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You're reading a long proposal or thinking through a problem, and Microsoft Teams turns your green dot yellow. To your team you look Away, even though you haven't moved from your desk.
This guide explains exactly what makes Teams show you as Away, the fixes Microsoft itself recommends, and how to keep your Teams status green through work that doesn't involve constant clicking.
Why Teams shows you as Away
According to Microsoft, Teams changes your status from Available to Away when:
- you've been inactive for about 5 minutes,
- your computer is locked, idle or asleep,
- you minimize the Teams window,
- on mobile, the Teams app is in the background.
Teams also changes your status automatically when you're in a Teams meeting or call, showing "In a meeting" or "In a call" instead.
How long does Teams stay green?
About 5 minutes without activity. After that, Teams switches you to Away. Microsoft says this timeout can't currently be changed.
How to stop Teams showing Away after 5 minutes: the built-in fixes
Microsoft doesn't offer a setting to keep you Available, but these steps help.
1. Don't minimize Teams
Minimizing the window is enough to trigger Away. On Windows, Microsoft suggests using split screen instead: drag the Teams title bar to one side of the screen and open your other app on the other side.
2. Set a status message that people see
Select your profile picture, choose Set status message, type something like "I'm here, reading through the spec", tick Show when people message me, and choose when to clear it: Today, This week or Never. Even if your dot turns yellow, anyone who messages you sees that you're around.
3. Set a duration for other statuses
From your profile picture, choose your current status, then Duration, to keep a status like Busy, Do not disturb or Be right back for a set time. Note that you can set a duration for any status except Available, so this can't hold your green dot on.
4. Keep your computer from sleeping
A sleeping or locked computer always shows as Away. Check your power settings, or use a keep-awake tool like PowerToys Awake on Windows or Amphetamine on Mac during long sessions.
How to keep Teams status green all day
The built-in fixes stop the most common triggers, but none of them beat the 5-minute inactivity timer. To stay green while you read, plan or take a call on another device, your computer needs to register some activity.
- Free mouse movers. Move Mouse or Mouse Jiggler on Windows nudge the cursor so the computer isn't idle. Our comparison of mouse mover apps explains the options.
- LazyWork. LazyWork mixes natural mouse movement, light keyboard activity, scrolling and switching between your open apps, with adjustable activity levels and scheduling so it only runs in work hours.
Keep-awake tools like PowerToys Awake stop sleep but don't generate input, so on their own they won't stop the 5-minute Away.
How to stay active on Teams without moving your mouse
Without software, your options are the built-in fixes above: keep Teams visible rather than minimized, keep the computer awake, and use a status message so people know you're available. To stop the inactivity timer itself, you need a tool that simulates input, like a mouse mover or LazyWork.
Set up LazyWork for Teams
- Download LazyWork for Windows, Mac or Linux and start the 7-day free trial.
- Choose an activity level that suits your normal workload.
- Set your work hours so it only runs during the day.
- Keep Teams open and not minimized, step away for 10 minutes, and confirm your status is still Available.
The LazyWork Starter Guide covers the recommended settings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Teams always show Available?
Not through Teams settings. Available is the one status you can't set a duration for, and Teams switches it to Away after about 5 minutes of inactivity. A status message, or a tool that keeps your computer active, are the practical workarounds.
Why does Teams show Away when I'm at my computer?
Usually because Teams is minimized, or because you haven't touched the keyboard or mouse for about 5 minutes while reading or thinking.
Does Teams show Away during calls?
Not for Teams calls and meetings, which show as In a call or In a meeting. Calls on another phone or app don't count, so Teams can mark you Away.
Does using Teams on my phone keep me green?
Only while the app is open. On mobile, Teams sets you to Away when the app goes into the background.
Will a mouse jiggler keep Teams green?
Generally yes, as long as Teams is open and not minimized, because the simulated movement counts as activity on your computer.