In Microsoft Teams (free), you can blur or customize your background effects for video meetings and calls. You can choose from the available backgrounds, filters, or upload an image of your own. 

Note: Filters are only available on desktop. 

Edit or change your background before a meeting starts

You can choose a background setting before you join a meeting.

  1. In the Teams app, tap the Calendar Teams Calendar tab icon tab.

  2. Find the meeting you want and tap Join.

  3. In the pre-join screen, tap the Change background or Background effects Background settings  button.

  4. You can do the following:

    • Blur your background while everything around you is concealed.

    •  Add new  to upload an image from your device.

    • Choose from the available backgrounds and use one of the images provided.

    • Turn off your background effect by selecting None Option for turning off background effect .

      Note: If the Background settings Background effects  button is grayed out in the pre-join window, check and make sure your Camera  is turned on.

  5. After you make your choice, tap Done. If you don't see the Done button, tap the "X" at the top of the screen.

  6. Tap Join now to join the meeting.  

Edit or change your background during a meeting

To change your background during a meeting, follow these steps:

  1. In the meeting window, tap   More actionsChange background or  Background effects Background settings.

  2. You can do the following:

    • Blur your background while everything around you is concealed.

    • Add new to upload an image from your device.

    • Choose from the available backgrounds and use one of the images provided.

    • Turn off your background effect by selecting None Option for turning off background effect.

  3. After you make your choice, tap Done. If you don't see the Done button, tap the "X" at the top of the screen.

  4. Continue with your meeting.

Update your background or filter before a meeting starts

You can choose a background setting before you join a meeting.

  1. In the Teams, select the Meet Video call button tab on the far left side of the screen.

  2. Find the meeting you want and select Join.

  3. In the pre-join screen, select Video effects Pre-meeting Effects and avatars icon.

    Note: If the Video effects button is grayed out in the pre-join window, check and make sure your Camera  is turned on.

  4. You can do the following:

    • Choose from Backgrounds or you can Blur Background settings​​​​​​​your background to conceal your surroundings.  

    •  Choose from Filters for less formal, fun, and engaging looks to your video. 

    • Under More video effects, choose Add new to upload an image from your device.

    • Turn off your background effect by selecting None Option for turning off background effect.

  5. After you make your choice, select Join now to join the meeting.  

    Note: Low frame rates don't necessarily imply a poor call experience. It could be due to the performance of the computer system or insufficient hardware resources. For backgrounds and AR filters, it requires hardware systems requirements of 2GB of RAM or higher and a dual-core processor from 2018 or higher.

Edit or change your background during a meeting

To change your background during a meeting, follow these steps:

  1. In the meeting window, select ​​​​​​​  More actions Generic Ellipsis button from the top of the screen > Video effects and settings Pre-meeting Effects and avatars icon​​​​​​​. 

  2. You can do the following:

    • From Backgrounds, choose to Blur your background while everything around you is concealed, Add new to upload an image from your device, or Choose from the available backgrounds and use one of the images provided. You can also turn off your background effect by selecting None.

    • From Filters, choose one from a variety of Frames, Styles, Snapshots, and Maybelline.

    • Turn off your background or filter effect byselecting None Option for turning off background effect.

  3. Select Preview to see how the image looks before you apply it. 

  4. After you make your choice, select Stop Preview to return to the Background settings menu or Apply and turn on Video to submit the change and turn on your camera.

    Note: To exit without submitting changes, select the "X "across the Background settings banner.

Contact us

For more help, contact support or ask a question in the Microsoft Teams Community.

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