Where to find the background settings in Teams

Open Microsoft Teams and start or join a meeting. Before you turn on your camera, look for the three dots (more options) at the bottom of your screen — this is usually to the right of the mute and camera buttons. Click those dots and select Show device settings or Camera settings, depending on your Teams version. You'll see a preview of your camera feed on the left side of the window.

Look for the Blur my background or Background effects option in that settings panel. This is where you blur your background, add a solid color, or upload your own image. The exact wording changes between Teams on Windows, Mac, and the web version, but the feature is in the same place on all three.

If you're already in a meeting and want to change your background, click the three dots at the bottom of the screen again and look for Background effects or explore background effects. Some versions let you change it directly from the camera button itself — hover over the camera icon and you may see background options appear.

Key Takeaways

  • Background effects are found in device settings before you join, or in the meeting options menu once you're already on the call.
  • You can blur your background, use a solid color, or upload an image file — Teams supports .jpg, .png, and .bmp files.
  • Blurring works on any computer, but custom images require a processor fast enough to handle the effect without slowing down your video.
  • If your background effect stops working mid-meeting, check that your camera is still on and try turning the effect off and back on.

Blurring your background versus uploading an image

Blur is the simplest option and works on almost every computer. It softens everything behind you so people can see you clearly but can't read text on your wall or make out details in your room. Blur uses less processing power than a custom image, so it's the best choice if your computer is older or if you're on a slow internet connection.

A custom background image replaces everything behind you with a photo or graphic you choose. Teams comes with a few built-in options — a blurred office, a conference room, a nature scene — but you can also upload your own .jpg, .png, or .bmp file. Custom images look more polished in professional settings, but they require your computer to do more work. If your processor struggles, your video may freeze or lag.

A solid color background sits between the two. It replaces your background with a single flat color — white, blue, green, or whatever you choose. It uses very little processing power and looks clean and professional, though it can look artificial if the lighting in your room is uneven.

How to upload your own background image

Click the three dots at the bottom of your screen and select Background effects. In the panel that opens, you'll see thumbnail images of Teams' built-in backgrounds. Look for a plus sign or add button — this is usually at the bottom of the background list. Click it and choose an image file from your computer.

Teams accepts .jpg, .png, and .bmp files. The image should be at least 360 pixels wide and 270 pixels tall, though larger images work better. A landscape photo (wider than it is tall) usually looks best because it fills the space behind you without distortion. Once you upload the image, it appears in your background list and you can use it anytime you're in a meeting.

If your image looks stretched or cut off, try uploading a different size or aspect ratio. Teams crops images to fit the video frame, so test it in a practice meeting before using it in an important call. You can delete a custom background by right-clicking it and selecting delete, or by clicking the X that appears when you hover over it.

Why your background effect might not be working

The most common reason a background effect stops working is that your camera turned off. Check that the camera icon at the bottom of the screen is active (not crossed out). If it is crossed out, click it to turn the camera back on, and your background effect should return.

If your camera is on but the background effect is still missing, try turning the effect off and back on. Click the three dots, select Background effects, and click None to remove the effect. Then click the blur or image you want to use again. This usually fixes temporary glitches.

On older computers or slower internet connections, Teams may disable background effects automatically to keep your video smooth. If this happens, you'll see a message saying the effect isn't available. You can try using blur instead of a custom image, or closing other programs to free up processing power. If you're on a very slow connection, turning off the effect entirely and using a plain wall behind you is often the most reliable option.

Background effects on different Teams versions

Microsoft Teams works on Windows computers, Macs, and through a web browser. Background effects work on all three, but the steps are slightly different. On Windows and Mac, you find the settings in the three-dot menu before or during a meeting. On the web version (teams.microsoft.com), the process is the same, but some older browsers may not support custom images — blur usually works on any browser.

If you're using Teams on a phone or tablet, background effects are more limited. The mobile app supports blur on most devices, but custom images may not be available depending on your phone's processor. Check your phone's Teams app settings to see what options appear.

If you're in an organization that uses Teams through work, your IT department may have disabled custom backgrounds for security reasons. In that case, you'll only see blur and solid color options. If you need to use a specific background image for work, contact your IT support to ask if it can be added to your organization's approved list.

Tips for choosing a professional background

If you're using a custom image, choose something that looks professional and isn't too busy. A blurred office, a straightforward nature scene, or a solid color all work well. Avoid images with text, logos, or busy patterns that distract from your face or make it hard for people to focus on what you're saying.

Test your background in a practice meeting before using it in an important call. Lighting in your room affects how the background looks — if your room is very dark or very bright, the background effect may not work as well. A well-lit space with even lighting usually produces the best result.

If you're in a professional setting, check whether your organization has guidelines about backgrounds. Some workplaces prefer a specific look or have approved backgrounds you should use. If you're unsure, blur is always a safe choice — it looks professional and works on every device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated image as my background?

No, Teams only supports still images in .jpg, .png, and .bmp format. You cannot upload videos, GIFs, or animated files as backgrounds. If you want a moving background, you would need to use a third-party tool or virtual camera software, which is beyond what Teams offers built-in.

Will people see my background effect if they're using an older version of Teams?

Yes, they will see your background effect. The blur or image you choose is processed on your computer before it's sent to them, so it doesn't matter what version of Teams they're using. They'll see you with your chosen background just like anyone else on the call.

Does using a background effect slow down my internet connection?

Background effects use processing power on your computer, not your internet bandwidth. They may slow down your video slightly if your computer is older or already running many programs, but they don't make your internet connection slower. If your video is choppy, close other programs or use blur instead of a custom image.

Can I set a default background so I don't have to choose it every meeting?

Teams doesn't have a built-in default background setting. You have to choose your background each time you join a meeting. However, if you use the same background often, it will appear at the top of your background list, making it faster to select.

What if my background image file is too large?

Teams doesn't have a strict file size limit, but very large image files (over 10 MB) may take longer to upload or cause performance issues. Resize your image to a smaller file size using free tools like Paint, Preview on Mac, or online image resizers before uploading it to Teams.