How to Change Microsoft Teams Notification Sound on Windows 11

Microsoft Teams does a great job with alerts, but the default notification sound can get annoying—especially if you spend all day in meetings or receive dozens of chat messages. Windows 11 lets you tweak many sound settings, but unlike apps like Slack or Discord, Microsoft Teams doesn’t offer a built-in option to customize its notification sounds directly from the app.

The good news is that you can change the sound Teams uses by adjusting system sounds, switching tones through Windows Settings, or replacing the default Teams sound file manually. In this guide, we walk you through every method so you can personalize Microsoft Teams notifications to something more pleasant—or at least less stressful.

Change Microsoft Teams Notification Sound

To follow this guide, you’ll need Microsoft Teams installed. It helps to know whether you’re using Teams (classic) or the newer Microsoft Teams (New), since sound behavior can differ slightly. You’ll also need admin access if you plan to replace the default Teams sound file manually. Once that’s set, you’re ready to start customizing your notification alerts.

1. Change Teams Notification Sound Through Windows System Sounds

Classic Microsoft Teams uses Windows’ built-in notification sound system. Changing the system’s default notification sound will also change the sound Teams plays.

1. Press Windows + R, type: mmsys.cpl and press Enter.
2. In the Sound window, go to the Sounds tab.
3. Under Program Events, scroll down to Notification.
4. Select Notification.
5. On the bottom section, choose a new sound from the Sounds dropdown.
6. Click Test to preview it.
7. Click Apply and OK.

Now Teams will use your new Windows notification sound whenever you receive a message or alert.

Note: This only works with Classic Teams. The New Teams uses its own in-app sound.

2. Change Notification Sound in the New Microsoft Teams

The new Teams includes its own updated notification system. While it doesn’t allow custom sounds yet, you can switch between Default and Muted, and manage sound behavior.

1. Open the New Microsoft Teams app.
2. Click your profile picture in the top-right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Go to Notifications.
5. Look for Play sound for notifications.
6. Toggle it On or Off.

While this won’t change the sound itself, it lets you control when Teams plays its built-in tone.

3. Change Notification Style to Windows to Use Windows Sounds (New Teams)

New Teams lets you switch notification style from Teams’ own pop-up to Windows-native notifications, which allows you to use Windows notification sounds instead.

1. Open New Teams.
2. Click your profile picture > Settings.
3. Go to Notifications.
4. Under Notification Style, choose Windows.

Now Teams relies on Windows’ alert sound—meaning you can change it using the classic sound control panel (as explained in Method 1).

4. Replace the Default Teams Notification Sound Manually (Advanced)

For advanced users, you can replace the Teams notification sound by swapping the .wav file Teams uses with your own.

Important Notes:

• This works only on Classic Teams.
• You need administrative permission.
• Teams may overwrite your custom sound after updates.

1. Close Microsoft Teams completely.
2. Open File Explorer and go to: %localappdata%\Microsoft\Teams\current\media
3. Look for the file named: default.wav
4. Rename it to something like default_old.wav.
5. Take your custom .wav sound file and rename it to default.wav.
6. Paste it into the same folder.
7. Restart Teams.

Teams will now play your custom sound for notifications.

5. Change Notification Rules Inside Teams

Even if you can’t change the exact sound, you can customize when Teams plays sounds.

1. Open Teams.
2. Go to Settings > Notifications.
3. Under Chat, Meetings, and Teams & Channels, you can modify:
   • Mentions
   • Replies
   • Reactions
   • Team activity
4. Choose options like Banner and sound, Banner only, or Off.

This helps reduce noise fatigue, making the default sound less annoying.

6. Update Microsoft Teams to Ensure All Sound Options Work Correctly

Sometimes notification problems come from outdated Teams builds.

Classic Teams

1. Click Settings (three dots next to your profile picture).
2. Choose Check for updates.

New Teams

1. Click your profile picture.
2. Scroll down and check for update messages.

After updating, restart Teams and check sound behavior again.

7. Reset Teams Cache to Fix Broken or Missing Notification Sounds

If you’re not hearing any sound—or hear glitches—your Teams cache may be corrupted.

1. Quit Teams completely.
2. Press Windows + R, type: %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams
3. Delete everything inside this folder.
4. Restart Teams.

Teams will rebuild fresh settings and sound files.

8. Check Windows Focus Assist and Do Not Disturb

Windows may be blocking Teams sounds entirely.

1. Open Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Expand Do Not Disturb.
3. Make sure Do Not Disturb is off.
4. Scroll down and ensure Microsoft Teams is allowed to play sounds.

Restart Teams and test a notification.

Wrapping Up

Changing the Microsoft Teams notification sound on Windows 11 isn’t as straightforward as it is with other apps, but you still have several effective options. You can switch Teams to use Windows’ built-in notification system, customize the Windows notification sound, or even manually replace the Teams sound file if you’re running the classic version.

Once you tweak these settings, you’ll have more control over how Teams alerts you, making notifications easier on your ears and less disruptive during your workday.