How To Change Your Microsoft Teams Background Before or During a Meeting
- May 8
- 6 min read
You can change your Microsoft Teams virtual background before joining a meeting by opening the meeting preview screen, turning on your camera, and selecting Background settings. From there, you can choose one of Microsoft Teams' preset backgrounds, blur your surroundings, or upload a custom background image.
In this guide, you'll learn:
how to change your Microsoft Teams background before a meeting
how to upload custom Teams background images
how to change your background during a meeting
how to fix common Microsoft Teams background issues
Taking 30 seconds to set your background before a call signals professionalism and eliminates the distraction of adjusting settings mid-meeting. Whether you're joining a client presentation, a job interview, or a daily standup, having a clean, consistent Microsoft Teams virtual background ready to go makes a measurable difference in how you're perceived.
Why Change Your Microsoft Teams Background Before a Meeting?
Changing your Microsoft Teams background before a meeting begins helps ensure you appear professional and prepared when you join the call.
Many remote workers use Teams virtual backgrounds to eliminate distractions, protect their privacy, and create a consistent meeting environment.
Preparing your background ahead of time also prevents awkward delays at the start of a meeting while you adjust your camera settings.
Recommended Microsoft Teams Background Image Size
If you plan to upload a custom background image, using the correct dimensions helps ensure your background appears sharp and natural during video calls.
• Resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• File types: JPG, PNG, or BMP
Using high-resolution images prevents pixelation and helps your virtual background appear more professional during meetings.
How To Change Your Teams Background Before Joining a Meeting
You can change your Microsoft Teams backgrounds before you join a call.
Open Microsoft Teams and click the Calendar icon to find your scheduled meeting.
Click Join to open the meeting preview screen.
Turn on your camera using the camera toggle.
Select Background settings on the right side of the preview screen.
Choose a preset background, select Blur, or click Add New to upload a custom image.
Click Join Now to enter the meeting with your background applied.
How To Change Your Teams Background After a Call
When you finish with a call, you can change your professional Microsoft Teams background the same way you did before your call began. However, you can also do that if you are on a call and want to change your background.
Click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of your screen.
Review your options until you find “Show background effects.”
Go through each background option and hit “Preview” to test them.
Upload your preferred option or blur your background in this “Show background effects” area.
Select the background you want, click “Apply.”
How To Change Your Teams Background on Mobile
You can also change your Microsoft Team background if you have a meeting on your mobile device, such as your phone or tablet. Although the concept is the same, the steps are slightly different.
How To Change Your Mobile Teams Background Before a Meeting
After you set up your meeting, you can get into the background options on your mobile device.
At the top of your screen, click “Background Effects.”
Choose a given image, upload one of your own, or simply blur the background.
To blur your current background, simply click “Blur.”
To upload an image, click the plus sign.
Click “Done.”
How To Change Your Teams Background During a Live Call
Select your call controls or meeting.
Click on “More Options.”
Go to “Background Effects.”
Upload your photo, choose an existing image, or blur your background.
Click “Done.”
Troubleshooting Issues You Run Into
If you cannot change your background before or after your meeting starts, you may need to update your Microsoft Teams App or restart it or your computer.
Choose a high-quality JPG, PNG, or BMP file to select a custom background. Then, when you enter “Background settings,” click “+ Add New.” Search your computer for your image and click “Upload.” You can also find background images on the internet.
If you want to share your background with everyone on the call and you are the meeting host, go to “New Meeting Experience.” Build your audience list and select “Together Mode” after clicking the three dots at the top right-hand corner of your screen.
Now that you understand how to change your backgrounds, you can create different options for your call purposes, e.g., personal or professional. Test the process to modify your backgrounds before and during your meetings.
Best Professional Backgrounds for Microsoft Teams Meetings
Choosing the right background can instantly improve your appearance during virtual meetings.
Popular Microsoft Teams virtual background styles include:
• minimalist professional workspaces
These styles help remote professionals maintain a polished and professional appearance during client meetings, presentations, and team calls.
Custom Virtual Office offers a wide range of professional Microsoft Teams virtual backgrounds designed specifically for Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Microsoft Teams Backgrounds
Can you change your Microsoft Teams background before joining a meeting?
Yes. When you reach the meeting preview screen, turn on your camera and select Background settings to choose or upload a background before entering the meeting. This works on both desktop and mobile versions of Teams, and your selected background will remain active for future meetings until you change it.
How do I upload a custom background in Microsoft Teams?
Open Background settings, click Add New, and upload an image from your computer. For best results, use a JPG or PNG file at 1920 × 1080 pixels — this ensures your background appears sharp and properly scaled during your call. Once uploaded, your custom image will be saved and available for all future meetings.
What size should a Microsoft Teams background be?
The recommended size is 1920 × 1080 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Teams also supports JPG, PNG, and BMP file formats with a maximum file size of 5MB. Using the correct dimensions prevents cropping, pixelation, and poor blending with the background removal effect.
Why can't I change my background in Microsoft Teams?
Your app may need to be updated, or your device may not meet Microsoft Teams system requirements for background effects. On older hardware, background effects may be disabled by default. Try updating Teams, restarting the app, or checking that your graphics drivers are current. If you're on a managed corporate device, your IT admin may have restricted background settings.
Can I change my Teams background on a Mac?
Yes. The process on Mac is identical to Windows — open the meeting preview screen, turn on your camera, and select Background settings to choose, blur, or upload a background. If the option isn't appearing, make sure your Teams app is fully updated, as background effects require a recent version of the desktop client.
Why does my Microsoft Teams background look blurry or pixelated?
This is usually caused by uploading an image that is too small or in the wrong format. Use a high-resolution image at 1920 × 1080 pixels in JPG or PNG format for the sharpest results. Low-resolution images, heavily compressed JPGs, or images with unusual aspect ratios will appear distorted once Teams applies the background removal effect.
Can I use a branded background with my company logo in Microsoft Teams?
Yes — and it's one of the most effective ways to reinforce brand consistency across remote meetings. Custom Virtual Office offers professional Teams backgrounds with a custom logo overlay, so your brand appears in the corner of every call. Simply upload your logo during checkout and download your personalized background ready to use.
Upgrade Your Microsoft Teams Meetings With Professional Backgrounds
Knowing how to change your Microsoft Teams background before or during a call is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your remote work setup. But the background you choose matters just as much as knowing how to set it. A clean, professionally designed virtual background signals preparedness, reinforces your brand, and keeps your audience focused on you — not your surroundings. Custom Virtual Office offers a full library of professional Microsoft Teams backgrounds in HD and 4K, with optional custom logo overlays for teams and businesses. Browse the collection and find the backdrop that works as hard as you do.
Want to go deeper? These guides have you covered:
15 Professional Virtual Backgrounds for Microsoft Teams — a curated list of the best backgrounds available to download today.
Best Format & Image Size for Virtual Backgrounds: Zoom, Teams & Google Meet — everything you need to know before uploading a custom background.
