Teams status does not change automatically, have to do it manually.

Dear @Dez Chargualaf,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft 365 Q&A forum. I can certainly understand the frustration here, especially for a user who is trying to be transparent about their availability, only to have the app "freeze" their status. It is particularly confusing when the web version works perfectly, as it confirms the issue is localized to the Desktop client's ability to "talk" to the Windows idle-detection system. 

Since you have already cleared the cache and reinstalled the app, we can rule out basic file corruption. This issue usually stems from a conflict in how the desktop app handles Modern Authentication tokens or a mismatch with Outlook calendar integration. 

Recommended steps to resolve the Desktop sync issue 

Step 1: Reset the "Status" via the Profile Menu Sometimes the Desktop app gets "stuck" in a manual override mode that cache clearing doesn't always hit. 

• Ask the user to click their Profile Picture in Teams. 
• Hover over their current status and select Reset status. 

This forces Teams to stop following a manual command and resume its "Auto" logic based on system activity. 

Step 2: Check for "Duration" Settings If a user once set a status with a Duration (e.g., "Available for 2 hours"), the app may remember that "Manual" priority even after a reboot. 

• Go to Profile > Status > Duration. 
• Ensure "Reset status after" is not set to a specific time that has passed or is currently "holding" the status in place. 

Step 3: Resync with the Outlook Calendar Teams status is deeply tied to the Outlook "Working Hours" and "Calendar" events. 

In Outlook: Set Your Working Hours 

Teams uses this to set your status to "Away" outside these hours. 

• Go to File > Options > Calendar. 
• Under Work time, set your correct Start time and End time. 
• Ensure your Time zone is correct. 

In Teams: Verify Calendar Integration 

• Click your profile picture in Teams, then select Settings > Privacy. 
• Ensure your calendar sharing status is set to show your availability (e.g., to "Everyone in your organization" or your preferred group). 

The web version of Teams uses your browser's activity to determine status. The desktop app, however, relies on Windows API calls to detect mouse/keyboard movement across the entire OS. 

• If the user has another device (like a mobile phone) logged into Teams, the mobile "Last Active" status can sometimes "trump" the desktop app.  
• Solution: Have the user sign out of Teams on their mobile device temporarily to see if the desktop app regains control of the status auto-updates. 

As a member of the Microsoft 365 Community Support team, I am here to help you troubleshoot the interaction between the Teams client and the Windows operating system. While I can provide these deep-level configuration fixes, please keep in mind that I cannot remotely "ping" the user's specific presence sensor. If these steps fail, it may indicate a deeper registry issue with the Office 365 Identity keys. 

Please let me know if you have any further questions or if the problem persists after trying these solutions. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

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The issue you're experiencing with the Teams desktop app not automatically changing the user's status could be related to several factors. Here are some points to consider:

1. User Activity Detection: Normally, a user's status in Teams changes based on their activity. If the user is inactive for a few minutes, their status should automatically change to Away. If this is not happening, it may indicate a problem with how the app is detecting user activity.
2. Multiple Devices: If the user is logged into Teams on multiple devices, the device where they were most active will determine their presence status. Ensure that the user is not active on another device that might be affecting their status.
3. Cache Issues: Although you've cleared the Teams cache, it's important to ensure that the cache is fully cleared. Sometimes, residual data can cause issues. You might want to try signing out of Teams completely and then signing back in after clearing the cache.
4. Diagnostic Tools: As an administrator, you can run the Teams Presence diagnostic in the Microsoft 365 admin center to check for any underlying issues that might be preventing the status from updating correctly. This tool can help identify if there are any configuration problems.
5. Known Issues: There are known issues with presence status not reflecting correctly in Outlook and other applications. While this may not directly relate to the desktop app, it’s worth checking if there are any updates or patches available that address these issues.

If the problem persists after checking these factors, it may be beneficial to reach out to Microsoft support for further assistance.

References:

• User presence in Teams
• The correct presence status isn't reflected in Teams