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Teams Away timer

If you stopped touching your computer now, here is when each app would mark you Away. Keep your hands off the mouse and keyboard and watch the countdowns.

Time since your last input in this tab

0:00

  • Microsoft Teams
    Available
    Away in 5:00 · Away after about 5 minutes without input (Microsoft Learn)
  • Slack
    Available
    Away in 10:00 · Away after 10 minutes of desktop inactivity (Slack Help Center)
  • Zoom
    Available
    Away in 15:00 · Away after 15 minutes (your setting) (Zoom Support)

Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent anywhere. A web page can only see input inside this tab, while Teams, Slack and Zoom read your whole computer's idle time, so this is a simulation. Typing in another window resets the real apps but not this timer.

How long until Teams shows Away?

Microsoft says Teams changes your status to Away when your desktop is inactive for more than five minutes. Two other things flip it right away: locking your computer, and the computer going to sleep, which shows you as Offline. Slack uses 10 minutes of desktop inactivity. Zoom marks you Away after a timer you choose in its settings, anywhere from 2 to 60 minutes.

All three apps count the same thing: time since the computer last got keyboard, mouse or trackpad input. That is why one nudge of the mouse turns every dot green again at once.

Why does it happen while I'm reading?

Chat apps cannot tell whether you are working. Reading a long document, watching a training video, thinking through a problem on paper or taking a call on your phone all look identical to your computer: no input. After a few quiet minutes you go yellow, and a colleague asks if you are around. It is not a fault in your setup, it is simply how presence works.

Read more in Why Teams says Away when you're working and Slack shows you inactive after 10 minutes.

Free fixes worth trying first

  • Set a status with a duration. In Teams, pick a status like Busy or Do not disturb and choose how long it lasts. In Slack, a custom status with a clear-after time tells people where you are even if the dot goes away.
  • Lengthen your lock screen timer, if IT allows it. A locked screen shows you Away instantly in Teams. On a managed work computer this setting is often fixed by policy, so leave it alone if it is.
  • Run the app on the device you actually use. If you work on a second computer all day, sign in to Teams or Slack there so your input counts.