Why don't I see my name in the search field when I start a new chat?

Hi @Bill Ziegenfuss, 

Thank you for reaching out, and I appreciate you letting us know about the issue you're experiencing with Microsoft Teams. 

I understand that you're unable to start a chat with yourself, even though you have an active Teams subscription. To assist you further, could you please provide the following information: 

1. Account Details 
   • Are you signed in with a personal Microsoft account or a work/school account? 
   • Is this the same account you used to purchase Teams? 
2. Teams Version & Platform 
   • Are you using the desktop app, web version, or mobile app? 
   • What version of Microsoft Teams are you currently running? 
3. Tenant Information (if applicable) 
   • Are you part of an organization or using Teams as an individual user? 
   • If you're part of a Microsoft 365 tenant, do you have admin access? 
4. Steps Taken 
   • Could you describe the exact steps you took when trying to start a chat with yourself? 
   • Did you search for your name/email in the chat interface, or try another method? 

Once I have this information, I'll be able to investigate further and find the best solution for you. 

In the means time, here are a few workarounds you can try to start a chat with yourself in Microsoft Teams: 

1/Create a Chat with Your Own Email Address 

• In the Chat tab, click New Chat. 
• Type your full email address (the one linked to your Teams account) in the "To" field. 
• If Teams recognizes it, you should be able to start a conversation with yourself. 

2/ Use Teams Mobile App 

• Some users have reported that the mobile version of Teams allows chatting with yourself more reliably. 
• Try logging into the Teams mobile app and starting a chat with your own account. 

3/ Send a Message via Meeting or File Share 

• Create a meeting and invite only yourself. 
• Use the meeting chat to leave notes or messages. 
• Alternatively, share a file with yourself via OneDrive or Teams and use the file’s comment/chat feature. 

4/ Use Microsoft Loop or OneNote for Self Notes 

• If your goal is to leave notes or reminders for yourself, consider using Microsoft Loop, OneNote, or Teams personal tabs as an alternative. 

I hope this information is helpful. Please follow these steps and let me know if it works for you. If not, we can work together to resolve this.  

Thank you for your patience and your understanding. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.  

I'm looking forward to your reply.  

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Hi @Bill Ziegenfuss,  

Hope things are running smoothly on your end. 

Following up on the support thread we've been working on. I hope the information I shared in my previous answer resolve the issue you were facing. If you are still facing the same issue or need assistance with anything else, kindly respond to this email, and I will be happy to help. 

We want to make sure everything is working as expected and that your experience remains uninterrupted. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the troubleshooting process.  

I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Hi @Bill Ziegenfuss,   

I hope you're having a good day so far. 

I'm reaching out again to follow up on your issue and check if everything has been resolved. My goal is to ensure your experience remains smooth and hassle-free. If you're still encountering any problems or have run into new challenges, please let me know which steps you're currently stuck on and happy to provide further help whenever you need it.  

If you have any further questions, feel free to tag me in your reply so I can assist you directly. 

Looking forward to your update.