Zoom is a popular video conferencing tool used by millions of people around the world. It's a great way to stay connected with colleagues, friends, and family, but sometimes you don't want to show your background. Whether you're working from home and don't want your messy room to be visible, or you're just looking for a more professional look, blurring your background in Zoom is a great option.
There are two different ways to blur your background in Zoom. You can either use the built-in blur feature, or you can use a third-party app like OBS. In this article, we'll show you how to use both methods.
Now that you know how to blur your background in Zoom, you can use this feature to make your video conferences more professional and private.
How to Blur Background in Zoom
Follow these simple steps to blur your background in Zoom:
- Open Zoom
- Click the gear icon
- Select "Background & Filters"
- Choose a blur effect
- Adjust the blur level
- Click "Close"
- Your background will now be blurred
- You can also use a third-party app like OBS to blur your background
Now that you know how to blur your background in Zoom, you can use this feature to make your video conferences more professional and private.
Open Zoom
The first step to blurring your background in Zoom is to open the Zoom application. You can do this by clicking on the Zoom icon on your desktop, or by searching for "Zoom" in your computer's search bar.
- Click on the Zoom icon:
If you have the Zoom icon on your desktop, simply click on it to open the application.
- Search for "Zoom":
If you don't have the Zoom icon on your desktop, you can search for "Zoom" in your computer's search bar. Once you find the Zoom application, click on it to open it.
- Wait for Zoom to load:
Once you have clicked on the Zoom icon or searched for "Zoom" and clicked on the application, Zoom will start to load. This may take a few seconds.
- Zoom will now be open:
Once Zoom has finished loading, it will be open and you will be able to see the main Zoom window.
Now that you have opened Zoom, you can proceed to the next step, which is to click on the gear icon.
Click the gear icon
Once you have opened Zoom, the next step is to click on the gear icon. This icon is located in the top-right corner of the Zoom window, next to your profile picture.
When you click on the gear icon, a drop-down menu will appear. This menu contains a variety of settings, including the ability to change your background, audio, and video settings.
To blur your background, you need to click on the "Background & Filters" option in the drop-down menu. This will open a new window where you can choose a blur effect for your background.
There are a variety of blur effects to choose from, so you can select the one that best suits your needs. You can also adjust the blur level to make the effect more or less pronounced.
Once you have selected a blur effect and adjusted the blur level, click on the "Close" button to save your changes. Your background will now be blurred in all of your Zoom meetings and calls.
Select "Background & Filters"
Once you have clicked on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Zoom window, a drop-down menu will appear. This menu contains a variety of settings, including the ability to change your background, audio, and video settings.
To blur your background, you need to click on the "Background & Filters" option in the drop-down menu. This will open a new window where you can choose a blur effect for your background.
The "Background & Filters" window is divided into two sections: "Virtual Background" and "Filters". The "Virtual Background" section allows you to choose a virtual background to use in your Zoom meetings and calls. The "Filters" section allows you to apply filters to your video, such as blurring your background.
To blur your background, click on the "Filters" tab in the "Background & Filters" window. You will then see a variety of blur effects to choose from, such as "Blur," "Strong Blur," and "Extreme Blur." You can also use the slider to adjust the blur level.
Once you have selected a blur effect and adjusted the blur level, click on the "Close" button to save your changes. Your background will now be blurred in all of your Zoom meetings and calls.
Choose a blur effect
Once you have clicked on the "Filters" tab in the "Background & Filters" window, you will see a variety of blur effects to choose from. These effects range from subtle to extreme, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
To choose a blur effect, simply click on the effect that you want to use. The effect will then be applied to your video preview. You can also use the slider to adjust the blur level.
Here are some of the most popular blur effects:
- Blur: This is a subtle blur effect that is perfect for blurring out distracting backgrounds without making your video look too artificial.
- Strong Blur: This is a more pronounced blur effect that is ideal for blurring out busy backgrounds or hiding sensitive information.
- Extreme Blur: This is the most extreme blur effect available. It is perfect for completely blurring out your background so that it is unrecognizable.
You can also use the slider to adjust the blur level. This allows you to fine-tune the blur effect to get the perfect look for your video.
Once you have selected a blur effect and adjusted the blur level, click on the "Close" button to save your changes. Your background will now be blurred in all of your Zoom meetings and calls.
Adjust the blur level
Once you have selected a blur effect, you can use the slider to adjust the blur level. This allows you to fine-tune the blur effect to get the perfect look for your video.
To adjust the blur level, simply drag the slider to the left or right. The further you drag the slider to the right, the more pronounced the blur effect will be. The further you drag the slider to the left, the less pronounced the blur effect will be.
You can also use the slider to adjust the blur level in real time. This allows you to see how the blur effect will look in your video before you save your changes.
Here are some tips for adjusting the blur level:
- Start with a low blur level: It is always better to start with a low blur level and then increase it gradually until you get the desired effect. This will help you to avoid over-blurring your background.
- Pay attention to the edges of your video: When you are adjusting the blur level, pay attention to the edges of your video. Make sure that the blur effect is not causing any unwanted artifacts or distortions.
- Test the blur effect in different lighting conditions: The blur effect may look different in different lighting conditions. Be sure to test the blur effect in a variety of lighting conditions to make sure that it looks good in all situations.
Once you have adjusted the blur level to your liking, click on the "Close" button to save your changes. Your background will now be blurred in all of your Zoom meetings and calls.
Click "Close"
Once you have selected a blur effect and adjusted the blur level, you need to click on the "Close" button to save your changes.
- Locate the "Close" button:
The "Close" button is located in the bottom-right corner of the "Background & Filters" window.
- Click on the "Close" button:
Once you have found the "Close" button, click on it to save your changes and close the "Background & Filters" window.
- Your blur effect will now be applied:
Once you have clicked on the "Close" button, your chosen blur effect will be applied to your background in all of your Zoom meetings and calls.
- You can change your blur effect at any time:
If you ever want to change your blur effect, simply click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Zoom window and select "Background & Filters." You can then choose a new blur effect and adjust the blur level.
That's it! You have now successfully blurred your background in Zoom. Now you can enjoy your Zoom meetings and calls with a more professional and private background.
Your background will now be blurred
Once you have clicked on the "Close" button in the "Background & Filters" window, your chosen blur effect will be applied to your background in all of your Zoom meetings and calls.
- Check your video preview:
To make sure that the blur effect has been applied correctly, you can check your video preview in the Zoom window.
- Join a Zoom meeting or call:
Once you are satisfied with the blur effect, you can join a Zoom meeting or call. Your background will now be blurred for all participants in the meeting or call.
- Your blur effect will be applied to all Zoom meetings and calls:
The blur effect that you have chosen will be applied to your background in all of your Zoom meetings and calls, regardless of the device that you are using.
- You can change your blur effect at any time:
If you ever want to change your blur effect, simply click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Zoom window and select "Background & Filters." You can then choose a new blur effect and adjust the blur level.
Now you can enjoy your Zoom meetings and calls with a more professional and private background. Your background will be blurred for all participants in the meeting or call, so you can focus on your work or conversation without worrying about what is going on behind you.
You can also use a third-party app like OBS to blur your background
In addition to using the built-in blur feature in Zoom, you can also use a third-party app like OBS to blur your background. OBS is a free and open-source software that allows you to record and stream video and audio. It is a popular choice for gamers and streamers, but it can also be used for video conferencing.
- Download and install OBS:
To use OBS to blur your background, you first need to download and install it on your computer. You can download OBS from the OBS website.
- Set up OBS:
Once you have installed OBS, you need to set it up. This includes adding your camera and microphone as sources and configuring your video and audio settings.
- Add a blur filter:
To blur your background in OBS, you can add a blur filter to your camera source. To do this, right-click on your camera source in the OBS window and select "Filters." Then, click on the "+" button and select "Blur/Sharpen." You can then adjust the blur settings to your liking.
- Start your Zoom meeting or call:
Once you have set up OBS and added a blur filter, you can start your Zoom meeting or call. OBS will automatically blur your background.
Using OBS to blur your background gives you more control over the blur effect. You can choose from a variety of blur filters and adjust the blur settings to get the perfect look for your video. However, OBS is a more complex program than Zoom, so it may take some time to learn how to use it properly.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to blur your background in Zoom:
Question 1: How do I blur my background in Zoom?
Answer 1: To blur your background in Zoom, you can either use the built-in blur feature or a third-party app like OBS.
Question 2: How do I use the built-in blur feature in Zoom?
Answer 2: To use the built-in blur feature in Zoom, click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Zoom window and select "Background & Filters." Then, select a blur effect and adjust the blur level.
Question 3: How do I use OBS to blur my background?
Answer 3: To use OBS to blur your background, download and install OBS, set it up, add a blur filter to your camera source, and then start your Zoom meeting or call.
Question 4: Can I use a physical green screen to blur my background?
Answer 4: Yes, you can use a physical green screen to blur your background in Zoom. However, you will need to have good lighting and position the green screen correctly in order for it to work properly.
Question 5: What are some tips for getting the best results when blurring my background in Zoom?
Answer 5: Some tips for getting the best results when blurring your background in Zoom include using a solid-color background, avoiding backlighting, and using a high-quality webcam.
Question 6: Can I blur my background in Zoom on my phone?
Answer 6: Yes, you can blur your background in Zoom on your phone. However, the process is slightly different depending on whether you are using an iPhone or an Android phone.
Question 7: Can I use a virtual background instead of blurring my background?
Answer 7: Yes, you can use a virtual background instead of blurring your background in Zoom. To do this, select "Virtual Background" instead of "Background & Filters" in the Zoom settings menu.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ: These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about how to blur your background in Zoom. If you have any other questions, please consult the Zoom Help Center or search for tutorials online.
Now that you know how to blur your background in Zoom, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of this feature:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the blur background feature in Zoom:
Tip 1: Use a solid-color background:
A solid-color background will help to create a more professional and polished look. Avoid using backgrounds with patterns or textures, as these can be distracting.
Tip 2: Avoid backlighting:
Backlighting can cause your background to appear washed out and overexposed. Try to position yourself so that the light source is in front of you, not behind you.
Tip 3: Use a high-quality webcam:
A high-quality webcam will produce a clearer and more detailed image, which will make the blur effect look more natural. If you are using a built-in webcam, make sure that it is clean and properly positioned.
Tip 4: Experiment with different blur effects:
Zoom offers a variety of blur effects to choose from. Experiment with different effects to find one that you like. You can also adjust the blur level to get the perfect look for your video.
Tip 5: Use a virtual background:
If you don't have a suitable physical background, you can use a virtual background instead. Zoom offers a variety of virtual backgrounds to choose from, or you can upload your own image.
Closing Paragraph for Tips: By following these tips, you can get the most out of the blur background feature in Zoom and create a more professional and polished look for your video meetings and calls.
Now that you know how to blur your background in Zoom and have some tips on how to get the best results, you can start using this feature to improve the quality of your video meetings and calls.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to blur your background in Zoom using both the built-in blur feature and a third-party app like OBS. We have also provided you with some tips on how to get the best results when using the blur background feature.
By following the steps in this article, you can easily blur your background in Zoom and create a more professional and private environment for your video meetings and calls. No matter what your background is, you can now blur it out and focus on what's important: your work or conversation.
So what are you waiting for? Start blurring your background in Zoom today and take your video meetings and calls to the next level.