Microsoft Teams automatically updates your status to reflect your availability. The Available (green) status shows that you are active and ready to respond to messages or calls. However, Teams may automatically change your status to Away if your computer becomes idle, your screen locks, or you stop interacting with the application for a certain period of time.
For many users—especially those working remotely—keeping the status green can help indicate that they are present and available during working hours. While Microsoft Teams automatically manages presence status based on activity, there are several ways to maintain an Available status for longer periods.
In this guide, we will walk you through the methods you can use to keep your Microsoft Teams status green (Available) on Windows 11.
How to Keep Your Microsoft Teams Status Green (Available) All the Time
Follow the methods below to maintain an active presence status in Microsoft Teams.
1. Manually Set Your Status to Available
You can manually set your Teams status to Available.
- Open Microsoft Teams on your computer.
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Click your current status.
- Select Available from the list.
- Your status will immediately change to green.
While this sets your status to Available, Teams may still switch it to Away if the system detects inactivity.
2. Prevent Your Computer from Going Idle
Microsoft Teams changes your status when the computer becomes idle.
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- Click System.
- Select Power & battery.
- Expand Screen and sleep.
- Set both screen and sleep timers to longer durations.
- Close the Settings app.
Keeping the computer active for longer periods helps maintain the Available status.
3. Keep Microsoft Teams Active in the Foreground
Regular interaction with Teams prevents the app from marking you as away.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Keep the application running in the foreground or on a secondary monitor.
- Periodically interact with the app by:
- Opening chats
- Checking notifications
- Clicking within the Teams window
User activity signals to Teams that you are still active.
4. Use a Status Message
You can set a status message that remains visible even if the presence status changes.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click your profile picture.
- Select Set status message.
- Enter a short message such as “Available for messages”.
- Enable Show when people message me if desired.
- Choose how long the message should remain visible.
- Click Done.
This helps communicate availability even if the status temporarily changes.
5. Use a Teams Meeting to Keep Status Active
Joining a meeting can keep your status active.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click Calendar.
- Click Meet now.
- Start a meeting.
- Turn off your camera and microphone if necessary.
- Minimize the meeting window.
While the meeting is active, Teams typically keeps your status active.
6. Avoid Locking Your Computer
Locking your computer can immediately change your Teams status to Away.
- Avoid using Windows + L to lock the system during active hours.
- Keep your session logged in while working.
- Ensure the screen remains active.
Maintaining an active session helps keep your status green.
Conclusion
Microsoft Teams automatically updates presence status based on user activity, which can cause the status to switch from Available to Away after periods of inactivity. However, by manually setting your status, preventing your computer from going idle, interacting with Teams regularly, setting a status message, or staying in a meeting, you can keep your status green for longer periods.
Using these methods can help maintain your visibility and availability during work hours while using Microsoft Teams on Windows 11.
