How To Use Background Effects and Blurring in Microsoft Teams Video Calls

In the age of remote work, video calls have become an essential part of communication. Microsoft Teams, a popular collaboration platform, offers a variety of features to improve the video conferencing experience. One of the most popular features is the ability to change your background or apply blur effects during calls, helping you maintain privacy, reduce distractions, or simply have some fun. This guide will walk you through the process of using background effects and blurring in Microsoft Teams, including how to change backgrounds, apply blur effects, and upload custom backgrounds.

What Are Background Effects in Microsoft Teams?

Background effects in Microsoft Teams allow you to modify the visual appearance of your surroundings during a video call. Instead of showing your actual background, you can apply:

• Blur: This softens and blurs your background to keep the focus on you.
• Predefined Backgrounds: A selection of built-in backgrounds, such as an office, a beach, or nature.
• Custom Backgrounds: Allows you to upload your own images to use as your background.

These features help make your video calls look more professional, protect your privacy, and keep participants from getting distracted by your surroundings. Whether you’re working from home, a coffee shop, or any other environment, Microsoft Teams offers you the tools to adjust your background to match the tone of your meeting.

Benefits of Using Background Effects in Teams

1. Privacy: Blur or change your background to avoid revealing personal details or work-related information visible in your environment.
2. Professionalism: Use professional or neutral backgrounds to enhance your presentation during meetings.
3. Focus: Blur your background to minimize distractions and help participants focus on the meeting content.
4. Fun: Upload custom or fun backgrounds for a more casual meeting experience or to personalize your call.
5. Branding: For businesses, uploading branded or corporate backgrounds helps maintain consistency across virtual meetings.

How To Change Your Background or Apply Blur Effects in Microsoft Teams

To customize your background or apply blur during a Microsoft Teams video call, follow these steps:

1. Before the Meeting: Set Your Background or Blur Effect

If you want to apply a background or blur effect before joining the meeting, you can set it up directly from the meeting lobby.

Step 1: Start or Join a Meeting

• Open Microsoft Teams and navigate to your scheduled meeting or create a new one.
• Click on the Join button to enter the meeting.

Step 2: Open Video Settings

• Before joining the meeting, you’ll see a preview screen showing your camera feed.
• Below your video feed, click on the Background filters option (it looks like a person icon with a background).
• You’ll now see the background settings menu, where you can choose either Blur or a predefined background.

Step 3: Apply a Background

• Blur: Select the Blur option to blur the background.
• Predefined Backgrounds: Choose one of the default backgrounds provided by Teams, such as “Office,” “Beach,” or “City Skyline.”

Step 4: Use a Custom Background (Optional)

• If you want to upload a custom image as your background, click the Add new button.
• Navigate to the folder where your image is saved, select it, and Teams will automatically apply it as your background.

Step 5: Join the Meeting

• Once you’ve selected your preferred background effect, click Join Now to enter the meeting with your new settings.

2. During the Meeting: Change Your Background or Apply Blur

You can also adjust your background or apply blur during an ongoing meeting.

Step 1: Open Video Settings

• While in the meeting, move your mouse to the video feed (the camera icon in the upper-right corner).
• Click the More options (three-dot) icon and select Apply background effects.

Step 2: Choose Your Background Effect

• Blur: Select the Blur option to apply a blurred background.
• Predefined Backgrounds: Choose one of the predefined backgrounds, such as an office or nature scene.
• Custom Background: Click on Add new to upload a custom image. Choose an image from your computer, and it will immediately become your background.

Step 3: Apply and Close

• After selecting your background effect, click Apply and Close to confirm the changes and continue with the meeting.

How To Upload Custom Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

Uploading your own custom background can add a personal or professional touch to your video calls. Here’s how to upload custom images for use during Teams meetings:

Step 1: Prepare Your Image

• Resolution: Make sure your background image has a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 pixels for optimal quality.
• File Type: Teams supports JPG, PNG, and BMP file formats for custom backgrounds.

Step 2: Upload Your Image

• In the Background settings menu, click the Add new button.
• Browse for your image file and select it.
• Teams will upload the image and apply it as your new background.

Step 3: Use Your Custom Background

• After uploading, your custom background will appear in the background options list. Select it and click Apply and Close.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Background Effects

While background effects are generally smooth to use, you might occasionally encounter some issues. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them:

1. Background Not Loading

If your custom background isn’t loading or applying:

• Check the Image Size: Ensure the image file is large enough (1920 x 1080 pixels) and not too large in file size.
• Restart Teams: Close and reopen Microsoft Teams to refresh the settings.
• Update Teams: Make sure you’re using the latest version of Teams. You can update the app by navigating to your profile and selecting Check for updates.

2. Blurring Doesn’t Work

If the blur effect is not applied:

• Check System Requirements: Ensure your device meets the system requirements for background effects. Teams uses advanced AI to apply blur, and some older devices may not be compatible.
• Use Teams Web App: If the desktop app is having issues, try using the Teams web app (in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge), as it may offer more consistent background effects support.

3. Backgrounds Distort or Glitch

If your background is glitching or cutting out parts of your image:

• Ensure Proper Lighting: Poor lighting or a messy background can confuse the AI used to detect your image from your surroundings.
• Check Camera Quality: Low-quality or blurry cameras can cause problems with background detection. Ensure your camera is in focus and well-lit.

Tips for Better Background Effect Usage

1. Lighting: Make sure you are well-lit from the front, as poor lighting may cause the background blur or image to look less smooth.
2. Dress for Your Background: Avoid wearing clothing that blends into your chosen background. If you’re using a nature scene, for example, avoid wearing green to prevent blending with the background.
3. Keep It Professional: Choose a neutral or professional background for business meetings. Custom backgrounds should be appropriate for the setting and audience.

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Background Effects and Blurring in Microsoft Teams