The quickest way to change your Teams background

You can change your background in Microsoft Teams during a video call or before one starts. Click the three dots next to your video preview, select Show background effects, then choose a built-in blur, image, or custom photo. The setting applies only to that call unless you pin it as your default. If you want the same background for every call, set it once and Teams will remember it.

The process takes about 10 seconds and works the same way on Windows, Mac, and the web version of Teams. Mobile apps have a slightly different menu but the same options.

Key Takeaways

  • Background effects are found in the video preview menu during or before a call, accessed through the three-dot menu next to your camera icon.
  • Teams offers blur, solid colors, and built-in images, plus the option to upload your own photo from your computer.
  • You can change your background for a single call or set a default that applies to all future calls.
  • Background effects work on Windows, Mac, web, and mobile, though the menu location differs slightly on phones and tablets.

Where to find background settings on your computer

On Windows or Mac, open Teams and start a video call or click the camera icon in the top right to preview yourself. Look for three dots (the "more" menu) next to your video preview. Click it and you will see Show background effects as one of the options. This opens a panel on the right side showing all available backgrounds.

If you are not yet in a call, you can also access this from the main Teams window. Click your profile picture in the top right, go to Settings, then Devices, and scroll down to Camera. You will see a preview of yourself with the three-dot menu in the same spot.

Built-in backgrounds and how to use them

Teams comes with several preset backgrounds: blur (which softens everything behind you), light blur (a gentler version), and a collection of professional images like offices, nature scenes, and abstract designs. Blur is the most common choice because it keeps focus on you without requiring any setup.

To apply one, click it in the background effects panel and it takes effect immediately. You will see the change in your preview. If you switch to a different background during a call, other participants see the change right away. You can also toggle background effects off entirely by clicking the X or selecting None.

Adding your own photo as a background

At the bottom of the background effects panel, you will see a + icon or Add new button. Click it to browse your computer for an image file. Teams accepts JPG, PNG, and BMP files. The photo should be at least 360 pixels wide and 202 pixels tall, though larger images work better and will not be stretched.

Once you upload a photo, it appears in your background list and stays there for future calls. You can upload multiple photos and switch between them. If you want to remove a custom background, hover over it and click the trash icon that appears.

Changing backgrounds on your phone or tablet

On the Teams mobile app, start a video call and tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen. Select Background effects or Blur my background depending on your device. The menu works the same way as the desktop version, though the layout is more compact to fit the smaller screen.

Mobile apps have the same built-in options and the ability to add custom photos from your phone's camera roll. The process is identical: tap the plus icon, choose a photo, and it saves to your background list. Changes take effect immediately in the call.

Saving a default background for all calls

If you find a background you like and want to use it every time, select it and Teams will remember your choice. The next call you join, that background will be active by default. You can still change it for individual calls by opening the background effects menu again.

To change your default, go back to the background effects panel and click a different one. There is no separate "set as default" button — whichever background you select last becomes your new default. This applies across all your devices if you are signed into the same Teams account.

Troubleshooting background effects that do not work

If the background effects option is missing or grayed out, your camera may not be working or Teams may not have permission to use it. Check that your camera is connected and working by going to Settings > Devices > Camera and looking at the preview. If you see yourself, the camera is fine.

On some older computers or with certain camera hardware, background effects may be unavailable. In that case, blur is usually the only option. If background effects are completely missing from your menu, restart Teams or update it to the latest version. You can check for updates in Settings > About Teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can other people see my background before I join a call?

No. Your background only appears to others once you turn on your camera during a call. Before that, they see a blank screen or your profile picture. You can preview your background in the effects panel before joining to make sure it looks right.

Will my background work if I have a poor internet connection?

Background effects require some processing power but not much bandwidth. If your connection is very slow, disabling background effects may help reduce lag, but most internet speeds will handle them fine. Blur uses less processing than custom images, so try that if you experience slowness.

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

No. Teams only supports static image files like JPG and PNG. Videos and animated GIFs will not work. You can only use still photos or the built-in preset backgrounds.

What happens to my background settings if I sign out of Teams?

Your custom photos and default background choice stay saved to your account. When you sign back in, your settings are there. If you sign in on a different device with the same account, your custom backgrounds and default choice follow you.

Do background effects work in Teams meetings with recording on?

Yes. Your background appears in the recording exactly as it appears to other participants during the call. If you use blur, the recording will show blur. If you use a custom image, that image appears in the recording.