Microsoft Teams has multiple layers of “call ring” behavior, and the Secondary Ringer option is one of them. When it doesn’t play, people often assume the feature is broken—but the real cause is usually an OS notification/focus setting, a device audio routing issue, or a Teams permission/cache problem.
This guide walks you through the complete 2024 troubleshooting path for Microsoft Teams secondary ringer not working, with step-by-step fixes for Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone/iPad. Use it like a checklist: validate the scenario, confirm Teams settings, then fix the environment and Teams app state.
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What the Secondary Ringer feature does (and what it doesn’t)
Secondary Ringer is intended to provide an additional audible ring for Teams calls/communications when your primary audio path isn’t sufficient. In practice, it’s constrained by platform notification policies and Teams’ current client state (foreground/background) and can be affected by call type, device routing, and notification permissions.
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Two things to keep in mind:
- It’s not guaranteed to override OS-level rules like Focus Assist/Focus, Do Not Disturb, muted notifications, or blocked notification permissions.
- It may behave differently per platform because mobile OS versions enforce background execution differently than desktop.
Before you troubleshoot: confirm the scenario
Most “it doesn’t ring” reports fall into one of these patterns. Confirm which one matches your case so you don’t waste time toggling the wrong setting.
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- Are you testing an incoming call, a call transfer, or a chat notification? Secondary Ringer is about call/audio behavior, not chat message alerts.
- Is Teams open in the foreground or minimized/backgrounded during the test?
- Which app is ringing when it fails: is Teams trying to ring on your phone while you’re on your PC, or vice versa?
- What device audio path are you using: Bluetooth headset, wired headset, laptop speakers, or monitor speakers?
If you’re not sure, do a single controlled test: put Teams in the exact state you usually use (foreground/background), then have a colleague call you immediately while you watch the audio output device and call banner behavior.
Check Microsoft Teams settings (the most common cause)
Secondary Ringer is governed by Teams’ own notification and call sound settings. If the toggle isn’t set correctly—or Teams thinks a different device should be ringing—you’ll never hear the secondary ring, even if your OS notifications are perfect.
Windows 11 / Windows 10
In the desktop app, verify both Teams call settings and notification/call sound routing.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click … (More) at the top-right, then choose Settings.
- Go to Calls.
- Find the Secondary ringer option and confirm it’s enabled.
- Select the intended Secondary device (for example, your phone) if the UI provides device selection.
- Verify Play ringtone for incoming calls (wording may vary) is enabled.
- Click Save if prompted.
Then do the same test while keeping Teams running long enough for the change to take effect (about 30–60 seconds). Some call audio settings apply only after a client state refresh.
macOS
On macOS, call/audio behavior depends heavily on permissions and Focus. Start with Teams settings first.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Click your profile picture (top-right) or …, then choose Settings.
- Select Calls.
- Confirm Secondary ringer is enabled.
- Check the ringtone/call sound option is enabled (wording varies by Teams version).
- Confirm any secondary device selection is correct.
Android
Teams on Android relies on notification channels and call/meeting permission. Secondary Ringer won’t work if the channel is muted or blocked.
- Open Microsoft Teams on your Android device.
- Tap your profile picture (top-left) and open Settings.
- Go to Notifications.
- Confirm call notifications are enabled and not set to silent.
- Look for any setting referencing Secondary ringer or call ringtone behavior. Enable it if present.
If you don’t see Secondary Ringer controls in the mobile app, that’s normal—some tenants/platforms only expose it in the desktop client. In that case, mobile audio still must be allowed via OS notification channels (covered below).
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iPhone and iPad
On iOS, notification permission is the gatekeeper. If Teams can’t notify for calls, Secondary Ringer can’t play a ringtone.
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Tap your profile picture > Settings > Notifications.
- Confirm call-related notifications are enabled.
- Enable any option that corresponds to call sounds/alerts if shown.
Validate Windows/macOS focus, notifications, and call audio paths
Even with the correct Teams settings, Focus rules can suppress ring behavior. Secondary Ringer frequently fails because the secondary device is effectively “quiet” under system focus modes or notification settings.
Windows focus assist and notification settings
- Open Settings > System > Notifications.
- Confirm Notifications are enabled.
- Scroll to Microsoft Teams in the app list and ensure notification categories (especially calls) are allowed.
- Go to Settings > System > Focus.
- Check Focus assist is not set to block app notifications at the time of testing.
- If you use it, add Microsoft Teams to allowed apps during Focus Assist.
Also check Windows sound routing: go to Settings > System > Sound and confirm the correct output device is selected (headphones vs speakers).
macOS Focus and notification permissions
- Open System Settings > Focus.
- Check whether any Focus mode is active during your tests (including scheduled Focus).
- Inside the active Focus mode, confirm Microsoft Teams is allowed for notifications.
- Go to System Settings > Notifications > Microsoft Teams.
- Confirm Allow Notifications is enabled.
- Confirm alerts are enabled and not set to a silent style.
On macOS, permissions can also block audio/call behavior. If needed, check System Settings > Privacy & Security for Teams permissions relevant to microphone and notifications.
Validate the device ringtone/audio behavior
Secondary Ringer is still just audio. If your secondary device is connected to the wrong output (or its ringer is effectively muted), Teams may “ring” but you won’t hear it.
Headsets and Bluetooth
- Disconnect and reconnect your Bluetooth headset to force a clean audio profile negotiation.
- On Windows, verify the headset shows as the selected output device under Settings > System > Sound.
- On macOS, verify the output device under System Settings > Sound.
- Test with a wired headset or laptop speakers to rule out a Bluetooth profile issue (hands-free vs stereo can change audio routing behavior).
Speaker vs. earpiece routing
On mobile, Teams call audio can route to the earpiece or speaker depending on whether you’re in-call, using Bluetooth, or have answered recently. If you test in the same environment, you can isolate whether the issue is routing or notifications.
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- If the phone is connected to Bluetooth, try toggling speaker during a call test.
- If you’re on desktop, ensure you’re not “sharing screen” with a different audio device output than the one Teams uses.
Volume mixers and OS sound profiles
Windows in particular can mute Teams audio while system notifications remain allowed. Check:
- Volume Mixer: right-click the speaker icon > Open volume mixer > confirm Microsoft Teams isn’t set to 0 or muted.
- Sound enhancements: if you use enhancement software, temporarily disable it and re-test.
Fix Teams-side problems (cache, permissions, app state)
If settings and OS notifications are correct, the next likely culprit is the Teams client state: corrupted cache, stuck background service, or outdated build.
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Teams updates roll frequently, and call/notification behavior changes between builds. Confirm you’re on the newest available version.
- Open Teams.
- Check for updates (Teams may show an update prompt; alternatively confirm the app build in Settings or About).
- Restart Teams after updating.
- Run your call test again immediately after restart.
On Windows/macOS, a restart is often what actually applies call ringtone changes.
Clear Teams cache (Windows and macOS)
Clearing cache can resolve stuck notification handlers and call audio settings that don’t apply.
Windows
- Fully quit Teams: click the Teams icon in the system tray and choose Quit, or open Task Manager and end Teams processes.
- Press Win + R, paste this path, and press Enter:
%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams
- Delete the Cache folder (and any folder named GPUCache if present).
- Reopen Teams and sign in.
- Run a call test within 1–2 minutes.
macOS
- Quit Teams (not just close the window).
- Open Finder > Go > Go to Folder….
- Paste:
~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams
- Delete the Cache folder if present.
- Start Teams again and re-test.
After cache clearing, some settings may take a moment to re-sync.
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Repair or reinstall the Microsoft Teams app
If cache clearing doesn’t help, reinstalling can reset corrupted components.
- Windows: If you installed Teams via Microsoft Store, use Windows Settings > Apps to choose Repair (if available) or Uninstall/Reinstall.
- macOS: Uninstall via the standard app removal flow, then reinstall the latest Teams version from the official Microsoft package/site.
Re-test after the first sign-in. For call ringing, give it a short window (a couple minutes) for device permissions to settle.
Mobile-specific fixes when Secondary Ringer won’t trigger
On Android and iOS, the OS controls whether Teams can alert while in the background. If your secondary device doesn’t play a ringtone, check notification channels and background restrictions.
Android notification channels and battery optimization
- Open Android Settings > Apps > Microsoft Teams.
- Tap Notifications.
- Look for the channel(s) related to calls or incoming calls and confirm they are enabled and set to play sound.
- Go to Battery settings for Teams.
- Disable Battery optimization for Teams or set it to Not restricted.
- Restart the phone (optional but helpful after notification-channel changes).
Also check if you have installed any “notification manager” or power saver tool; those apps can override notification sound behavior.
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- Open Settings > Notifications.
- Tap Microsoft Teams.
- Enable Allow Notifications.
- Confirm Sounds is enabled.
- Check Critical Alerts (only if available for your setup) and confirm it’s configured appropriately.
- Open Settings > Focus and ensure no active Focus mode is blocking Teams calls/alerts.
iOS will also suppress certain behaviors if Teams isn’t allowed to run in the background long enough. If you recently restricted background activity, re-test after you restore permissions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Workarounds if Secondary Ringer still doesn’t work
If you’ve verified Teams settings and OS notifications, and the feature still fails for the secondary device, you can often get a reliable outcome by switching the “ring behavior” strategy.
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- Use only one device’s call ringtone during your test window and confirm basic call ring works. If it rings reliably on one device, the problem is likely cross-device routing rather than general call audio.
- Switch audio device temporarily (e.g., disconnect Bluetooth and use speakers) to validate whether the ringtone is playing but routed incorrectly.
- Test in a different Teams client (web vs desktop) on the same platform to rule out a corrupted desktop app component.
Common mistakes that make it look like the feature is broken
- Testing chat notifications instead of calling: Teams calls and chat alerts use different notification paths.
- Ignoring silent notification categories: on mobile, one muted channel can prevent all call ringtones while others still work.
- Using Focus Assist/Focus at test time: Focus modes often suppress sounds while still showing banners.
- Leaving Teams minimized while changing audio routing: Windows/macOS output device changes don’t always apply instantly—restart Teams to be sure.
- Not restarting after toggling Secondary ringer: some settings apply after a client state refresh; assume you need 30–60 seconds plus a restart if it doesn’t work immediately.
Troubleshooting checklist (fast path)
If you want the shortest path to a working ring, follow this exact order.
- Teams Settings: confirm Secondary ringer is enabled and the selected secondary device is correct (Calls settings).
- OS Notifications: ensure Teams call notifications are allowed and sounds aren’t disabled (Windows Focus, macOS Focus).
- Mobile Channels: enable call/meeting notification channels and sounds on Android; enable Sounds and Allow Notifications on iOS.
- Audio Output: confirm the correct output device is selected; if using Bluetooth, reconnect or test wired/speakers.
- Restart Teams: quit fully and relaunch; then test again with a live call.
- Clear Cache: clear Teams Cache on the failing desktop platform and retest.
- Update/Reinstall: update to the newest Teams build; if still broken, reinstall.
FAQs
Does Secondary Ringer work for every Teams call type?
No. Secondary ringer behavior can vary by call type and by whether your tenant configuration supports the feature the same way across clients. If it works for one kind of call but not another, document the call type you tested.
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It depends on the platform. On desktop, Teams needs to be able to trigger notifications; on mobile, OS background restrictions apply. If your goal is reliable ringing while “closed,” verify notification permissions and device focus rules first.
Secondary Ringer is enabled, but I only get a banner—no sound. What should I check?
Check OS sound and notification settings: volume mixer (Windows), notification sound toggles (Android/iOS), and Focus/notification permissions (Windows Focus Assist, macOS Focus). If you hear the banner but not audio, it’s almost always a sound/channel permission problem rather than a Teams setting toggle.
Will a Teams update fix Secondary Ringer not working?
Often, yes—notification and call audio behavior changes with Teams client updates. Still, updates don’t replace OS permissions. If your secondary device is muted in Android/iOS notification channels or blocked by Focus on Windows/macOS, you’ll keep seeing the same failure.
How can I tell whether the ringtone is actually playing on the secondary device?
Temporarily lower your expectation: switch the secondary device output to something obvious (speaker) and disconnect Bluetooth. Then run a call test. If you still hear nothing, focus on notification permissions and whether the correct notification channel is enabled.
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Bottom Line
When Microsoft Teams secondary ringer not working, the fix is usually a mix of correct Teams call settings and correct OS notification/audio permissions. Start with Teams’ Calls settings, then confirm Focus/notifications are allowing sounds on the secondary device.
If it still fails, clear Teams cache, restart fully, and update or reinstall the client. After that, treat it like a device/audio routing problem on Bluetooth/headsets and a mobile notification-channel problem on Android/iOS.
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