Change Background in MS Teams Before and During a Meeting

Changing your background in Microsoft Teams helps you look professional and keeps your space private during meetings. Whether you want to blur distractions or upload a custom image, Teams makes it easy to adjust your virtual background before you join.

The updated Microsoft Teams app now includes new background effects, quick access to settings, and preview options before you enter a meeting. You can instantly test how your background looks and make changes with just a few clicks.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to change the background in Microsoft Teams before and during a meeting
• Common background issues and how to fix them
• How to use AI tools to upgrade your Microsoft Teams experience

‍

How To Change or Blur Background In Microsoft Teams Before A Meeting

Setting up your background before a Teams meeting is quick and helps you look polished on camera. You can blur your background, choose from Teams backgrounds, or upload your own custom image before joining.

How to change the background in Microsoft Teams before a meeting

1. Open Microsoft Teams, and go to your calendar from the sidebar.

2. Select a meeting and click Join.

3. On the pre-join screen, click Background filters.

4. Scroll through the available background images and effects, then select one that fits your meeting style.

5. To upload your own image, click Add new, then choose a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file from your computer. You’ll see a preview before joining.

6. Check your preview window to see how it looks, then select Join now to confirm.

7. If you want to remove it, select None to turn off background effects. Your selected Teams background will stay active in future video meetings until you change it again.

💡 Pro tip: Try adding a branded or fun Teams background to match your meeting vibe. Explore the best funny backgrounds for your MS Teams meetings.

How to blur the background in Microsoft Teams before a meeting

You can also blur your background before joining a meeting.

1. Open Microsoft Teams and go to your calendar from the sidebar.

2. Select a meeting and click Join.

3. On the pre-join screen, click Background filters.

4. Click the dropdown arrow shown below to choose between Standard blur or Portrait blur. Use Portrait blur for a softer, camera-style focus that works well for high-quality video meetings.

5. Check your preview window to see how it looks, then select Join now to confirm.

This setting helps you blur your background and keep the focus on your video feed, ideal for quick calls or when your workspace isn’t camera-ready.

💡 Pro tip: Want your meetings to look good and run smarter? Try Tactiq’s in-meeting AI for real-time transcription, summaries, and instant action items inside Microsoft Teams. No paid plan is needed.

‍

How To Change or Blur Background In Microsoft Teams During A Meeting

You can also change or blur your Microsoft Teams background while you’re already in a meeting. This is useful if you join from a different location or simply want to switch to a new background image mid-call.

How to change the background in Microsoft Teams during a meeting

1. During a Teams meeting, open your meeting controls and click the More actions (⋯) icon, then select Video effects and settings.

2. In the Video effects window, you’ll see options to choose a Teams’ background or upload a custom background.

3. To upload your own image, click Add new and choose a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file from your computer.

4. Click Preview to check how it looks on your video feed, then select Apply.

How to blur the background in Microsoft Teams during a meeting

If you don’t want to use a background image, you can simply blur your background during a Teams meeting.

1. In your meeting window, click More actions (⋯) in the top menu then select Video effects and settings.

2. In the Video effects panel, click the dropdown arrow shown below to choose between Standard blur or Portrait blur. Use Portrait blur for a softer, camera-style focus that works well for high-quality video meetings.

3. Click Preview to see how it looks, then select Apply to confirm.

Common Issues and Solutions for Changing Background in Microsoft Teams

Even with the latest Microsoft Teams updates, you might still run into issues when trying to change your background. Here’s what can go wrong and how to troubleshoot quickly.

You can’t find background settings

If the background settings or video effects option isn’t showing up, update your Microsoft Teams application. Microsoft frequently releases improvements to background effects, including new portrait blur and Teams backgrounds.

Background effects don’t work on your device

If you select a background image and nothing changes, your device might not meet Teams’ hardware requirements. Older devices sometimes lack the processing power to support background effects or virtual backgrounds.

You can’t upload your own images

If the option to upload a custom background or own image is missing, your organization’s admin may have disabled it. Some companies restrict background effects for privacy or consistency.

Ask your IT admin to review your organization’s meeting policies. They can enable custom backgrounds or update your permissions.

Your background isn’t applying after selection

Sometimes, you click Apply but your chosen background image doesn’t appear during the call. This is usually a temporary glitch in Teams.

Close the Teams window completely, reopen it, and try again. If it still doesn’t work, restart your computer before rejoining your Teams meeting.

How Tactiq Turns Microsoft Teams Transcripts into Instant Summaries

Once your Microsoft Teams background is set, you can improve your meeting experience with Tactiq’s in-meeting AI. It’s a free, real-time transcriber that captures every word, summarizes conversations, and turns insights into instant action items. No need for a Microsoft 365 Copilot plan.

While Microsoft Teams Intelligent Recap offers AI summaries, it’s only available through paid Teams Premium or Copilot plans. Tactiq delivers similar real-time insights for free and works across Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet so you can stay focused, no matter the platform.

Here’s what you can do with Tactiq in your Teams meetings:

• See live transcriptions and AI summaries as your meeting unfolds.
• Ask AI questions like “What decisions have we made so far?” or “Summarize this in one line.”
• Brainstorm ideas with prompts such as “How can we refine this plan?”
• Get action items instantly, so everyone leaves knowing their next steps.
• Use AI Workflows to create follow-up emails, task lists, or updates from your transcript automatically.
• Upload and analyze existing transcripts to turn past recordings into AI-powered summaries and meeting notes.

Tactiq gives you the real-time power of Intelligent Recap without the price tag. Try the free Tactiq Chrome Extension for Microsoft Teams to bring transcription, AI insights, and automation to your next meeting.

{{rt_cta_ai-convenience}}

Wrapping Up

Changing your background in Microsoft Teams is a simple way to look polished and stay focused during video calls. But with tools like Tactiq, you can do more than just look prepared. You can run smarter, more productive meetings.

Tactiq’s free in-meeting AI gives you live transcriptions, instant summaries, and actionable insights in real time – features that usually require paid plans like Microsoft Teams’ Intelligent Recap. It helps you capture ideas, align your team, and turn every meeting into measurable outcomes.

Tactiq keeps your conversations organized and your team on track, so you can leave each call confident, clear, and ready to take action.

‍

FAQs About How to Change Backgrounds in Microsoft Teams

How do you change your background in Microsoft Teams before a meeting?

Open Microsoft Teams and go to your calendar. Select your meeting and click Join. On the pre-join screen, click Background filters, browse the available images, or click Add new to upload your own. Preview your background, then select Join now to confirm.

What should you do if you can’t change your background in Teams?

Check for updates in your profile menu to make sure you’re using the latest version of Teams. If the issue continues, verify your device meets the hardware requirements and confirm your admin hasn’t disabled background effects.

Can you upload your own background image in Microsoft Teams?

Yes. In the pre-join screen, click Add new under Background filters, and upload a .JPG, .PNG, or .BMP file from your computer. You can preview it before joining. To remove it later, select None to turn off background effects.

How does Tactiq improve your Microsoft Teams meetings?

Tactiq offers real-time transcription, AI summaries, and action items during your meeting. It helps you focus on discussions, automate follow-ups, and share notes instantly. No paid plan or Copilot license required.

What are some quick fixes if your background changes aren’t applying in Teams?

Restart the Teams app or your computer. If that doesn’t work, check your Video effects settings again before rejoining. This usually fixes temporary glitches and applies your chosen background correctly.

‍