How to Change or Blur Your Background in Microsoft Teams

Whether you're working from home, a coffee shop, or a room that's less than presentable, Microsoft Teams lets you blur your background or replace it with a virtual image so nobody can see what's behind you. This feature takes about 30 seconds to set up and can save you from scrambling to tidy up before a meeting.

There are two ways to access background settings: before joining a meeting, and during an active meeting.

Before joining: when you click a meeting link or start a call, Teams shows a preview screen where you can check your camera and microphone settings before entering. Look for the background effects button — it looks like a small person with a star or sparkle icon. Click it, and a panel opens on the right side of the screen. From there you can choose blur or a virtual background image.

During a meeting: if you forgot to change it beforehand, click the three-dot menu (More options) at the top of the meeting controls. Choose Effects and Avatars, then Background Effects. The same panel opens.

In the background panel, you'll see several options. The blur option is at the top — it keeps your face clear and sharp while making everything behind you soft and indistinct, like a photo taken with a fancy camera. Below that are built-in virtual backgrounds: office spaces, living rooms, outdoor scenes, and more.

You can also add your own custom background image. Scroll down in the panel to find the "+ Add New" option. This lets you upload any image from your computer — a professional office photo, a favorite travel destination, or your company's branded background if they've provided one.

One thing to keep in mind: background blur and virtual backgrounds require your computer to have enough processing power. Older laptops or budget computers may not have this option available, or the blur may appear choppy. If Teams doesn't show blur as an option, your hardware may not support it.