How i can Blur Background in Zoom?

In a world where virtual meetings have become the norm, Zoom remains the go-to platform for everything from business calls to virtual happy hours. But let’s face it: There are times when the background isn’t as polished as you’d like. Maybe you’re working from home with kids in the background, or maybe your kitchen table has become your new office. Either way, knowing how to blur your background on Zoom can save you from unwanted distractions and help you keep things professional.

There’s no need to worry if you’ve never tried it before. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, step by step!

Why You Should Blur Your Zoom Background

Let’s start with the why. You might be wondering, “Why should I bother blurring my background?” Great question!

Privacy Protection

When you’re on a Zoom call, what’s behind you is there for everyone to see. If you’re working from home, that could include personal spaces like your bedroom or kitchen, or even sensitive information on a whiteboard or in documents lying around. Blurring the background keeps prying eyes away from details you’d rather keep private.

Focus on you, not your surroundings

If you’re giving a presentation at a meeting, teaching a class, or presenting a webinar, the last thing you want is for people to be distracted by what’s going on in the background. Whether it’s a messy room, pets running around, or people walking by, an out-of-focus background ensures that all eyes are on you and your message.

Look more professional

When the background is clean and neutral, it gives a more professional impression. An out-of-focus background makes it look like you’re in a dedicated meeting space, even if you’re sitting at the dining room table. It’s like adding a polished layer to your digital presence.

Zoom System Requirements for Blurring Backgrounds

Before you start blurring your background, there are a couple of things you need to check.

OS Support

Zoom’s blurring background feature works on both Windows and macOS, but you’ll need to be running a relatively recent version of either system. For Windows, that means version 5.5.0 or later, and for macOS, 5.3.0 or later.

Hardware Requirements

Blurring your background requires a bit more processing power than a regular video call. Zoom recommends that your device has at least a 5th-generation Intel i3 processor or higher. For mobile devices, you’ll need a smartphone running iOS 13 or Android 8.0 or later.

How to Blur Your Background in Zoom (Before a Meeting)

Ready to get started? Let’s go through the steps to blur your background before you start a call.

For desktop users:

Open Zoom and log in to your account.

Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and go to “Settings.”

From the left menu, select “Backgrounds & Filters.”

You’ll see an option to “Blur” – click on it and that’s it! Your background will now appear blurred.

If you want to check how it looks, click on “Preview” to see yourself with the blurred background.

For mobile users (iOS/Android):

Open the Zoom app and log in.

Tap the “More” button at the bottom right of the screen.

Select “Background & Filters.”

Choose the “Blur” option and you’re done.

How to blur your background during a Zoom meeting

Oops! Joined a meeting and forgot to blur your background? No problem, you can do it while you’re live.

For desktop users:

While in the meeting, look for the video button at the bottom left of your screen.

Click the up arrow (^) next to the video icon and select “Choose virtual background.”

From there, choose the “Blur” option and your background will instantly become blurred.

For mobile users:

During the meeting, tap “More” at the bottom right of your screen.

Select “Background & Filters.”

Then, tap “Blur” to instantly blur your background.

Advanced background customization: Take it a step further

Once you’ve mastered blurring, you can explore other virtual backgrounds and features that Zoom offers to further customize your experience.

Virtual backgrounds

Instead of just blurring your background, you can completely change it to a virtual one. Zoom lets you upload images or videos to use as your background. Want to make it look like you’re calling from a beach or maybe the International Space Station? The possibilities are endless.

Zoom Studio Effects

For an extra touch of style, Zoom also offers a feature called Studio Effects, which allows you to change the appearance of your eyebrows, facial hair, and lip color.

Troubleshooting Background Blur

Sometimes technology doesn’t cooperate. If Zoom’s blur option isn’t showing up, here are some troubleshooting steps to help.

Update Zoom

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Zoom. Older versions may not support background blur, so an update might be the fix you need.

Check your hardware

If your computer or phone doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for background blur, you may need to update your device or close some background apps to free up processing power.

Restart the app

Sometimes a simple restart of Zoom can resolve the issue. Close the app, reopen it, and try selecting the blur feature again.

When to Use (and Not Use) Zoom Background Blur

While the blur feature is great in many situations, there are some times when it may not be your best option.

Use background blur when:

• You’re working in a shared or cluttered space.
• You want to maintain privacy and avoid distractions.
• You’re in a casual meeting and a full virtual background feels too formal.
• Avoid background blur when:
• You need to show a product, article, or anything in the background.
• Your computer is running slowly and you don’t want to overload it.
• You’re presenting something that requires a clean, clear background.

Conclusion

Blurring your background in Zoom is a simple yet powerful feature that can transform your virtual meetings. Whether you want to protect your privacy, eliminate distractions, or just maintain a sleek, professional look, Zoom’s blur option is what you need. Plus, with its easy-to-use interface, it only takes a few clicks to set it up before or during a call.

So, next time you join a Zoom call, don’t worry about what’s going on behind you – blur it and focus on what really matters!

FAQs