How to Change Background on Teams: Blur, Images or Your Own

The washing on the radiator, a toddler's art wall, the spare room that's half office and half storage: we've all got something behind us we'd rather a client didn't see. Changing your Teams background takes seconds, and it's also a quiet bit of branding if you run your own business.

Microsoft lets you blur what's behind you, pick one of its images or upload your own. You can do it before you join or in the middle of a call. Here's each route, taken from Microsoft's help pages, plus what to do when the option simply isn't there.

Changing your Teams background before a meeting on a computer

Setting it up before you join means nobody sees the mess, even for a second. Microsoft's steps:

1. Go to your Teams calendar and select the meeting.
2. Select Join.
3. On the pre-join screen, select Effects and avatars.
4. Choose a background, a blur or your own image.
5. Join the meeting.

Your camera preview shows the effect live, so you can check it looks right before anyone else does.

Changing your Teams background during a meeting

Already on the call and suddenly aware of the laundry? You can swap it without leaving. According to Microsoft:

1. In your meeting controls, select More actions.
2. Select Video effects and settings.
3. Choose Video effects.
4. Pick a background.
5. Select Preview to check it without anyone seeing.
6. Select Apply.

Preview is the step I'd never skip. It lets you see how the effect handles your hair, headphones or a coffee mug before it goes out to the whole room.

Blurring your background in Teams

If you'd rather keep things simple, a blur hides the detail but keeps the feel of a real room. Microsoft's help says to select the dropdown arrow next to Blur and choose between two options:

Blur option	When I'd use it
Standard blur	Everyday calls where you just want the clutter softened
Portrait blur	When you want the focus firmly on your face, like a photo

Uploading your own Teams background image

This is where business owners can have a bit of fun. A tidy branded image with your logo, a photo of your shop or studio, or a plain colour in your brand palette all work. Microsoft's route is to select More video effects, then Add new, and upload an image from your computer.

Microsoft says the file must be a .JPG, .PNG or .BMP. A few tips for a custom background:

• Keep your logo off-centre, because your head will sit in the middle.
• Avoid busy patterns that fight with your face.
• Choose a wide image so it fills the frame without odd stretching.
• Use your own photos or images you have the right to use.

Changing your Teams background on a phone

The mobile app has the same idea with slightly different words. Microsoft's help says:

1. Tap the meeting and tap Join.
2. On the pre-join screen, tap Background effects.
3. Tap an effect, tap Add new to use your own photo, or tap None to turn effects off.
4. Tap Done.

During a meeting on your phone, tap More, then Background effects, and pick from the same list.

Using the Decorate effect in Teams

Microsoft also lists a Decorate effect that dresses up your real room rather than replacing it. It offers five options: Clean up, Fancy, Greenhouse, Celebration and Surprise me. You select Generate to preview one, then Apply, and you need your video turned on to use it. If you don't see Decorate, it may not be available on your device or account.

Picking a Teams background that suits client calls

For internal catch-ups, anything goes. For a pitch or a first meeting with a new client, I'd keep it calm. A soft blur of your real room tends to feel the most human, because people can tell you're in an actual space without seeing the detail. A branded image works well for webinars, training sessions and anything you might record and reuse later, since your logo travels with every clip.

Whatever you choose, sit back and look at the preview as if you were the client. If your eye goes to the background before your face, it's too busy.

How long your Teams background stays on

Microsoft says your chosen background stays on in all your meetings and calls until you change it again. That's useful if you've built a branded image, and a surprise if you set something silly for a team quiz and forget. To turn effects off, open the same menu and select None.

If you're working from home full time, a reliable setup makes a real difference. My guide to how remote jobs work in practice covers more of the everyday habits that help.

If you can't change your background on Teams

Microsoft's help names a few limits:

1. Linux users can't use background effects.
2. Background effects aren't available through optimised virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), which some workplaces use.
3. If you don't see the option in the menu, Microsoft says the feature might not be available on your device.
4. Check your camera is on. Effects only show once there's video.
5. Update Teams and restart it.
6. If you're on a work computer, ask your IT admin whether the feature has been switched off.

A final word on calls generally: what's behind you is only one part of being comfortable on camera. If an AI note-taker is also listening, I've explained the note-taker problem nobody warns you about, which is worth a look before your next client meeting.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my background on Teams before a meeting?

Select the meeting in your Teams calendar and select Join. On the pre-join screen, select Effects and avatars, pick a background or blur, then join.

How do I change my Teams background during a call?

Select More actions, then Video effects and settings, choose Video effects, pick a background, select Preview and then Apply.

Can I use my own picture as a Teams background?

Yes. Select More video effects, then Add new, and upload a .JPG, .PNG or .BMP file from your computer.

Why can't I change my background in Teams?

Microsoft says Linux users can't use the feature, it isn't available through optimised VDI, and it may not be available on your device. Your camera also needs to be on.

Does my Teams background stay on for every meeting?

Yes. Microsoft says it stays on in all your meetings and calls until you change it. Select None to switch effects off.