How to blur background in Zoom?

Let us say that you have a Zoom meeting in a few minutes. But the work-from-home situation is different, or worse, a mess. If you have no time to clean or find it challenging to locate a private spot in the house, panic hits you hard. A better way to escape the situation is by identifying the available options. One such option is learning how to blur the background in Zoom.

As is the name, Zoom’s blur background feature helps you blur everything in the background for a video call. Now, it would be great to blur all the mess left behind in the home and continue to have an indulging meeting, leaving behind all the worries. So, if you wonder how to blur the background in Zoom, this article is for you!

Today, you will learn how to blur background in Zoom before a meeting or during a video call. Alternatively, you will find answers for implementing the steps on your Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. Finally, you will further learn about a few answers to typical questions raised by Zoom users.

How to blur background in Zoom – Step-by-step Guide

Learning how to blur background in Zoom helps anyone using the application to change the background as needed. The blur effect helps create a blurry vision of the background, which could otherwise be a messy home or a packed audience. Before proceeding with the steps or the guide listed here for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, it is essential to fulfilling software prerequisites.

For instance, Mac users must upgrade or use version 10.13 or higher, and the computer should have a 6th Generation i5 processor or 4th Generation i7 processor and higher.

1.    For Windows:

1. Start the Zoom application on your Windows PC.

1. Next, click the profile picture at the top right corner and select “Settings.”
2. From the left pane, select “Background & Filters.”
3. From the visible options on the screen, select the “Blur” feature. It will blur the background of your settings, which should be visible to you.

2.    For Mac:

How to blur background in Zoom on a Mac? The following steps will provide you the accurate answer:

1. First, launch the Zoom client and log into your account.
2. Next, click the profile picture and select “Settings.”
3. Then, from the left pane, choose “Background & Filters.”
4. From the prospects on the screen, click “Blur.” Selecting the option will blur the background, which is visible to you on the screen.

3.    For iOS Devices:

1. Open the Zoom app on an iOS device.
2. Join a meeting or create a new session after ensuing permission to the video.
3. Now, select the “More” option at the bottom.

4. Scroll down and choose “Background & Filters.” Then, from the options appearing on the screen, select “Blur.” It will blur the existing background, and the same setting continues (blur) for all your future Zoom meetings.

4.    For Android Devices:

1. Launch the Zoom app on the Android device.
2. Sign in to the account and create a meeting or join an existing appointment.
3. Located at the bottom is the “More” option. Click it.
4. From the list, select the “Virtual Background” option and from the options available, choose the “Blur” feature. It will blur the existing background captured by the phone’s camera. The feature remains active for all future Zoom meetings or until you cancel the option by following the same steps.

How to blur background in Zoom During an Active Zoom Meeting?

You have learned how to blur the background in Zoom before starting a meeting or creating a new discussion. But what if you want to blur the background during an ongoing or active Zoom meeting?

Do not worry, as you can blur the background in Zoom meetings while attending a conference. However, you must ensure that the Zoom application is up to date because the latest version of the software enables users to use the built-in blur feature and the ability to change the background as per the need.

The steps below will guide you through implementing the blur effect while you are in a Zoom meeting:

1. As you are already in a Zoom meeting, click the upside arrow symbol next to the “Stop Video” option.

2. From the options, select the “Choose Virtual Background” option.

3. Select the “Background & Filters” option from the window that appears. Now, select the “Blur” feature from the options to change the background.

How to blur background in Zoom – The Alternative Method

If you are not favoring the option of updating your Zoom Client to the latest version for some reason, you can implement the alternative method to blur the background in Zoom. The steps for the same are as follows:

Capture an Image: You can use an existing picture on your computer or capture the background using a webcam or any other means.

Blur the Background Online: There are plenty of free photo editing tools available online. Choose a recommended online tool, upload the captured image of the background, and add the blur feature. Adjust the effect as per your need. Finally, save the edited version of the picture to the computer from the online website.

Load the Blurred Image: Launch the Zoom application on your computer and select “Settings” by clicking the profile picture. Now, click the “Background & Filters” option and click the “+” button. The application will open a window from which you can browse the image that you have downloaded previously. The blurred picture will appear in the images. You can now select it and make it your background for a Zoom meeting.

FAQs

Why cannot I see the blur option in Zoom?

If you do not see that blur option after following the steps detailed above, ensure that the device you are using is the latest version. Alternatively, check whether you are meeting all the system requirements for the smooth functioning of all the options available in the Zoom client.

How to update Zoom to get the blurred background?

Zoom will notify you about an update if available. Alternatively, you can check for the update after signing into your Zoom account. First, click the profile picture to open the settings and then check for updates.

Why do I see only a few parts blurred?

If you notice only certain parts of your background blurred, the problem lies with your web camera. Clean the camera lens using isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloth to remove debris and smudges.

Conclusion

By keeping the background blurred, you may hide everything you do not want others or your team members to notice while on a Zoom meeting. Now that you have different answers to how to blur the background in Zoom, implementing the appropriate solution depends on your device.

With the built-in blur option on Zoom, blurring the background is no longer a tedious procedure. However, if your computer, Mac, or smartphone does not meet the requirements or if there is no update to your specific model, you can implement the alternative method discussed here.