Enabling a Virtual Background in Teams

If you want to change what appears behind you in a video conference, you can either blur your background or replace it entirely. 

Change your background before a meeting starts 

  1.  While you're setting up your video and audio before joining a meeting, select the Background effects slider between the Camera and Mic selection sliders.
    • Note: You must have your camera turned on to select this option.


    Teams Options bar with the ... button highlighted by a red box.
     
  2. A window will appear on the right hand side of the screen with options to change your background. Select the option you would like to see and the background will update instantly. 

    Window showing various backgrounds to choose from including background blur.
     

Change your background during a meeting

  1.  During a call/meeting select the ... on the options bar.

    Teams Options bar with the ... button highlighted by a red box.
     
  2. Select the Show background effects option.

    Show background effects option highlighted by a red box.
     
  3. Select the background you would like to display and press the Apply button, or if you have not already started your camera it will appear as Apply and turn on video.

    Photos of different background options shown, with the Apply and turn on video button at the bottom.
     

Creating Your Own Virtual Backgrounds

You can upload your own personal background displays with just a few easy steps!

  1.  Choose a 1920x1080 .jpeg or .png picture and upload it to the following location:
    Windows PC: C:\Users\<pcname>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds\Uploads
    Mac: /users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Teams/Backgrounds/Uploads
     
  2. Restart your Teams application and follow the steps above to view your custom background.

 

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