never Show Idle#

How do I stop Microsoft Teams from showing idle?#

1. Start a meeting and manually set the status to Available#

2. Set a status message to show availability#

3. Increase the time after which the PC goes to sleep#

4. Hold the Tab key#

5. Install Microsoft Teams on your phone#

6. Use a mouse jiggler#

7. Use a third-party app#