ms teams can't see presentation

What to do if you can’t see a shared presentation or video in Teams?

A few days ago, i was participating in a Microsoft Teams meeting with several colleagues and customers. I then noticed that the presenter was describing a slide which i wasn’t able to see. I then opened a private chat with a colleague and quickly understood that the presentation was fully visible to other participants but not to me.

In this short post i would like to describe the simple troubleshooting process i went through to be able to access that presentation. I use a Windows 10 operating system, so this should be relevant for previous Windows versions. Took 2 minutes and i was up and running.

Can’t join / view Microsoft Teams presentation – how to fix?

Step #1: check your network.

I initially thought the issue was related to my Virtual Private Network connection (VPN). I disconnected, and the issue wasn’t solved. I then look into the WIFI signal in home office – all good. Problem still there.

Step #2: Re-start Microsoft Teams

Quit and restart the Microsoft Teams app.

• From the Windows taskbar (bottom of your screen), find the Microsoft Teams icon.
• Make a right Click and hit Quit .
• Then from taskbar hit the Search icon (Magnifying Glass).
• Then type Microsoft Teams and hit Enter to launch the application.
• Next step was to try again to view the presentation, again – no luck.

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Step #3: Clear Teams cache

My third step was to reset the application cache. Here’s how that is done:

• First off, quit Microsoft Teams. Note that Teams won’t allow you to clear the cache if the app is still running in the background.
• From the Task bar, hit the Search button. Alternatively, use the Windows button + S shortcut.
• Type %appdata% .
• The Windows Explorer dialog will open. Now navigate to the Microsoft folder.
• You’ll see a folder named Teams . Make a copy of that folder, and store it in a safe place in your PC.
• Now enter the Teams folder and delete the Cache folder.
• Restart Teams, the problem should be gone.

Follow up question: How to Share Powerpoints in Teams Meetings

Here is a question from Wendy:

Hello folks, i work as a consulting in an IT software firm. So far used Webex and now transitioned to Microsoft Teams. I understand that there are several techniques to share pptx slides in Microsoft Teams for Windows. Specifically i am interested to share my presentation without showing the presenter notes to the participants (i still would like to view my notes though). One extra requirement is to be able to view the participants list and video feed of those connecting using their cameras. Any pointers are appreciated.

Thanks for the question. There are several ways to show your slides in a Teams meeting. We’ll focus on the most prevalent ones.

• Using the PowerPoint Slide view shared over Teams.
• Using your PowerPoint Presenter View and two screens
• Using the Microsoft Teams PowerPoint live sharing

Note: We developed this answer using Windows but this will work almost perfectly in PowerPoint and Teams for macOS.

Share the PowerPoint Slide View

This is probably the simplest and most straightforward option for sharing slides.

• First off, open PowerPoint and load your presentation.
• Then start or connect to your Teams meeting from your Calendar; or start a new Team meeting.
• Use the Teams share tray to start sharing your desktop.

• Then pick the Screenshare (Desktop/Window) option.

• Choose to share the content of one of your screens or the relevant PowerPoint presentation window.
• Hit Share .
• Back to PowerPoint, move to Slide Show view by clicking F5. This will allow to share your PowerPoint presentation in full screen mode.

Summary : Note that although this method is pretty simple it has shortcomings. Unless you have two screens you won’t be able to access your notes. You won’t also be able to view the Teams meeting controls when presenting, so you’ll be able to display the participants list or access the meeting chat while presenting.

Present your slides using Presenter View

If you have two screens you are able to use the PowerPoint presenter View.

• Open PowerPoint and load your Presentation slides.
• From the PowerPoint Ribbon hit Slide Show .
• Then in the Monitor section tick Use Presenter View .
• Then hit F5 (or select Slide Show and then From Beginning ).
• Now access your Teams meeting from your Teams or Outlook Calendar.
• In the Teams Meeting controls sharing tray , select Screenshare and then select the monitor that displays your slide in full screen.
• Hit Share , and present your slides.
• This is a more robust method, which allows you to see your notes when presenting, but it requires more than one screen. It also doesn’t allow you to access the Teams user interface and view the participants list etc’.

Using PowerPoint Live to present in Teams

You can now use PowerPoint live capability to improve your presentation delivery in Teams.

• First off, upload your Presentation to a Teams channel or OneDrive.
• Then access your Teams Meeting from Outlook or the Teams Calendar.
• Next, from the meeting control, select the PowerPoint presentation you would like to share. In the example below, we have only one presentation available named Share.pptx.

• If you see your Presentation in the list, you can use the Browse button (as shown above) to either upload a presentation to Teams, browse from existing presentations shared in your Channel or pick one from OneDrive.
• Once the presentation is picked you’ll see your Teams live PowerPoint view.

• As you can see, the presenter view in Teams allows you to access the your notes. Obviously the meeting participants will see the full screen view . Note that both you and participants will be able to move back and forth between the slides as needed.
• You can use the Teams meeting controls (from the lower part of the screen) to view the Team conversation and participant list.

This capability is a very cool option for presenters. Main drawback being that given the fact that it currently leverages the web version of PowerPoint, there might be some features and animations that might not fully work in PowerPoint live.

How to Present PowerPoint Slides in Microsoft Teams

Ready to elevate your virtual presentations in Microsoft Teams? Discover three distinct methods to deliver flawless PowerPoint presentations.

A successful PowerPoint presentation extends beyond just the content—its delivery is just as important, especially in a virtual space like Microsoft Teams.

In Microsoft Teams, you can choose to present your slide deck by sharing your entire screen, PowerPoint window, or using the Microsoft Teams' PowerPoint Live feature. Let's explore how you can use each of these three methods and discuss their pros and cons.

Method 1: Share Screen

Sharing your screen in Microsoft Teams is pretty easy and straightforward. It's best to minimize or close unnecessary tabs before joining the Microsoft Teams meeting to avoid exposing sensitive information. Once you're confident in your screen's content, follow the steps below:

• A red border appears around your desktop, indicating you're sharing your screen.
• Present your PowerPoint slideshow.

Sharing your screen is a straightforward method, especially when you want to present other documents besides your PowerPoint slideshow. However, the downside is that you may accidentally reveal sensitive information.

Method 2: Share PowerPoint Window

If you want only to present your PowerPoint slide deck, it's best to share just that window. Here's how:

• A red border will appear around your PowerPoint window, indicating you're sharing just that window.
• Launch your slides in slideshow mode and start presenting.
• Open the Microsoft Teams window and click Stop sharing when you're done presenting.

Sharing just your PowerPoint window prevents accidental display of sensitive desktop content. Even if you switch windows, viewers only see the PowerPoint presentation.

However, this method also has its limitations. One of the main limits is that you can't view your PowerPoint speaker notes without the audience seeing them as well. You also can't access Microsoft Teams features like the chat and reactions during your presentation.

Additionally, If your network connection has low bandwidth or slow upload speed , sharing your screen can result in a blurry and stuttering presentation for the audience. Thankfully, the PowerPoint Live feature provides the solution to these issues.

Method 3: Use PowerPoint Live

Presenting with the PowerPoint Live feature is easy and provides additional benefits. Your audience only sees the slides, while you get to see all the extra controls that come with the presenter view. When using the presenter view in your presentation, you have a few helpful tools at your disposal:

• You can easily adjust the font size of your slide notes to make them more readable.
• To navigate between slides, simply click on the corresponding thumbnail.
• You can use the laser pointer, pen, or highlighter tools to draw attention to specific areas of a slide.
• Use the Standout layout to place your camera feed on the slide without the background.
• Use the Cameo layout to insert yourself into the slide, provided you've set up Cameo to record customized camera feeds .

Here's how you can use PowerPoint Live to share your presentation:

• When it's your turn to present, click Share .
• When you're done presenting, click Stop sharing in the top toolbar.

The PowerPoint Live feature tackles the limitations of sharing your entire screen or PowerPoint window. It also comes with really cool features like co-presenting and allowing attendees to click on links in the presentation.

Your Audience's View When Using PowerPoint Live

In addition to the main slide view, your audience also has access to the slide navigation, grid, and more options controls (the three dots icon below the slides).

This means they can navigate the slides at their own pace and change specific slide settings to suit their preference without affecting your view and that of others. If you find this non-ideal for delivering an engaging presentation , you can disable the audience's navigation control. To do so, enable Private view in the top toolbar.

By default, each meeting attendee joins as a presenter. This means they can share their own content or control someone else's presentation. If that's not what you want, you can change each person's meeting roles in Microsoft Teams to prevent it.

Deliver a Seamless Presentation Experience in Microsoft Teams

Presenting your PowerPoint slides in Microsoft Teams might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake. Practice makes perfect. So before your next Teams presentation, familiarize yourself with your chosen method to ensure an effective delivery.

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I don't have the Powerpoint Live option

I have a Microsoft 365 Personal account subscription and have seen a feature that I want to utilise during presentations (PowerPoint Live feature) however when I go to "Share Content" on teams I don't see the option for it (I can only share "Window" or "Screen")

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• Independent Advisor

Hi April, Thank you for reaching out. My name is Furkaan, a user just like you. I’d be happy to help you with your concerns. There are a couple of reasons why you might not be seeing the PowerPoint Live option in Microsoft Teams even with a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription. Here's how to troubleshoot: Update Microsoft Teams: Ensure you're running the latest version of Microsoft Teams. Outdated versions might not have the most recent features. Check for updates within the Teams app itself, usually under Settings. Eligibility for PowerPoint Live: While Microsoft 365 Personal should include PowerPoint Live, there might be some variations depending on the specific plan. Double-check if your plan explicitly mentions PowerPoint Live features. You can find your plan details on your Microsoft account dashboard. Entering the Meeting: PowerPoint Live is primarily for presenting during meetings, not while sharing your screen outside of a meeting. Join a Teams meeting and then try the "Share" option to see if PowerPoint Live appears. Presenting from PowerPoint itself: An alternative way to utilise PowerPoint Live is by launching it directly from your presentation file. In PowerPoint (Windows or Mac), go to the "File" menu and select "Present in Teams." This will initiate PowerPoint Live within your Teams meeting. Additional Resource: If you're still facing issues, refer to the official Microsoft documentation on using PowerPoint Live in Teams: https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/share-slides-in-microsoft-teams-meetings-with-powerpoint-live-fc5a5394-2159-419c-bc59-1f64c1f4e470 If you have any additional questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out. Give back to the Community. Help the next person who has this issue by indicating if this reply solved your problem. Click Yes or No below. Best Regards, Furkaan

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I am having this exact same issue. I read on another site that Power Point Live is not available on Personal 365 plans. :(

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Present from PowerPoint Live in Microsoft Teams

PowerPoint Live in Teams gives both the presenter and audience an inclusive and engaging experience, combining the best parts of presenting in PowerPoint with the connection and collaboration of a Microsoft Teams meeting.

When you’re the presenter, you have a unique view that lets you control your presentation while staying engaged with your audience, seeing people’s video, raised hands, reactions, and chat as needed.

And if you’re an audience member, you can interact with the presentation and personalize your viewing experience with captions, high contrast slides, and slides translated into your native language.

Here’s how it works:  

Tip:  Are you an audience member? Jump down to learn more about how you can interact during the presentation.

Presenter view

Present your slides

If you're in PowerPoint for the web, select Present > Present in Teams .

Your slides will appear in the Teams meeting, with your Notes next to them.

Navigate through the slides

Use the navigation arrows to go forward and backward.

Use the thumbnail strip to jump ahead or backwards.

Select Go to slide to see a grid view of all slides in the presentation. Select one to jump to it.

Stay connected to the audience

One of the benefits of using PowerPoint Live to present instead of sharing your screen is that you have quick access to all your meeting tools you need to engage with the audience and to read the room in one view. This is especially true if you’re presenting from a single screen.

Turn Chat on or off to view what your audience is saying.

See audience reactions and raised hands in real-time.

Change the Layout of your presentation and choose how your live camera feed appears in your presentation, like Standout or Cameo . It helps the audience read your non-verbal cues and keeps them engaged.

Use the Laser pointer , Pen , Highlighter , or Eraser to clearly reference items on your slides.

Magnifying and panning

As you present, you can zoom in and out and pan around your slides to call attention to specific points and keep your presentation dynamic.

To zoom in or out on a slide, do any one of the following: 

Hover over the slideshow and pinch or stretch on trackpad.

Pinch or use the stretch touch gesture (on a touch-enabled device).

Press the + or – keys.

Hover over slide, hold down Ctrl key and scroll with mouse wheel.

In the More Actions menu, click the + or – buttons.

To pan around your slide, do any one of the following:

Press the arrow keys.

Click and drag using a mouse.

Click and drag on a trackpad.

Use one finger to touch and drag (on touch-enabled device).

When done zooming and panning, press  Esc to reset your screen. 

Audience view

As an audience member, you’re able to personalize your experience without affecting anyone else. Try these options to find what works best for you:

Note:  If presenters don't want people to be able to independently navigate through a PowerPoint file they are sharing, use the  Private view  toggle to turn it off.

Click any hyperlink on slides to get more context right away.

Interact with videos on slides to adjust the volume or jump to a timestamp and consume it at your own pace.

Use a screen reader to get full access to the slide content.

Switch to a high contrast view to make the slides easier to view if you have low vision. Select More options > View slides in high contrast .

Your viewing experience will be at a higher fidelity, letting you see crisp text and smooth animations. PowerPoint Live also requires significantly less network bandwidth than typical sharing, making it the b est option when network connectivity is a problem.

Independent magnifying and panning

You can zoom in and pan on a presentation slide without affecting what others see. Use your mouse, trackpad, keyboard, touch, or the Magnify Slide option as applicable. 

When done zooming and panning, press  Esc to reset your screen.   

Important: 

PowerPoint Live is not supported in Teams live events, CVI devices, and VTC devices.

If you're using Teams on the web, you’ll need Microsoft Edge 18 or later, or Google Chrome 65 or later, to see the presenter view.

Presenter view is hidden by default for small screen devices but can be turned on by selecting More options below the current slide and then Show presenter view (or by selecting the sharing window and then pressing Ctrl+Shift+x).

Meetings recordings won’t capture any videos, animations, or annotation marks in the PowerPoint Live session.

When you share from Teams, the PowerPoint Live section lists the most recent files you've opened or edited in your team SharePoint site or your OneDrive. If you select one of these files to present, all meeting participants will be able to view the slides during the meeting. Their access permissions to the file outside of the meeting won't change.

If you select Browse and choose to present a PowerPoint file that hasn't been uploaded to Teams before, it will get uploaded as part of the meeting. If you're presenting in a channel meeting, the file is uploaded to the Files tab in the channel, where all team members will have access to it. If you're presenting in a private meeting, the file is uploaded to your OneDrive, where only the meeting participants will be able to access it.

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