How to blur your background in Microsoft Teams

The short answer

Click the “Background filters” button before or during a Teams call, then select the blur option to hide your surroundings.

Blur your background before joining a call

When you click a meeting link, Teams shows a preview screen before you join:

  1. On the preview screen, look for the “Background filters” button (it looks like a person icon with a small sparkle or landscape behind them)
  2. A panel will open on the right side
  3. Click the “Blur” option — it’s the first choice after “None”
  4. You’ll see your background go fuzzy in the preview
  5. Click “Join now”

Your blur setting will stay on for the entire call unless you change it.

Blur your background during a call

Already in a meeting? No problem:

  1. Click the three dots (…) in the top toolbar (labeled “More actions”)
  2. Select “Video effects” or “Background effects”
  3. Choose the Blur option
  4. Click “Apply” (on some versions it applies instantly)

Your background will blur right away — other participants will see the change within a second or two.

Keyboard shortcut

On Windows or Mac, press Ctrl+Shift+P during a call to toggle background blur on and off instantly. No menus needed.

What if you don’t see the blur option?

A few things might be going on:

  • Your device may not support it — background blur requires a processor that supports AVX2 instructions. Most computers from 2015 onward have this
  • Your Teams app may be outdated — update to the latest version through Settings > About > Check for updates
  • Your admin may have disabled it — some organizations restrict video effects through Teams admin policies
  • You’re using the browser version — background blur works best in the desktop app. The web version has limited support for it

Tips for a cleaner look on camera

  • Blur works best with good lighting — face a window or lamp so Teams can clearly separate you from the background
  • Sit still when possible — fast movements can cause the blur to flicker around your edges
  • Try a virtual background instead if blur alone isn’t enough — Teams offers built-in images or you can upload your own

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