How to Set Up a Virtual Background in Zoom

Overview

Zoom's virtual background feature allows you to display an image or video as your background during meetings, replacing your actual surroundings. This feature is useful for maintaining privacy, minimizing distractions, or adding a professional appearance to your video calls. Virtual backgrounds can be applied before joining a meeting or during an active meeting. This article provides instructions for setting up virtual backgrounds in Zoom.

Instructions

Setting Up Virtual Background Before a Meeting

1. Open the Zoom desktop application and sign in to your account
2. Click the Settings icon (gear icon) in the top-right corner
3. Select Background & Effects (or Virtual Background) from the left menu
4. Browse the pre-loaded background options or click the + icon to add your own image or video
5. Click on your desired background to select it
6. Enable Mirror my video if you want your video to appear flipped (optional)
7. Close the Settings window - your background is now set for future meetings

Changing Virtual Background During a Meeting

1. Join your Zoom meeting and ensure your video is turned on
2. Click the Stop Video arrow (^) in the bottom toolbar
3. Select Choose Virtual Background from the menu
4. Choose from available backgrounds or add a new one using the + icon
5. Click on your desired background to apply it immediately

Adding Custom Backgrounds

1. Download or create an image file (recommended size: 1920x1080 pixels, JPG or PNG format)
2. Follow steps 1-3 from "Setting Up Virtual Background Before a Meeting"
3. Click the + icon and select Add Image or Add Video
4. Navigate to your file location and select the image or video you want to use

Note

• Virtual backgrounds work best with a green screen, but Zoom can detect your outline without one
• Ensure you have adequate, even lighting for the best background effect
• System requirements: Dual-core processor or higher is recommended for optimal performance
• Some organizations may disable the virtual background feature due to security policies
• Avoid wearing clothing that matches your virtual background color, as it may cause visual glitches
• Video backgrounds may consume more computer resources and affect performance on older systems

Reference

• Zoom Support: Virtual background
• Zoom Support: Using green screen with virtual background
• Zoom Support: System requirements for virtual background