Where to find the backdrop feature in Teams

The backdrop feature in Microsoft Teams lets you blur your background, replace it with a solid color, or use a custom image during video calls. You access it through the camera preview before you join a meeting, or during an active call through the "More actions" menu.

Before joining a meeting, look for the camera icon in the top right of your screen. Click it to open the preview window. At the bottom of the preview, you'll see a row of icons — one of them looks like three vertical dots or says "More options". Click that to reveal the background settings.

If you're already in a meeting, hover your mouse over your own video tile. A toolbar appears with several icons. Look for the three dots (More actions) and click it. The background options will appear in a menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Backdrop settings are found in the camera preview before joining, or through the More actions menu during a call.
  • Teams offers blur, solid colors, and custom images as backdrop options, and blur works on most computers without extra setup.
  • Custom images must be in JPG or PNG format and typically work best at 1920 × 1080 pixels or smaller.
  • If the backdrop feature doesn't appear, your camera may not support it, or you may need to update Teams to the latest version.

Using blur and preset backgrounds

The easiest option is blur, which softens everything behind you without removing it. Click the blur icon (usually a circle with soft edges) and your background will blur when ready in the preview. Blur works on most computers and doesn't require you to upload anything.

Teams also includes preset backgrounds — solid colors and straightforward patterns. These appear as small squares or tiles in the background menu. Click any one to see how it looks in your preview. The change happens when ready, so you can try several before joining the call.

Blur is the most reliable option across different computers and internet speeds. If you're on an older laptop or a slower connection, blur may work when custom images cause lag or freezing during the call.

Adding your own background image

To use a custom image, you need a JPG or PNG file saved on your computer. The image should be at least 960 × 540 pixels, though 1920 × 1080 works best. Avoid very large files — Teams may slow down if the image is several megabytes.

In the background menu, look for a button that says "Add new" or shows a plus sign. Click it and browse to the image file on your computer. Select it and Teams will add it to your background options. The next time you open the background menu, your custom image will appear as a tile you can click to explore.

Custom images stay in your background library until you delete them. You can add multiple images and switch between them during calls. If an image looks distorted or stretched, it may not match the aspect ratio Teams expects — try a different image or resize the original file to 16:9 proportions.

Troubleshooting backdrop problems

If the background button doesn't appear in your preview or call, your camera may not support the feature. Some older webcams or built-in laptop cameras lack the processing power Teams needs. Try using blur first — it requires less from your camera than custom images.

If blur works but custom images don't, your computer may not have enough memory or processing power to handle the image during the call. Try a smaller image file or a simpler image with fewer colors. You can also close other programs before the call to free up resources.

Make sure you're running the latest version of Teams. Open Teams, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Check for updates", and install any available updates. An outdated version may not show the background feature even if your camera supports it.

What happens when you change your backdrop mid-call

You can change your backdrop at any time during a meeting without leaving the call. Hover over your video, click More actions, and select a different background. The change takes effect in a second or two — other people on the call will see the new backdrop, but the switch won't interrupt the meeting.

If you switch to a custom image and it causes your video to freeze or lag, switch back to blur or a preset color. This usually fixes the problem when ready. You can experiment with different backdrops during the call to find what works smoothly on your connection.

Privacy and background image tips

Your backdrop choice is visible only to other people on the call — it doesn't change what's actually behind you in your physical space. If you're concerned about what's visible in your real background, a backdrop is a good solution, but remember that a blurred or fake background doesn't hide sound. People on the call can still hear activity in your room.

When choosing a custom image, pick something professional if it's a work call, or something that reflects your personality if it's a casual meeting. Avoid images with text that's hard to read or patterns that are too busy — they can be distracting and may make it harder for people to focus on your face.

If you upload an image with people in it, make sure you have permission to use it. Teams stores your custom backgrounds on your device, not on Microsoft's servers, so only you can see your uploaded images.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people tell if I'm using a fake background?

Not always. A good blur or solid color looks natural. A custom image might look slightly artificial if the lighting doesn't match your face, or if the image edges show glitches where your head meets the background. Most people won't notice unless they're looking closely.

What image size works best for a custom backdrop?

1920 × 1080 pixels (full HD) is ideal. Smaller images like 1280 × 720 also work fine. Very large files (over 5 MB) may slow down your video. If your image looks stretched or cut off, resize it to a 16:9 aspect ratio to match your camera's output.

Why does my backdrop disappear when I move?

If your backdrop flickers or disappears when you move, your camera may be struggling to process it. Try switching to blur, which is less demanding. You can also close other programs, reduce your video quality in Teams settings, or move closer to your camera to help it track you better.

Can I use the same backdrop on my phone and computer?

Custom images you upload on your computer won't automatically appear on your phone. You'll need to upload the image again in the Teams mobile app. Preset colors and blur are available on both, so those are your best option if you switch devices during the day.

Does using a backdrop slow down my internet connection?

A backdrop uses your computer's processing power, not your internet bandwidth. If your call gets choppy after you add a custom backdrop, the problem is your computer running out of memory or CPU power, not your internet speed. Switching to blur or closing other programs usually fixes it.