Do you want to blur your background in Zoom? It’s a great way to provide you with more privacy or make your video conferences look more professional.
This ultimate guide will walk you through each step to blur your background in Zoom on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. We’ll also provide solutions if you can’t seem to enable the blur background function in Zoom. Let’s get started!
What Is Background Blur, and Why Do You Need It?
Background blur is a common feature in video conferencing that helps to blur the background of your video feed so that the focus is on you. Virtual Background is a free and powerful feature for your Zoom meetings.
Best Uses of Background Blur in Zoom
- You’re giving a presentation, or you want to make sure that your environment is not distracting to others.
- Ensure your video meeting is professional and polished with a consistent background.
- Keep your information confidential and feel comfortable no matter where you are.
How to Blur Your Background on Zoom
If you’re using Zoom for video calls, you may have noticed that the default settings make it very easy for people to see what’s happening behind you. Whether you’re working from home or just want to keep your personal life private, there are a few ways to blur or change your background during a Zoom call.
- How to Blur Your Background in Zoom on Windows/Mac
- How to Blur the Background for Zoom Meetings on iPhone/Android
- How to Upload a Blurred Background Image in Zoom
- How to Fix the “No Blur Background Option in Zoom” Error
- Things to Keep in Mind when Blurring Your Background
How to blur background in Zoom
How to Blur Your Background in Zoom on Windows/Mac
By taking a few seconds to change your background before a call, you can help ensure that your personal life remains private.
Steps to Enable a Blurred Background before a Video Call
- Launch the Zoom desktop app on your Windows or Mac.
- Click your profile icon > Settings (or zoom.us > Preferences from the toolbar).
Open Zoom settings - Choose the Background & Filters option on the left sidebar.
- Select Blur.
Enable Zoom background blur feature
That’s it! You have a blurry background, and your surroundings will be obscured.
You Can Also Blur the Background inside a Zoom Meeting:
- Click the upwards arrow next to the Camera icon.
- Select Blur My Background.
Choose Blur My Background in Zoom
Tips: The background blur can be used with the Zoom studio effects and their virtual filters.
How to Blur the Background for Zoom Meetings on iPhone/Android
The Zoom app allows you to make free video calls and join meetings from anywhere. With a virtual background, you can enjoy the comfort of your home or take it with you on the go.
Steps:
- Open your Zoom app and sign into your account.
- Tap More in the bottom right-hand corner once you join in a meeting.
- For Android: Tap Virtual Background. For iOS: Tap Background & Effects.
- Choose the Blur option.
How to blur background in Zoom app
Done! Your background behind you is blurred now.
How to Upload a Blurred Background Image on Zoom
The in-built blur background effect seems to be an extreme blur. It is almost too blurry so that it looks too fake and doesn’t reflect the shallow depth of the field look commonly associated with DSLR cameras.
So another option is to create your own blurred background to control the amount of blur effect.
Steps:
- Snap a shot of your current background using your webcam or your phone.
- Apply the amount of blur effect you desire to that image inside Kapwing – an online image, video, and gif editing platform.
Adjust the blur effect for Zoom background image - Save your image by clicking Export image > Download.
Download the blurred background for Zoom - Upload the image as your virtual background inside Zoom.
How to upload your own blurred backgound in Zoom
Now it shows your actual background with the perfect touch of a blur.
You can also use the blurred background on your phone:
- Open the Zoom mobile app, and sign into your account.
- Tap More in the bottom right-hand corner.
- Tap Virtual Background (for Android) or Background & Effects (for iPhone).
Find the Virtuial Backgound feature on Zoom app - Tap the plus icon to upload the image to your app.
How to change Zoom background
Now you have a blurred background on your mobile device.
How to Fix the “No Blur Background Option in Zoom” Error
Many people have difficulty blurring their backgrounds on Zoom, but it’s actually a very simple function. Keep reading to find out both the reasons and solutions to this problem.
Reason Why There Is No Blur Background Option in Zoom
- The web portal does not have the virtual Background feature enabled.
- Your installed Zoom version is outdated and does not support the Blur Background feature.
- The processor in your computer isn’t compatible with the system requirements.
5 Ways to Fix the Issue of “No Blur Background Option in Zoom”
If you’re having trouble enabling the blur background function in Zoom, there may be a problem with your settings. There are a few things you can try to fix this issue:
1. Activate the Virtual Background function on the web portal.
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
- Click Settings from the navigation menu.
Find Settings on Zoom web portal - In the Meeting tab, go to the Virtual Background option (it should be under the In Meeting (Advanced) section).
Zoom advanced meeting settings - If the setting is disabled, click the status toggle to enable it.
Enable the Blur Background Option on Zoom web
If a verification message pops up, select “Turn On” to verify the change.
If the option is grayed out, it means that it has been locked at either the group or account level. To change this, you will need to contact your Zoom administrator.
2. Sign out and sign in to your account.
If the ‘Virtual Background’ tab doesn’t show up even though you enabled it on the web portal, try signing out and then back in again to Zoom.
3. Update to the latest version of Zoom.
Click your profile icon > Check for Updates to update Zoom to the most recent version.
When it is done, restart your device and open Zoom to see if the Virtual Background tab appears.
4. Check your computer compatibility.
If you don’t see the option for blurred background, your computer processor might not meet system requirements since it’s from an unsupported generation.
For a complete list of requirements, please check this page to see if your device meets the system requirements for blur background.
5. Contact Zoom customer support for further assistance
If you still fail to blur your zoom background, complete a form on the Zoom support center to receive help from the customer service team.
Things to Keep in Mind when Blurring Your Background
When it comes to blurring your background, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Zoom in as much as possible. This will help to ensure that your subject is in sharp focus while the background is nicely blurred.
- Prepare your scene before a meeting. Move any clutter out of the way and make sure that there’s nothing in the background that will distract from your subject.
- Test your background. Start a New Meeting to check what the blurred Zoom background looks like.
With these tricks, you can be confident that your audiences will only have eyes for you, not what’s going on behind your back.
Don’t Blur Your Zoom Background.
Zoom is a great way to stay connected with your family and friends, no matter where you are. When you have a Zoom video call, you may want to be able to see the other person’s environment. This can help to communicate how you’re feeling, and it can also give you a sense of who the person is.
For example, if you are talking to someone in their office, you can see the pictures on their desk and get a sense of their personality. If you are talking to someone at home, you can see the things they have in their background and get a sense of their lifestyle. This can be essential for getting to know the person you’re talking to and get closer with them.
I have a friend who hangs her violins on the wall. Sometimes, I ask her to play something for me so we can enjoy each other’s company and freely talk. It would be a pity if I never got to see where she lives.
No matter where you are, stay connected with your loved ones, have no virtual background, and be honest about your feelings and surroundings.
FAQ
How to Turn Off Background Blur in Zoom?
Please remember that your virtual background will be carried over to all future meetings once you elect to blur your home surroundings.
To disable the blurred Zoom background:
Go to your profile picture > Settings > Backgrounds & Effects > None.
Do I Need a Green Screen to Blur My Background in Zoom?
No, you don’t need.
However, using a green screen on Zoom does create a crisper and more professional virtual background. If you do not use a green screen, we suggest finding a solid-colored wall to sit in front of that is well-lit. This will allow Zoom to better distinguish between you and your surroundings. Additionally, it’s best if what you’re wearing does not match the color of the wall too closely.
Why Does the Image I Uploaded Don’t Cover My Whole Background?
Black bars will appear next to your background image when the image you use does not match the aspect ratio of your camera.
It’s better to crop your image before uploading them to fit well on Zoom.
For example, if your camera is set to 16:9, an image of 1280 by 720 pixels or 1920 by 1080 pixels would work just fine because those dimensions have a 16:9 ratio. If unsure about your camera’s aspect ratio, go with a background image with a minimum resolution of 1280×720 pixels.
Conclusion
We have looked at what background blur is and how to blur your background in Zoom. There are a few things to keep in mind when blurring your background. Additionally, if you are having trouble blurring the background in Zoom, some troubleshooting tips can help. By following these simple steps, you can create a professional conference online with ease!
