Change your background in three steps

Open Zoom and start or join a meeting. Click the arrow next to the mute button at the bottom of your screen, then select Virtual Background. Choose a built-in background, upload your own image, or blur your actual background. The change takes effect when ready for everyone else in the meeting.

If the Virtual Background option does not appear, your device may not meet Zoom's requirements. Most computers made in the last five years support this feature, but older machines or those with less than 4 GB of RAM sometimes cannot run it smoothly.

You can also set a default background before you join a meeting. Go to your Zoom settings, click Virtual Background under the Video section, and choose what you want to use every time you turn on your camera. This saves you from having to adjust it during each call.

Key Takeaways

  • Virtual backgrounds work during a meeting by clicking the arrow next to the mute button and selecting the option from the menu.
  • You can use Zoom's built-in backgrounds, upload a photo from your computer, or straightforward blur your real background without replacing it.
  • Setting a default background in your Zoom settings means you will not have to change it manually before every meeting.
  • Older computers or devices with less than 4 GB of RAM may not support virtual backgrounds or may experience lag when using them.
  • A blurred background hides details in your room without requiring you to find or create a replacement image.

Using Zoom's built-in backgrounds

Zoom includes a library of preset backgrounds you can use without uploading anything. These range from professional office settings to abstract designs and nature scenes. During a meeting, click the arrow next to the mute button, select Virtual Background, and browse the thumbnails. Click any one to explore it when ready.

Built-in backgrounds work on almost all devices, but they may look slightly pixelated or have rough edges around your head and shoulders if your lighting is poor. The effect improves in bright, even light. If you are sitting in front of a window or lamp, the background will blend more smoothly with your outline.

Uploading your own image as a background

You can use any photo from your computer as a Zoom background. During a meeting, click the arrow next to the mute button, select Virtual Background, and look for a + icon or Add Image button. Click it, navigate to a photo on your computer, and select it. The image will appear as an option you can click to set up.

The best images for Zoom backgrounds are at least 1920 by 1080 pixels in size. Smaller images may look blurry or stretched. Avoid photos with busy patterns or people in them, since Zoom's background detection can confuse those elements with your actual body and create strange cutout effects around your edges.

Once you upload an image, it stays in your Virtual Background library. You can use it in future meetings without uploading it again. To remove it, right-click the thumbnail and select Delete.

Blurring your background instead of replacing it

If you do not want to use a replacement background, you can blur your actual surroundings instead. This hides what is behind you without requiring an image file. Click the arrow next to the mute button, select Virtual Background, and choose Blur from the options at the top.

Blurred backgrounds are less demanding on your computer than virtual backgrounds and work better on older devices. The blur effect is applied in real time, so your actual room remains visible but softened and out of focus. This is useful if you want to hide clutter or personal items without looking like you are sitting in front of a fake office.

Setting a default background before meetings

You can choose a background that will be active every time you turn on your camera, so you do not have to change it during each meeting. On Windows or Mac, open the Zoom process, click your profile picture in the top right, and select Settings. Click Video on the left side, then scroll down to Virtual Background.

Check the box next to Enable Virtual Background, then choose a built-in background, upload an image, or select blur. When you join your next meeting, this background will already be active. You can still change it during the call if you need to, but the default saves you a step.

Troubleshooting when virtual backgrounds do not work

If the Virtual Background option is grayed out or missing entirely, your device may not have enough processing power. Zoom requires at least 4 GB of RAM and a processor from the last five to seven years. On older computers, the feature may not appear at all.

If the background works but looks choppy or lags, close other programs running in the background. Video editing software, web browsers with many tabs, and streaming services use a lot of memory. Closing them frees up resources for Zoom. You can also try switching to a simpler background or using blur instead of a virtual image.

Make sure your camera has good lighting. Poor lighting makes it harder for Zoom to detect where you end and the background begins, which can cause the edges around your body to look jagged or for parts of the background to cut into your image. A light source in front of you, rather than behind you, produces the best results.

Mobile devices and virtual backgrounds

Virtual backgrounds on phones and tablets work the same way as on computers, but the feature is available only on newer devices. On iPhone, you need iOS 12 or later and an iPhone 11 or newer. On Android, you need Android 8 or later and a phone with at least 4 GB of RAM.

To use a virtual background on mobile, join or start a meeting, tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen, and select Virtual Background. The process is identical to the desktop version. Mobile devices sometimes handle backgrounds less smoothly than computers, so if you experience lag, try using blur instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see my real background if I use a virtual one?

No. When you enable a virtual background, other meeting participants see only the background you selected, not your actual room. The background replaces what is behind you from their perspective.

What image file types work for custom backgrounds?

Zoom accepts JPG, PNG, and GIF files. Most photos on your computer are already in one of these formats. If you have an image in a different format, you can convert it using free online tools or image editing software before uploading it to Zoom.

Does using a virtual background slow down my internet connection?

Virtual backgrounds use your computer's processing power, not your internet bandwidth. A slow connection will not affect the background, but an older computer may struggle to run both the background and the video call at the same time. If your video is choppy, the problem is likely your device, not your internet.

Can I use a video as a Zoom background instead of a still image?

Zoom does not support video backgrounds on most devices. You can only use still images, built-in backgrounds, or blur. Some third-party tools claim to add video background support, but they are not officially supported by Zoom and may cause stability issues.

Will my background setting stay the same if I update Zoom?

Yes. Your default background choice and any custom images you have uploaded will remain after a Zoom update. However, if you uninstall and reinstall Zoom, you will need to re-upload custom images and reset your default background.