Change your background before or during a Zoom meeting in three steps

Open Zoom and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Click Virtual Background in the left menu. Choose a built-in background, upload your own image, or blur your actual background. If you are already in a meeting, click the up arrow next to the Stop Video button, select Choose Virtual Background, and pick what you want. The change takes effect immediately.

Your device needs to meet basic requirements: a modern processor (Intel i5 or better, or Apple Silicon), at least 4 GB of RAM, and a reasonably current operating system. Older computers may struggle to process the background change smoothly, especially if you are also running other programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Virtual backgrounds work in Settings before a meeting or via the video controls during a meeting.
  • Zoom provides built-in backgrounds, but you can also upload a photo from your computer.
  • Blurring your background is faster than a virtual background and works on older devices.
  • The feature requires a reasonably modern computer; very old machines may not support it smoothly.

Access virtual background settings before you join a meeting

Start Zoom on your computer. In the top right corner, click the Settings gear icon. On the left side of the window, find and click Virtual Background. You will see a list of built-in backgrounds that Zoom provides — solid colors, office scenes, nature images, and others. Click any one to select it as your default.

If you want to use your own image instead, click the + button at the bottom of the background list. Navigate to a photo on your computer and open it. Zoom will add it to your list. The next time you start a meeting, this background will be available to choose from.

Change your background during an active meeting

Once you are in a Zoom meeting with your video on, look at the bottom of the screen for the video controls. Find the up arrow next to the Stop Video button (or the video icon if you are on mobile). Click that arrow to open a small menu.

Select Choose Virtual Background from the menu. A panel will appear showing your available backgrounds. Click the one you want, and it will apply instantly. You can switch backgrounds as many times as you need during the meeting without leaving the call.

Blur your background instead of replacing it

Blurring keeps your actual surroundings visible but softens them so people cannot see details. This uses less computer power than a virtual background and works on older devices. In Settings, click Virtual Background, then look for the Blur option at the top of the background list. Click it to turn blur on.

During a meeting, you can also reach blur through the same video controls menu: click the arrow next to Stop Video, then select Blur My Background. Blur is useful if you do not have a good photo to use or if your computer is running slowly.

Upload a custom image as your background

Zoom works best with images that are at least 1920 × 1080 pixels (the standard size for computer screens). Smaller images may look pixelated or stretched. The image should show a clear scene — a beach, office, or solid color — rather than a photo of people, which can confuse Zoom's background detection.

To add a custom image, go to Settings, click Virtual Background, and click the + button. Choose the image file from your computer. Zoom will add it to your list immediately. You can add as many images as you want and switch between them at any time.

Troubleshoot if your background is not working

If the virtual background option is grayed out or missing, your device may not meet the minimum requirements. Check that you are running a recent version of Zoom — go to Settings and look for an Update option. If an update is available, install it and restart Zoom.

If the background looks blurry, pixelated, or keeps flickering, your computer may be struggling with the processing load. Close other programs running in the background, or switch to blur instead of a virtual background. Make sure you have good lighting in front of you — Zoom's background detection works better when it can see you clearly.

If you uploaded a custom image and it looks stretched or cut off, try a different image with a wider aspect ratio (wider than it is tall). Zoom crops images to fit the video frame, so very tall or very narrow photos may not display as you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a video or animated GIF as my background?

Zoom does not support video or animated backgrounds on most devices. You can only use still images. Some third-party tools claim to add this feature, but they are not part of Zoom itself and may not work reliably.

Will people see my background change if I switch during a meeting?

Yes, everyone in the meeting will see the change happen. It takes a second or two to process, but the new background will appear to all participants.

Does virtual background work on my phone or tablet?

Virtual backgrounds work on phones and tablets running recent versions of Zoom, though the feature may be called Background instead of Virtual Background. Tap the three dots during a meeting, then look for background or blur options. Older phones may not support this feature.

What if I want to turn off my background and show my real room again?

In Settings, go to Virtual Background and uncheck the box next to any selected background. During a meeting, click the arrow next to Stop Video and select None to remove the background immediately.