How to Add a Custom Background to Microsoft Teams (Step-by-Step)

To add a custom background to Microsoft Teams, you only need a few simple steps. This guide shows you how to upload your own image, change backgrounds before or during meetings, and choose the best setup for professional or fun calls.

You’ll also learn how to create a custom background in Teams, apply blur effects, and find the best background images for meetings.

How to Create and Add a Custom Background in Teams

1. Prepare Your Background Image

Before uploading, make sure your image follows these guidelines:

• Size: 1920 x 1080 pixels
• Format: JPG, PNG, or BMP
• Avoid overly bright or cluttered visuals

Tip: The best background images for meetings often feature neutral offices, soft textures, or city skylines. If you’re in the mood for fun, try seasonal themes like Halloween backgrounds for Microsoft Teams or Thanksgiving Teams backgrounds.

Planning holiday themed calls this year? Browse our collection of Microsoft Teams Christmas backgrounds to instantly add festive, high quality images to your meetings.

2. Add a Custom Background to Microsoft Teams

💻 From a Meeting

1. Join or start a Teams meeting
2. Click More actions (···) in the meeting toolbar
3. Select Apply background effects
4. Click + Add new
5. Upload your background image and select it
6. Click Apply

🧾 Before a Meeting Starts

You can also set your background before joining:

1. On the Join meeting screen, turn on your camera
2. Click the Background filters icon
3. Click + Add new and choose your image
4. Click Join now to enter the meeting

3. Change or Remove Backgrounds Anytime

To switch backgrounds during a call, repeat the steps under Apply background effects, then:

• Choose a different uploaded image
• Select None to remove the background
• Use Blur to keep it simple (here’s a full guide on how to blur your background in Microsoft Teams)

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4. Where to Find the Best Backgrounds for Teams

Here are some places to get great background images:

• Unsplash and Pexels for professional-quality photos
• Canva for creating branded or custom images
• Microsoft’s Teams Backgrounds Gallery

For businesses, Microsoft is introducing new branding features. One of them is the frosted glass style, which blends logos and sleek design. Learn more about branding Teams meetings with the frosted glass background effect.

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What Is a Microsoft Teams Virtual Background?

Microsoft Teams virtual backgrounds let you replace your real environment with an image or effect during video calls. They help protect your privacy, reduce distractions, and create a clean, professional look.

You can choose from default options or create custom backgrounds for Teams by uploading your own image. If you’re interested in enhanced realism, check out the Teams dynamic background feature that adds subtle motion effects to your video background.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these funny Teams backgrounds that can make your calls more engaging. Adding a playful or creative background is a great way to break the ice and keep meetings lighthearted while still using the custom background feature in Teams.

FAQs

Wrap-Up

Using a custom background in Microsoft Teams improves your video call experience by keeping things private, clean, and professional. Whether you want something branded, seasonal, or fun, now you know how to make it happen.

Start by uploading a high-quality image, previewing it, and selecting it before or during the meeting. If you want more variety, check out themed or dynamic backgrounds that can help you stand out.