6 Easy Steps to Change Your Background in Microsoft Teams

Customize your virtual meeting background on Teams

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Last Updated: September 3, 2025 Fact Checked

Microsoft Teams is a great tool for online video meetings, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Sometimes, you need your camera on - but someone is standing close by, your room is a mess, or you just don't want others to see your house. In such situations, you can use a virtual background to help hide your surroundings. Read this wikiHow to learn how to do this.

Quick Steps

Join a Microsoft Teams meeting.
Click ... in the top toolbar.
Click Apply background effects.
Select a background.
Select Apply and turn on video.

Steps

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with your camera off. There's an option to switch your camera on as you join the meeting, but if there is a glitch, the virtual background might take some time to show up, which can reveal your surroundings. It's better to join the meeting first before turning your video on.^{[1]
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On the panel that's on top of your Microsoft Teams tab, you'll find three dots next to the "Raise your hand/Reactions" option. Click the dots. It will open a dropdown menu.^{[2]
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This will open a sub-page at the side of your meeting tab.
Teams will have a few default backgrounds. Take a look at your options and choose the one that you'd like.

Tip: If you don't like any of the backgrounds or want a specific photo, you'll find an option at the top of the backgrounds that says "+ Add new". Click on it and insert a picture or background that you've saved on your device earlier.
Preview your video to make sure the background is the right one. Others in the meeting won't be able to see what you've previewed.^{[3]
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Make sure that you've clicked "Apply and turn on video" as your background will not be seen if you just click on the camera icon.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How to take a "My Little Pony" background effect?

Brooke

Community Answer

In "background settings", you'll find an option that says "+ Add New". Click on that, insert an image from your device, and then use the effect!

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Question

In three dots I have no option to apply background effects, what can I do?

Brooke

Community Answer

Your device, or the Teams app is probably not updated. Make sure that it's done.

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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Question

How do I get to the screen at the start of this article? Do not presume I am joining a meeting. Presume that I plan ahead and want to have background and lighting worked out in advance.

Brooke

Community Answer

Before you join a meeting, the preview image shown in the first step is identical to the one you'd see before you join. To have the background ready in advance, click "background filters" and choose what you'd like.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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