How Do I Change the Background on Microsoft Teams?

How Do I Change the Background on Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a communication platform. You can use Microsoft products or non-Microsoft products on the platform to hold video chats and meetings, among other functions.

Microsoft Teams is geared towards business meetings rather than social ones. If you select the 'Friends and Family' option in Microsoft Teams, you will be redirected to Skype.

There will be a background to the call when holding a video call or meeting using Microsoft Teams. You can let the background be the natural setting of the place you are in or make it more exciting.

One option you have when changing your background is to make it completely blurred. Another option is to replace it with an image of your choosing.

However, if you blur your background, you may prevent other meeting participants from seeing important information located in the background. Therefore, you should ensure that your background is entirely plain or devoid of anything important before blurring it.

To change your background on Microsoft Teams, you will need two things: access to Microsoft Teams and a high-quality camera. The camera can be an external one or an in-built one.

Changing Your Microsoft Teams Background

You have two options as far as changing your Microsoft Teams background is concerned. You can either change the background before the meeting starts or during a meeting.

Changing the Background Before a Meeting

You can change the background before starting or joining a Microsoft Teams meeting. The process is as follows:

1. Access the Microsoft Teams portal.
2. Go to the settings.
3. Select ‘Background Effects' located to the right of the microphone switch. Once you do, the background option will appear to the right.
4. If you want to blur your background, select 'Blur.' You will be vividly visible while your background will be concealed subtly.
5. To change the background to an image, you can either select one of the images provided or select one of your choosing. To upload an image from your computer storage, click 'Add New.' The image has to be a 'jpg, .bmp or .png file.

The image you select will be your new background for all your video calls and meetings until you decide to change it. You may be unable to change your background before a meeting starts if the feature is not yet available for your particular device.

Changing Your Background During a Meeting

Changing your background while a meeting is ongoing is the method most Microsoft Teams users prefer and is available on most devices.

Linux users will not be able to do this as the system does not allow this feature. The background effects will not be accessible for those using Teams through optimized virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

The process of changing your background during a meeting on Microsoft Teams is as follows:

1. Access the Microsoft Teams portal.
2. Join or start a meeting.
3. Once the meeting is underway, go to your meeting controls.
4. Select ‘More Actions' or the three-dot icon in the meeting controls.
5. Select ‘Show Background Effects.' You have the option to either blur the background or select an image for the background at this stage.
6. Please choose one of the images provided or upload one from your computer as long as it is a.bmp, .jpg, or .png file. To upload a picture from storage, click ‘Add New.'
7. You will see a preview of the background before applying it. If you want to change it, repeat step 6. Once done, click 'Apply.'

If you have any trouble changing the background on Microsoft Teams, contact customer service for assistance.