Microsoft Teams - Running slow when attempting to reuse Assignments

When reusing assignments from archived Teams in Microsoft Teams, especially those with multiple attachments, it's possible that the slow performance is due to the system attempting to pull and recreate those attachments within the new Team. This can lead to buffering or extended loading times, particularly if the attachments are large or numerous.

To mitigate this issue, consider the following strategies:

1. Reduce the Number of Attachments: If possible, limit the number of attachments in assignments to decrease the load time.
2. Optimize File Sizes: Ensure that the files being attached are optimized for size, which can help speed up the loading process.
3. Check Network Performance: Sometimes, slow performance can be related to network issues. Ensure that the network connection is stable and has sufficient bandwidth.
4. Use Smaller Assignments: Instead of reusing large assignments, consider breaking them down into smaller, more manageable parts that can be reused individually.
5. Monitor System Performance: Keep an eye on the performance of the Teams application and the device being used to ensure that they are not contributing to the slowdown.

If the problem persists, it may be beneficial to reach out to Microsoft support for further assistance, as they can provide more specific guidance based on your environment and usage patterns.

Dear @Miss R Christie,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

I understand that your staff is experiencing significant slowness and buffering when attempting to reuse assignments from archived Teams, especially those with multiple attachments. From my research, the core issue you are observing is caused by how Teams utilizes its underlying file storage, SharePoint Online, to handle file movement. When the "Reuse Assignment" feature is used, the system must copy every file (instructions, resources, etc.) from the archived Team's dedicated SharePoint site and place new, independent copies into the new Team's active SharePoint site. This entire file migration process creates a heavy operational load, causing the slowdown.

You cannot eliminate the file copying entirely, but you can significantly improve the performance by minimizing the amount of data the system is forced to move:

• Place the large assignment resources (videos, lengthy PDFs, complex templates) into a central, active SharePoint site or OneDrive folder that is designed for staff resources and is not tied to the individual class Teams.
• When creating the original assignment, use the "Link" option to point to the file in the central location, rather than using the "Attach File" option to upload a copy.
• When staff reuses the assignment, Teams only copies the assignment metadata and the small URL link, not the large file data, making the process nearly instantaneous.

Optimize Archived Teams: Before a Team is archived, advise staff to delete any unused drafts, older versions, or irrelevant resource files from the Team's "Files" tab. Less data in the source means less data the system has to search and potentially copy during the reuse process.

If possible, could you help confirm whether the same problem occurs when accessing Teams via a web browser?

If none of the above solutions work, the issue may require a deeper diagnostic dive into your tenant's configuration or a backend synchronization. I recommend that the Global Admin in your organization create a service request with Microsoft Support. A technical support engineer can perform a remote session to investigate the situation, verify the backend configurations, and run any necessary synchronization tools to resolve the problem. If the issue requires further attention, they can escalate it to a specialized team for deeper analysis. Ask The Global Admin in your organization to create a service request with Microsoft support to get advanced technical assistance and diagnostics. For detailed instructions on how to get support, please refer to Get support - Microsoft 365 admin. If you don't know who your IT administrator is, please refer to this article: How do I find my Microsoft 365 admin? - Microsoft Support 

For additional assistance, use this link to find the appropriate contact number: Global Customer Service phone numbers - Microsoft Support 

I hope this information helps clarify the situation and provides you with workable solutions. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always here to help. Have a wonderful day! 

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