How to Change Your Background on Teams (2026)
Microsoft Teams lets you swap your real surroundings for a built-in image, your own uploaded photo, or a simple blur. Here’s how to set a virtual background before or during a meeting, and how to add a custom one.
Change Your Background Before Joining
- Start to join the meeting to reach the preview screen.
- Click Background filters (the Effects icon under your video).
- Pick any built-in background, or Blur.
- Confirm the preview, then click Join now.
Change It During a Meeting
- Click More (the …) on the toolbar.
- Choose Effects and avatars (older versions: Apply background effects).
- Select a background.
- Click Preview, then Apply.
Upload a Custom Background
Want your own image — a logo wall, a tidy room, a brand backdrop?
- Open Effects and avatars (pre-join or in-meeting).
- Click Add new at the top of the background gallery.
- Select a JPG or PNG from your computer.
- It appears in the gallery — click it to apply.
Use a high-resolution 16:9 image so it fills the tile cleanly without stretching.
Change Background on Mobile (iOS/Android)
- Before or during the meeting, tap More (the …).
- Tap Background effects (or Video effects).
- Tap a background or Blur, then Done.
Custom uploads are limited on mobile — use the desktop app to add your own image.
Troubleshooting
I don’t see background options
On Teams for web, virtual backgrounds are limited — use the desktop app. Older hardware that lacks AVX2 support also can’t run them.
”Add new” is missing
Custom background upload can be restricted by your IT admin, or it isn’t available on web/mobile. Try the desktop app, or pick from the built-in gallery.
My background flickers or shows through me
Use a plain, well-lit space and a solid-colored top. Busy real backgrounds and poor lighting make the edge detection unstable.
My uploaded image looks stretched
Use a 16:9 image at a high resolution. Square or portrait images get cropped or distorted to fit the video tile.
Camera has to be on
Background effects only appear when your camera is enabled. Turn on video first.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Built-in background | Background filters > pick an image |
| Upload your own | Effects and avatars > Add new |
| Blur instead | See blur your background |
| Change mid-meeting | More > Effects and avatars |
| Remove background | Effects and avatars > None |
Related Teams guides: How to blur your background in Teams · How to turn off your camera on Teams · How to change your name on Teams · How to share your screen on Teams · The best AI note takers for Zoom, Teams & Meet
Ready to automate your busywork?
Carly schedules, researches, and briefs you—so you can focus on what matters.
Get Carly Today →Or explore our free tools
