How to Blur Your Background in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams can blur the background of your live camera feed while keeping you visible. You can select the effect before joining a meeting or change it during a call. Start in the camera preview so you can see the result before other participants do.

Edit a saved meeting recording.

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Set background blur before joining

Step 1: Open the meeting preview

Open the meeting and select Join to reach the pre-join screen. Confirm that the intended camera is selected and that the preview shows the view you plan to share.

Step 2: Choose the blur effect

On desktop, open Effects and avatars, then choose a blur option. On mobile, open Background effects, select the effect and tap Done. Microsoft documents the current controls in its Teams background guide.

Step 3: Inspect the preview and join

Check the area around your head and shoulders while moving naturally. Look at shelves, windows and objects near the edge of your outline. Adjust your position or room setup if the view is not what you intend to share, then join.

Change the effect during a meeting

On desktop, use More actions → Video effects and settings → Video effects, choose the blur, preview it and apply it. On mobile, open More → Background effects, select the effect and tap Done. Menu labels may vary with the client.

If the control is missing or the effect does not appear, follow the separate Teams background troubleshooting guide. It covers device, client and organizational settings without repeating the setup workflow.

Make the live preview easier to check

Place the camera where you can comfortably stay inside the frame. A simple room arrangement makes the intended background easier to assess. Try the movements you expect during the meeting, such as reaching for notes or turning toward another screen.

Keep the practical goal clear: the preview should show the part of the room and person you want others to see. If a specific object is sensitive, moving it out of the camera’s view is more predictable than relying on an effect boundary around it.

Live meetings and saved recordings are different jobs

The Teams control changes your live camera background. It is not a setting for redacting other participants' faces or fixing every detail in an existing recording.

For a saved video that you are authorized to edit, use a video editor and review the recorded frames. The partial-video blur tutorial covers regions such as labels and other visible details; the face-blur tutorial covers people. You can start those recorded-file edits in the video blur tool.

FAQ

Will Teams remember my background choice?

Microsoft says the background persists for later meetings and calls until you change it. Check the preview before an important meeting rather than relying only on the previous session.

Where should I look if the blur option is missing?

Use the troubleshooting guide to check your client, device and organizational settings.

Does background blur guarantee that nothing behind me is visible?

No. Inspect the preview and move anything that must stay out of view away from the camera. Pay particular attention to objects near your outline.